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ELEC5203: Topics in Power Engineering (2014 - Semester 2)

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Unit: ELEC5203: Topics in Power Engineering [not offered in 2021] (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Sathiakumar, Swamidoss
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Site(s) for this Unit: http://www.eelab.usyd.edu.au/ELEC5203
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: None.
Brief Handbook Description: This unit of study aims to give students an in depth understanding of modern power electronic equipment supporting the intelligent grid of the future and the associated electronic control. Electronic power systems rely on a complex system of methods and equipment for controlling the voltage levels and for maintaining the stability and security of the supply. It covers recent findings in the fundamental theory and the massive change of modern power electronic equipment and methods supporting the electricity grids. It also looks at the huge influence of computer-aided analysis of electric power systems and the effects of the deregulation of the industry.

The specific topics covered are as follows:

Introduction to power electronic systems and applications in the electrical grid, power semiconductors, reactive power control in power systems, flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), high-voltage direct-current transmission (HVDC), static reactive power compensator, dynamic voltage restorer, unified-power flow controller, line-commutated converters, thyristor-controlled equipment, phase-angle regulators, voltage-source converter based power electronic equipment, harmonics, power quality, passive and active filters, distributed generation, grid-interconnection of renewable energy sources, intelligent grid technologies.
Assumed Knowledge: ELEC3203 AND ELEC3204. Familiarity with basic mathematics and physics; competence with basic circuit theory and understanding of electricity grid equipment such as transformers, transmission lines and associated modeling; and fundamentals of power electronic technologies.
Lecturer/s: Dr Meng, Ke
Tutor/s: Wang Zhang ([email protected])

Anandalakshmi Thevampalayam Kaliappan ([email protected])
Timetable: ELEC5203 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Lecture 2.00 1 13
2 Tutorial 2.00 1 4
3 Independent Study 2.00 13
4 Laboratory 2.00 1 6
T&L Activities: Tutorial: Laboratories and tutorials alternate during the semester in the same session. Tutorials are devoted to practicing basic concepts covered in the lectures and understanding how more complex tasks can be handled by putting these basic concepts together.

Independent Study: Students need to do some preparation for tutorials and labs. they may also need to read the references to fully master the basic concepts covered in the lectures.

Laboratory: Laboratories and tutorials alternate during the semester in the same session. Labs are devoted to hands on experience with high voltage and real power system components. They will also present their results in the format of lab reports.

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Extensive design and analysis work is done in tutorials, labs, and assignments. Design (Level 4)
Gain an understanding of the basic concepts in power transmission and electricity networks. It builds on the previous knowledge gained in circuits and power electronics. Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
Gain an ability to apply their knowledge of circuit fundamentals and power electronics to solving transmission problems in the electricity networks. Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4)
Need to understand and follow lab procedures and conduct experiments under controlled conditions. Need to read IEEE and IET Research Papers and Articles on Industrial Standards and assimilate this knowledge in evaluating various solutions to transmission problems. Information Seeking (Level 2)
Students need to work in groups in the labs. They need to write lab reports, as well as do some research and present it in the form of assignment reports. Communication (Level 2)
Group work in labs and tutorials. Project and Team Skills (Level 2)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Design (Level 4)
1. Ability to employ harmonic generation equipment using a programmable 15kVA commercial inverter coupled with other programmable inverter units to filter the harmonics.
2. Ability to solve and design specific problems of reactive compensation and harmonic filtering using specific methodologies, knowledge and computer modelling tools.
3. Ability to solve transmission problems by identifying equipment needed, as well as the size and limitations of this equipment using computer experiments and previous case studies as drivers.
4. Ability to select and design the operation of a power electronic based reactive power compensator for a given transmission line problem using principles and methodologies developed.
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
5. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of reactive power compensation in transmission and distribution electricity networks to the extent of the material and work presented.
6. Proficiency in using equipment and associated programming tools to the extent of the work presented in the course.
7. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of technologies, principles and techniques used in specific power transmission problems, to the extent of the material presented throughout the course.
Information Seeking (Level 2)
8. Ability to undertake inquiry and knowledge development by identifying the limits of the available information on transmission problems and drawing on IEEE and IET research papers and articles on industrial standards to synthesise the most pertinent details.
Communication (Level 2)
9. Ability to make written and oral presentations in the form of assignments, tutorial presentations and lab reports using varied media aids and tools, to convey complex engineering material concisely and accurately.
Project and Team Skills (Level 2)
10. Ability to work in a team by assuming appropriate roles and balancing responsibilities so that a timely performance of project work can be achieved in a laboratory environment.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Lab Skills No 30.00 Multiple Weeks (Tuesday, 1 pm) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10,
2 Mid-Semester Exam No 20.00 Week 9 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
3 Final Exam No 50.00 Exam Period 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,
Assessment Description: Laboratory: exercises experiments on power system modelling, computation, and simulation (10%*3);

Mid-semester exam: test of knowledge learned in lecture and tutorial (20%);

Final exam: test of knowledge learned in lecture, tutorial, assignment, and lab (50%).

Late submissions: Required to submit lab report for assessment by 11:00- 13:00 of Tuesday of the week following the lab session. Normally, no submission will be accepted after the end of this time. Only in special circumstances (i.e. with a medical certificate from a GP) will submissions be accepted after the required submission deadline.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Recommended Reference/s: Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.
Online Course Content: http://www.eelab.usyd.edu.au/ELEC5203
Note on Resources: http://www.eelab.usyd.edu.au/ELEC5203

IEEE and IET Research Papers and Articles

Industrial Standards

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Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered
Electrical Engineering / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering / Commerce 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Bioelectronics) / Arts 2011, 2012
Electrical Engineering (Bioelectronics) / Science 2011, 2012
Electrical Engineering / Medical Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering / Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Computer) / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Computer) / Commerce 2012, 2013, 2014, 2011
Electrical Engineering (Computer) / Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Computer) / Law 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Power) / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Power) / Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications) / Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical / Project Management 2019+ 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical Engineering 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical / Arts (2022 and earlier) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Electrical / Arts 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical / Commerce 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Electrical / Commerce 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical / Project Management 2016, 2017, 2018
Electrical / Science 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical / Science - Mid Year 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical / Law 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Electrical / Law 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Electrical Engineering (mid-year) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Software Engineering (mid-year) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Project Management 2019+ 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Software Engineering 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Arts (2022 and earlier) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Software / Arts 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Commerce 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Software / Commerce 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Project Management 2016, 2017, 2018
Software / Science 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Science (Health) 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Software / Science - Mid Year 2023, 2024, 2025
Software / Law 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Software / Law 2023+ 2023, 2024, 2025
Software Engineering / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Software Engineering / Commerce 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Software Engineering / Medical Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Software Engineering / Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Master of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (2024 and earlier) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Master of Engineering (Software Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Engineering (Sustainability & Environmental Engineering) 2025+ 2025
Master of Professional Engineering (Accelerated) (Electrical) 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Master of Professional Engineering (Accelerated) (Electrical) 2025+ 2025
Master of Professional Engineering (Accelerated) (Power) 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical) 2025+ 2025
Master of Professional Engineering (Power) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Software / Science (Medical Science Stream) 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Computer Engineering / Commerce 2010
Electrical Engineering (Computer) / Medical Science 2011, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications) / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications) / Medical Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Design (Level 4) Yes 50.3%
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4) Yes 34.01%
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4) Yes 0%
Information Seeking (Level 2) Yes 7.15%
Communication (Level 2) Yes 4.29%
Professional Conduct (Level 2) No 0%
Project and Team Skills (Level 2) Yes 4.29%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.