Module content and teaching

Principal aims

This module aims to present the current (advanced) technologies and trends in development that will shape future electrical power systems. The students will gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the construction, operation and control principles of power systems. They will learn advanced analytical skills for examining different modes of operation in complex systems. The content includes the following main elements:

• Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Power
• Balanced and Unbalanced 3-Phase Systems
• Load Flow Analyses
• Fault and Stability Analyses of Power Systems
• Power System Protection Concepts and Techniques
• Operational Security Control
• Benefits and Limitations of Wide Area Measurement (WAM)
• Effects and Management of Distributed Generation
• Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and High Voltage DC
• (HVDC) Transmission Technologies
• Power Quality Monitoring and Management
• Renewable Power Penetration and Grid Code Requirements
• The Role of Energy Storage and the Development of Relevant
• Technologies
• Smart Grids: Communications and standards, demand response, wide area measurements, privacy and security.

Principal learning outcomes

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the complex operation and control of modern power systems, of the constitution of current and future generation power systems, of load flow, of stability and faults in current generation and of future power systems, including frequency and voltage control.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of power quality monitoring and control
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using wide area measurement systems
• Critically assess the effects of future renewable penetration and distributed generation, and the ability to apply advanced control techniques

Understand the latest research developments in smart grids.