Power Engineering

Lectures

 1. Introduction. Overview on the requirements in the course. Definitions, consumer and generator sign conventions, notions connected to power Review of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. Energy resources, power plant technologies, costs, efficiencies. Total and electric energy consumption on domestic and international level, power losses. Domestic power plants, large power plants in the world. Electricity transmission, distribution and consumer systems.

2. The structure, modeling and balanced operation of the electric power system Representation of network elements, single-phase (positive sequence) representations: generator, transformer, transmission line, external grid, short-circuit power, consumer.

3. Caculation methods for electric networks. Analysis of three-phase networks under symmetrical conditions, calculation of networks with multiple voltage levels, use of per units. Three-phase short-circuit. 

4. Asymmetrical operation of the network (2 lectures) Basic concept of symmetrical components. Criterion of symmetry, effect of asymmetry. Basic modelling of negative and zero sequence networks. Role of the return conductor. Asymmetries caused by electric traction. Calculation of three-phase networks under asymmetrical conditions 

5. Star point earthing methods Methods of earthing the star point and their effect on voltage rise, insulation level and ground currents during ground faults. Review of the international practice. 

6. Network operation Voltage drop and power conditions of a feeder, loading, voltage profile. Connection between voltage and reactive power, decrease of voltage drop and power losses. Surge impedance power of transmission lines. 

7. Control of electric power systems (2 lectures) Balance of powers, basic functions of operation, changes in system loading (demand), control of power and frequency. Effects of distributed generation and renewable sources on grid stability and control. 

8. Requirements of power supply quality Power quality characteristics (frequency, voltage change, swings, sags, asymmetry, harmonics). System losses. Quality and reliability of supply, corresponding indicies. Selected electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) limits. 

9. Price of electricity, tariff systems, basic concepts of electricity markets. Contents of the electricity bill for residential and industrial consumers. 

10. Household-sized power plants: connection requirements and effects on the network Technical conditions for connection of distributed power generation, the process of installation, financial settlement system, profitability 

11. Current development directions of the electric power industry Basics of electric railway traction systems. Concept of smart grids (network elements, operation, control). Smart metering. Demand-side management. Effects of e-mobility on the electric grid.

Seminars

1. Sizing of low-voltage networks (residential houses, office buildings, public networks).

2. Network calculation methods under symmetric conditions (common voltage level, per unit system).

3. Calculation of asymmetric faults by using symmetrical components

4. Voltage drop calculation in case of radial supply. Power factor correction.

5. Transformers in the network (heating, losses), star point earhing.

6. Electric railway traction as an asymmetric consumer system.

7. Sizing and network impact of household-scale solar power plants.

Laboratory exercises

a. Determination of ABCD chain parameters for the given model of a transmission line.

b. Determination of the characteristic impedance, propagation time, and power flow characteristics for the given model of a transmission line.

c. No-load, short-circuit, and arbitrary load measurements of an asynchronous machine.

d. No-load and short-circuit measurements of a synchronous machine, synchronization to the electric grid.

e. Protection of overhead lines against direct lightning strikes. Investigation of overvoltage and current caused by the inductive coupling of lightning impulses.

f. Investigation of corona loss on high-voltage conductors and fittings. Examination of the protection level of electrostatic protective clothing during work under high-voltage conditions.