Power Systems Analysis
| Module title | Power Systems Analysis |
|---|---|
| Module code | ENS3014 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Shuhang Shen (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
Resilient electrical power systems are an essential part of the infrastructure essential for a modern society. This module will deepen your insights into steady-state power system operation and develop your skills in power system analysis. Hand calculations on a simple 3-bus power network will help you understand simulation-aided power flow calculation on a large interconnected power network. Emphasis will be on the optimisation of the power system benefits in implementing economic dispatch and optimal power flow. An important aspect of this module is the delivery style, a mixture of theoretical and practical lectures and simulation-based laboratory exercises.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to develop your understanding of power system operation and its analysis from multiple core engineering perspectives. On successful completion of this module, you will attain the capability to calculate power flows in large power systems by iterative numerical approaches, be able to determine an optimal and economic dispatch of a power system and understand the criticalness of power system faults. This module will increase your confidence in performing an independent assessment of the steady-state operational conditions associated with a power system.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the principle of power system operation
- 2. Proficiently use analytical measures to describe steady-state operation in a large interconnected network
- 3. Apply iterative methods to manually calculate power flows in a simple network
- 4. Use simulation software to calculate power flow in complex interconnected networks
- 5. Use commercial software to perform economic dispatch of generation subject to network constraints
- 6. Perform optimal power flow studies on a model of a Smart Grid implemented on a commercial simulator
- 7. Understand different fault types in power system
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Demonstrate understanding of using mathematical approaches to solve engineering problems in power system
- 9. Understand the engineering philosophy behind the control measures used in a power system and assess the practical limits of each solution
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Increase independent engineering thinking and develop the problem-solving skills for real-world engineering
- 11. Be skilful in planning and implementing simulation-based validation work
- 12. Perform data analysis and deliver a professional presentation of the results and conclusions
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Power System Fundamentals:
- Basic circuit analysis techniques used in power system
- Phasor representation of AC
- Active power P and reactive power Q
- Single phase power vs three phase power
Power Flow Analysis:
- Per unit system
- Admittance matrix
- Basics of power flow: 3-bus power flow; bus classification (PQ, PV, slack); power flow equation
- Power flow in large system: formulation; Gauss-Seidel method; Newton-Raphson method; power transfer capability; transmission losses; contingency analysis
Operation of Modern Power Systems:
- Basics of power system economics; objective functions; power system constraints; optimisation problem; economic dispatch; optimal power flow; solution to economic dispatch and optimal power flow
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 110 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 24 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 6 | Laboratories |
| Guided Independent Study | 110 | Lecture and assessment preparation and associated reading |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 60 | 2 hours | 1-3, 5-7 | Exam marks |
| Coursework | 20 | 6-10 A4 slides | 1-12 | Written |
| Lab report | 20 | 3-6 A4 slides | 1-12 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | Written exam | 1-3, 5-7 | Referral/deferral period |
| Coursework | Coursework | 1-12 | Referral/deferral period |
| Lab report | Lab report | 1-12 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the failed or deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Grainger, J. & Stevenson, W. Power Systems: Analysis and Design McGraw-Hill Education 1994
- Weedy, B. M. Electric Power Systems 4th Wiley 1998
- Tleis, N. Power Systems Modelling and Fault Analysis: Theory and Practice 2nd Elsevier 2019
- Glover, J.D. and Sarma, M.S. Power System Analysis and Design Brooks-Cole/Thomson Learning 2002
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 12/03/2025 |
