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Course profile

Power System Planning and Reliability (ELEC7309)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Elec Engineering & Comp Science School

This course covers power system planning, operation and management issues as well as reliability in a deregulated environment. The course will give a comprehensive overview of power system reliability. Evaluation of generation, transmission and distribution system reliability and their impacts on system planning will be covered. It will address the factors affecting power system expansion planning, operation and management as well as reliability in an electricity market including system adequacy, security, ancillary services market, decision making and other management issues. Students are assessed by tutorial, assignments and examination.

ELEC7309 introduces students to the fundamental concepts of power system reliability and planning within the context of the competitive electricity market. The course is divided into two parts: planning and reliability.

  • Part I addresses power system planning issues, including economic concepts in planning, generation and transmission planning, and emerging techniques for distribution system planning.
  • Part II focuses on the reliability analysis of complex power systems. This section follows the traditional separation of reliability assessment into three hierarchical levels: generation, transmission, and distribution. It concludes with defining and calculating traditional reliability indicators (e.g., SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, EENS) across all three levels.

The course aims to equip students with advanced concepts in power system reliability and planning, providing valuable skills for professional practice in power systems operations and planning.

Changes in response to previous student feedback

  • Two teaching staff have been allocated in each case-based learning session for better interactions with the students.
  • Selected tutorial sessions will be recorded for future reference.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Fundamental knowledge on power systems analysis (ELEC4300 or ELEC4310) and basic probability principles.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

(ELEC4300 or ELEC4310) or ELEC7303

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ELEC7301 or ELEC7305

Course contact

Course coordinator

Dr Wayes Tushar

Consultation time: Monday, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Room 47-402)

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Teaching staff do not have access to the timetable system. If you need help with your timetable allocation of classes and learning sessions, please email timetables@eait.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:

  • Full name
  • Student ID
  • Course Code

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to enable you to:

- Apply fundamentals ofᅠreliability analysis to power systems and demonstrate the calculation of basic reliability indices for smallᅠexamples.

- Identify core reasons and conditions leading to the increased probability of failure of key network components, such as transformers and power lines.

- Explain theᅠsocio-economic reasoning behind defining minimum reliability standards and penalties for not meeting them.

- Use of reliability indicators for decision-making in power systemᅠplanning with a main focus on extension planning.

- Identify stakeholders in power systems and explain their economic motivations related to power system planning.

- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a range of common optimisation techniques used to solve power system planning problems.ᅠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Construct a basic modelling of power system components for reliability evaluation and planning

LO2.

Design methodologies to solve power system generation system reliability calculation and generation planning.

LO3.

Investigate calculation of reliability indices for combined generation and transmission systems.

LO4.

Formulate reliability concepts to transmission, distribution and interconnected systems, especially in planning.

LO5.

Design power systems reliability and planning in the context of the deregulated environment.

LO6.

Develop load forecasting models for short-term and long-term power system planning

LO7.

Construct transmission and generation expansion models for both regulated and deregulated power systems.

LO8.

Develop a simple peer-to-peer energy trading algorithm for distribution system planning analysis.

LO9.

Select suitable technology options for generation and transmission planning problems using cost-benefit analysis.

LO10.

Investigate challenges and tools for solving large-scale power system planning problems.

LO11.

Construct small-scale planning/reliability problems using power system packages and toolboxes.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Tutorial/ Problem Set Assignments 40% Individual

Assignment 1 16/08/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 2 30/08/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 3 11/10/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 4 18/10/2024 3:00 pm

Examination Final exam during exam period
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
60% Individual

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Assignments

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
40% Individual
Due date

Assignment 1 16/08/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 2 30/08/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 3 11/10/2024 3:00 pm

Assignment 4 18/10/2024 3:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11

Task description

Task Description:

Four assignments will be given for the whole course. The weight of each assignment be 10%. Thus, the total weight for four assignments is 40%. 

Assignment 1: Assignment 1 will be based on the Power System Planning part of the course covering the topic of Power System Economics and Transmission Planning.

Assignment 2: Assignment 2 will be based on the Power System Planning part of the course covering the topic of Generation Planning and Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading.

Assignment 3: Assignment 3 will be based on the Power System Reliability part of the course covering the topic of Generation Reliability analysis using the PowerFactory tool.

Assignment 4: Assignment 4 will be based on the Power System Reliability part of the course covering the topic of Generation, Transmission, and Composite System Reliability.

Students will get at least one week time to work on their assignments. All the assignment questions will be made available via Blackboard.

