Course coordinator
Associate Professor Richard Yan
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Elec Engineering & Comp Science School
Covers renewable energy technologies around the world; current grid codes and standards and the major issue of intermittency; key technical challenges associated with renewable energy integration and ways to overcome them.
ELEC7313 will cover renewable energy (especially the most implemented new renewable technologies such as wind, solar PV and battery storage) integration challenges faced by power system operator, transmission-distribution utilities, energy retailors and end-users. This course will first focus on analysis and evaluation methods to clarify the techno-economic issues related to high renewable penetration, and then potential solutions will be introduced. The content is aimed at students with basic understanding of power system and renewable energy operation principles and is organised in a logical sequence as follows:
- Part 1: Generator level: Traditional synchronous machine technology versus new inverter-based generation technology (PV, wind and battery) including grid codes; Comparison of these technologies which paves the way for integration challenges at the network level;ﾠBasic analytical tool revisit (Power Flow);
- Part 2: High-Voltage Network level: A range of topics related to the core of large-scale network operation including frequency stability, system strength, sub-synchronous oscillation, economic dispatch, recent incidents and rule changes; A case study of the 2016 South Australian blackout to address the current integration challenges;ﾠ
- Part 3: Low-Voltage Network level: Residential roof-top PV and electric vehicle-related issues such as voltage rise, reverse power, voltage regulation, line capacity limits, grid visibility and battery control; and smart grid solutions.
The course will be complemented by guest lectures from local industry, covering their experiences, approaches and outlooks on renewable integration, with a special Australian focus.
Response to student feedback: Based on students' feedback from last year, assignments and their submission dates are adjusted, so this change will make sure assessments are not all due in the last week of the semester.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Fundamental knowledge on power systems analysis.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ELEC4310
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Richard Yan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Sessions for laboratory experiments will be arranged by the teaching team during the semester. Please regularly check Blackboard announcement and your email.
Aims and outcomes
The overall aimﾠof the course is to expose students to the technical challenges and corresponding solutions related to renewable energy integration into the existing power networks, especially the challenges and solutions associated with the most popular wind,ﾠsolar PV and battery storage technologies due to their non-synchronous and highly variable characteristics. The corresponding development trend will also be introduced.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Relate Renewable Energy and its integration to the techno-economic, environmental and social aspects of current international trends and developments
LO2.
Explain characteristics and control techniques of the traditional power generation and the new inverter based renewable generation
LO3.
Analyse the differences between traditional generators and inverter based generators with the context of integration impacts on the existing power networks
LO4.
Analyse characteristics of traditional synchronous machines, solar PV systems and wind generators through laboratory experiments (or demonstration) and effectively process the experimental data to reveal the working principles of each generation technology.
LO5.
Identify and evaluate the main challenges and solutions of renewable integration from transmission and distribution system perspectives.
LO6.
Assess PV integration impacts as a professional electrical engineer in a team environment and develop group skills such as effective collaboration and communication.
LO7.
Simulate and assess renewable integration impacts using industry software
LO8.
Explain and generalise how and why high renewable penetration can affect traditional network operation with respect to frequency stability, system strength, subsynchronous oscillation, economic dispatch, recent incidents and rule changes, voltage regulation, and capacity limitation
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Assignment - Renewable Generator
|
9% |
13/04/2026 2:00 pm |
| Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Assignment - Network Impact
|
11% |
11/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Assessment
|
30% |
The Practical Assessment will be scheduled to complete in 3 hours (about 1 hour for each experimental aspect) for each student. Week 12 Mon - Week 13 Fri
More information on assessment schedules for individual students will be available on Blackboard before Week 12. The students should frequently check emails and Blackboard announcements. |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
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
Assignment - Renewable Generator
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 9%
- Due date
13/04/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L06, L07, L08
Task description
This assignment will focus on renewable generator technologies. Matlab and Simulink software will be used in this assignment. Assignment materials will be provided through Blackboard.
The grouping will be arranged during the semester. Only one group member must submit the assignment online through UQ Blackboard on behalf of the group. All group members are responsible for ensuring the final submission occurs before due date.
