In this course, a number of specialised topics that are of relevance to power system research & current industry needs will be covered. Students are expected to have a good understanding of power system analysis principles covered in a typical power systems undergraduate course. The topics covered in this course may vary from year to year depending on the staff and industry interest. This year, the topics to be covered are: renewable energy generation, solar and wind power, grid integration, introduction to microgrid, demand response management, energy storage, power electronics applications in power systems: HVDC/FACTS/STATCOM.
1. Renewable Energy Generation and its Grid Integration
Overview of renewable energy; Renewable energy generation; Renewable energy landscape in New Zealand; Solar photovoltaic system; Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms; Wind energy conversion system; Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) for wind energy; Grid integration of renewable energy; Buck/Boost converter; Control of wind turbine; Challenges in grid integration of renewable energy.
2. Power Electronics Applications in Power Systems
Overview of power electronics applications in power systems; High Voltage DC (HVDC) Transmission; Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS); Static VAR compensators, static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), Distribution static synchronous compensators (D-STATCOMs), Load compensation & voltage control using D-STATCOM.
3. Microgrid & Energy Management
Current Status, trends and challenges; Distributed generation; AC/DC micro and nano grids; Demand side management, Droop control, Grid services, Energy storage technologies.
4. Power System Relaying Practices
Protective current transformers (CTs) & potential transformers (PTs), Circuit breakers, Basic tripping circuit; Classification of relays based on technology, Operating principles & protective functions; AC generator & motor protection scheme; Transformer protection scheme; Line protection schemes; Co-ordination of protective schemes; Smart Grid challenges and opportunities for Protective Relaying to address Distributed Generation (DG) and Smart Grids.