Criteria & Marking:

Understanding of the course content will be tested by short answers, problem-solving and PowerFactory Simulations.

Submission guidelines

All assignments will be submitted online via Blackboard unless specified otherwise.


Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

100% Late Penalty after 1 hour grace period. The one-hour grace period is recorded from the time the submission is due. 

Marked assessment will be released within 3 days of the due date to permit students to progress with follow up assignments.

If there are exceptional circumstances, an exemption may be approved and may involve submitting/discussing your work as it stands. Exemptions must be requested as an extension with a note specifying exemption via my.UQ.

Final exam during exam period

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
60% Individual
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09

Task description

Task Description:

The final exam will examine the full course, i.e. reliability and planning sections of the course.

This final exam will be an on-campus invigilated exam. 

  • The final exam will be scheduled at a fixed time for all students – i.e. students will complete the exam simultaneously. 
  • Students will be required to use the Casio fx-82 series or UQ-approved and labelled non-programmable calculator for this exam. 
  • Students are not allowed to use computers or any software to solve the problems. No marks will be given if the students use a computer to solve problems.
  • Assessment types will be from the following items: Short Answer, and Problem solving. The exam will be a closed-book exam.
  • Further details will be discussed and announced during the semester lecture/tutorial scheduled events.
  • To pass the course (GP 4 and above) the students must get at least 45% in the FINAL EXAM.

Criteria & Marking:

Understanding of the course content will be tested by short answers, short essays and problem-solving.

Students are required to explain their procedures and algorithms with the formula/equation number used for each section of problems.

Hurdle requirements

To pass the course, you must achieve at least 45% in the final exam. If you do not achieve at least 45% in the final exam, your final grade will be capped at a 3.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Serious deficiencies in quality of performance in relation to learning objectives

2 (Fail) 20 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: Clear deficiencies in performance, but evidence that some basic requirements have been met

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying all the requirements for a Pass: As evidenced by failing to successfully complete basic assessment tasks

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To successfully pass the course (GP 4), the student should be able to demonstrate the application of fundamental concepts of power systems reliability and planning in at least one of the three main fields, generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power. This includes the problem solving in the area of reliability assessment and planning and forecasting methodologies.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a credit (GP 5), in addition to criteria for a GP of 4, the student should show the ability to apply the fundamental concepts of reliability and planning for at least two of the three main fields, generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power. This includes the problem solving in the area of reliability assessment and planning and forecasting methodologies.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a distinction (GP 6), in addition to criteria for a GP of 5, the student should show the ability to apply the fundamental concepts of reliability and planning for all of the three main fields, generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power. In addition the student should demonstrate basic risk management, decision making and engineering economics skills applied to power system planning. This includes the problem solving in the area of reliability assessment and planning and forecasting methodologies.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: To obtain a high distinction (GP 7), in addition to criteria for a GP of 6, the student should demonstrate the ability of original thinking and/or cross migration of ideas from other areas of knowledge by solving advanced level application oriented problems. This includes the problem solving in the area of reliability assessment and planning and forecasting methodologies.

Additional course grading information

Percentages will be rounded to the nearest integer before grades are calculated. For example, 84.5% will be rounded to 85% and 84.4% will be rounded to 84%.

The course coordinator reserves the right to adjust the raw marks up but not down.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Having Troubles?

If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material you should seek help. Speak to the course teaching staff.

If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help, for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).

Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.

Assessment tasks prohibiting the use of AI or MT

All the assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The commercial software useful for this course is available in most of the computer labs of the School of EECS.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13

Lecture

Lecture Series

The Lecture Series will cover the following topics:

  • Introduction and Engineering Economics for Power System Planning
  • Transmission Expansion Planning
  • Generation Expansion Planning
  • Overview of Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading for Distribution System
  • Introduction to Power System Reliability
  • Generation Reliability
  • Generation and Transmission Reliability
  • Composite System Reliability
  • Distribution System Reliability Evaluation
  • Transmission and Distribution System

Several Guest Lectures will also be organised on the broader industry practices in power system planning and reliability.

All Lecturers will be delivered face-to-face in the classroom. The recording of the lectures will be made available on the same day of the Lecture.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10

Multiple weeks

From Week 2 To Week 13

Case-based learning

Case-based Learning Sessions

  • Each 2-hour Case-based Learning Activity session will allow students to explore the topics covered in the Lecture Series and address power system planning and reliability problems alongside teaching staff.
  • DigSILENT PowerFactory will be demonstrated, enabling students to simulate real-world power system reliability issues as part of their learning and assignments.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: