Energy & Power Systems Courses
Primer on the Planning and Operation of Large-Scale Electric Grids | February 4-6, 2025
The goal of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction for those without an in-depth electric power engineering background on how such electric grids are designed and operated, and on how they are likely to change in the future. The electric grid of the past, which was primarily power by large-scale fossil-fuel generators, is no longer a reality and the current system is rapidly changing. The integration of vast amounts of renewable generation resources along with the addition of new technologies such as energy storage and large amounts of digital technology supporting its design and operation, also known as the smart grid, are presenting many new opportunities and challenges.
Fundamentals of Electric Transmission Planning | February 18-20, 2025
High-voltage electric grids are some of the world’s most complex machines, whose present high levels of reliability have been achieved through careful planning. This three-day, in-person course will provide comprehensive coverage of the processes used in this planning. The course philosophy is to provide a practical, hands-on approach to describing electric transmission grid planning, with abundant practical examples illustrating each stage in the process. Particular attention will be given to studies driven by regulatory processes relevant to utilities in North America, such as those by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Throughout the course, concepts will be illustrated using common industrial planning tools, including PowerWorld Simulator, with some hands-on exercises. Collectively, the three instructors have decades of experience in electric power system planning, software tool development, and engineering education.
Electric Grid Impacts of Geomagnetic Disturbances | March 18-19, 2025
Geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), caused by solar coronal mass ejections, have the potential to significantly impact the operation of the high-voltage electric grid by causing geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). Over the last decade, there has been significant research, industry interest, and regulatory concern about the impact of GMDs on the high-voltage electric grid. The purpose of this two-day short course is to put the GMD issue into proper perspective by providing a comprehensive coverage of what is currently known about the impact of GMDs on the grid, the tools being used for their assessment in planning and operations and the current areas of research.
The course philosophy is to provide in-depth coverage of the topics but to do so using a practical, hands-on approach. For example, the course provides a detailed consideration of what is needed to do the GMD assessments required for NERC TPL-007-4, and also contains an interactive, real-time simulation of the operational impacts of GMDs on the grid. Throughout the course, concepts will be illustrated using common industrial tools including those from EPRI and PowerWorld Simulator. Collectively the three course instructors have wide experience in this area doing electric power system studies, software tool development, research and engineering education (Hours: CEU 1.4, PDH 14).