University of Technology Sydney

48572 Electrical Power Systems

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Electrical and Data Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 48520 Electronics and Circuits

Recommended studies: an understanding of electric circuit theory is essential to this subject, as well as the solution to ordinary differential equations. It is assumed that the students have prior knowledge in the following: Complex numbers and its application to the analysis of AC circuits. Circuit analysis. Fundamentals of electrical machines. MATLAB programming to solve simple problems

Description

The subject introduces the basic methods used in the analysis and design of electric power networks. Its purpose is to give students a working knowledge of modern power system theory and practice. Techniques introduced in earlier circuit analysis subjects are further developed and applied to power system problems.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Apply models in power system apparatus for the purpose of power system modelling and analysis. (D.1)
2. Develop techniques for the analysis of power systems under steady-state, transient and faulted conditions. (D.1)
3. Apply technical terms and notation used in the power system industry. (D.1)
4. Use modern computer packages for the analysis of power systems. (D.1)
5. Be familiar with specialised laboratory equipment for testing power system parameters and behaviour. (D.1)
6. Convey technical information in a written form relevant to the industry. (E.1)
7. Independently manage knowledge from other sources beyond the classroom. (D.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

  • 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
  • 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
  • 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
  • 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

Teaching and learning strategies

Class time is used for quizzes, seminars, tutorials and laboratories. Seminars will further explain the online materials, starting from system components and building up to their interconnection and the analysis of overall system behaviour. There will be a short closed-book quiz (30 minutes) at the beginning of some seminars. Feedback on quizzes will be provided during tutorial sessions. Feedback on other assessment tasks is also available on request. Tutorials will concentrate on reinforcing fundamental concepts through drill problems and design exercises. Laboratories will reinforce fundamental concepts and provide opportunities for verification of power system behaviour from model predictions. Students are required to complete pre-class tasks such as reviewing knowledge, reading the textbook and practising problems to build a strong foundational knowledge.

Seminars

Students should learn the new content using the available online materials before attending the seminars. Seminars will contain "whole-class activities" including group discussion, group work on solving realistic problems which will help students to follow the textbook content.

Tutorials

Tutorial problems are provided online and will focus on the application of the theoretical study. Students should attempt the provided problems before coming to the tutorials. Tutorials will be used to discuss any difficulties that students encountered during preparation activities.

Labs

Laboratories are structured sessions that allow students to put into practice the theory developed in seminars using specialized equipment or virtual lab tools. Students will need to collaborate and work in a group of two. Laboratories generally involve preparatory work. Experienced laboratory staff will assist in the running of the laboratories and provide immediate feedback to students.

There will be a consultation time available each week with the coordinator and students will be able to discuss their progress in detail.

Content (topics)

The subject is structured into two modules, and content is organized as follows:

  • System Components and Steady-State. You will develop a knowledge of 3-phase power systems, voltage, current and power relationships, load and generation characteristics, 3-phase power transformers, capacitance, inductance and equivalent circuits of power lines and cables, calculation of faults using symmetrical components.
  • Transient Analysis. You will develop an understanding of computer analysis of 3-phase switching transients, and 2-machine electromechanical transients

Introduction to Power system
Overview of power system -power in single phase AC system - complex power -three phase systems - power in three phase balanced system - power transformers -equivalent circuit of a transformer - auto transformers -tap changing transformers.

Per unit system, power flow and load modelling
Per unit system with applications -power flow between two nodes -load modelling concepts and different load models.

Transmission line parameters
Resistance of the transmission line - inductance of single conductor - inductance of single phase two wire system -inductance of 3 phase system -inductance of stranded and bundled conductors - double circuits - capacitance of two wire conductor -capacitance of three phase line - effect of earth on line capacitance - capacitance of bundled conductors - capacitance of double circuit.

Transmission line model
Short transmission line model - medium length line model or nominal π model - long transmission line model - voltage and current waves - surge impedance loading of the line.

Symmetrical components and fault analysis
Symmetrical faults
Analysis of three phase symmetrical faults - determination of short circuit capacity (SCC) - fault analysis using Z-bus matrix - numerical examples.

Symmetrical components
Basics of symmetrical components - sequence impedance of a star connected load - sequence impedance of a transmission line - sequence impedance of synchronous generator - sequence network of a loaded synchronous generator.

Unsymmetrical faults
Analysis of different types of three phase unsymmetrical faults-Z-bus matrix using symmetrical components - fault analysis using Z-bus matrix - numerical examples.

Power system transients
Transients with AC source -re-striking voltage -double frequency transients -traveling waves on transmission lines -traveling waves in open end line and short circuited line -line terminated through a resistance.

Transient stability
Swing equation -single machine on infinite bus (SMIB) model -rotor angle response to sudden change in power input -equivalent single machine system -stability based on equal area criterion -stability during sudden input power change -stability during 3 phase fault -numerical example.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online tutorial practice

Intent:

To provide the opportunity to practice small exercises relating to the tutorial content.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 2: Tutorial quiz

Intent:

To provide with the opportunity to demonstrate consolidated knowledge of tutorial content.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

2 hours

Assessment task 3: Group laboratory assignments

Intent: To test skill and understanding of complex laboratory apparatus, and to verify theoretical predictions of power system behaviour.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 3, 5, 6 and 7

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1 and E.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, individually assessed
Weight: 24%

Assessment task 4: Case study assignment

Intent:

Students apply the knowledge learnt in the subject to analyse an authentic case study which demonstrates their understanding of power systems

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1 and E.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 26%
Length:

3000 words

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Required texts

Grainger, J. J. and Stevenson, W. D., Power System Analysis, McGraw-Hill, 1994.

References

Elgerd, O.I., Electric Energy Systems Theory, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Saadat, H., Power System Analysis, McGraw-Hill Primis custom publishing.

Nagsarkar, T.K. and Sukhija, M.S., Power System Analysis, Oxford University Press.

Students are advised not to restrict themselves to the above mentioned textbooks but to refer to books in the power system discipline to widen their knowledge in the subject.