Group peer assessment is optional. Ratings must be provided as percentages (out of 100%) for each category: Communication, Timeliness, and Contribution. For example, in a group of two students, Student A may rate themselves as 50% Communication, 70% Timeliness and 80% Contribution, and their team member as 50% Communication, 30% Timeliness and 20% Contribution. Peer assessment must be submitted individually and confidentially to the course coordinator via email before the assessment due date. NOTE: if there is no peer review submitted by the due date, it will be assumed that all group members have contributed equally. Where there are significant discrepancies between ratings, the lecturer or demonstrators will discuss with the impacted students. Please raise any concerns about group member contributions as early as possible, supported with appropriate evidence.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Group online submission through Blackboard. Only one group member must submit the assignment online through UQ Blackboard on behalf of the group. All group members are responsible for ensuring the final submission occurs before due date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 days as feedback will be provided within 14 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment - Network Impact
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 11%
- Due date
11/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
This assignment will focus on the impacts of renewable generators on power grids. PSSE and Python software will be used in this assignment. Assignment materials will be provided through Blackboard.
The grouping will be arranged during the semester. Only one group member must submit the assignment online through UQ Blackboard on behalf of the group. All group members are responsible for ensuring the final submission occurs before due date.
Group peer assessment is optional. Ratings must be provided as percentages (out of 100%) for each category: Communication, Timeliness, and Contribution. For example, in a group of two students, Student A may rate themselves as 50% Communication, 70% Timeliness and 80% Contribution, and their team member as 50% Communication, 30% Timeliness and 20% Contribution. Peer assessment must be submitted individually and confidentially to the course coordinator via email before the assessment due date. NOTE: if there is no peer review submitted by the due date, it will be assumed that all group members have contributed equally. Where there are significant discrepancies between ratings, the lecturer or demonstrators will discuss with the impacted students. Please raise any concerns about group member contributions as early as possible, supported with appropriate evidence.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Group online submission through Blackboard. Only one group member must submit the assignment online through UQ Blackboard on behalf of the group. All group members are responsible for ensuring the final submission occurs before due date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 days as feedback will be provided within 14 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Practical Assessment
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
The Practical Assessment will be scheduled to complete in 3 hours (about 1 hour for each experimental aspect) for each student. Week 12 Mon - Week 13 Fri
More information on assessment schedules for individual students will be available on Blackboard before Week 12. The students should frequently check emails and Blackboard announcements.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Three laboratory exercises are scheduled from Week 4 to Week 11. After this learning period, the Practical Assessment will be conducted in Weeks 12 and 13.
This Practical Assessment is based on the three laboratory exercises conducted over the semester. Students must perform laboratory experiments and analyse characteristics of traditional synchronous machines (10%), solar PV systems (10%) and wind generators (10%). During the assessment, students will perform different tasks, including physical wiring of electrical circuits in a group, conducting individual experiments, orally answering experimental questions and completing written responses for the given questions.
All lab activities are performed under the instructions of lecturer and/or demonstrators.
The Practical Assessment will be scheduled to complete in 3 hours (about 1 hour for each experimental aspect) for each student. Due to equipment constraints, student availability and experimental nature of this assessment, the Practical Assessment may be scheduled in sub-sessions (1 hour for each experiment per sub-session). The lecturer and teaching demonstrators will schedule this Practical Assessment during the semester and the schedule will be published in course Blackboard site before Week 12.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the assessment to the lecturer or demonstrators in the end of the scheduled Practical Assessment sessions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
As time is provided within the practical class to complete all work, no extension are permitted for the assessment submission.
If you are unable to attend a scheduled lab session, you need to apply for an extension via my.UQ. If approved, makeup sessions will be offered.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
As time is provided within the practical class to complete all work, no late submissions will be accepted and a 100% late penalty applies.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L08
Task description
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must achieve at least 40% on the final exam to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is 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: Some engagement with the assessment tasks; however no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts in the field of study |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Deficiencies in understanding the fundamental concepts of the field of study Inability to identify data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Presents inappropriate or unsupported arguments Inability to apply knowledge and skills Communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete, confusing and not appropriate to the conventions of the discipline |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study Attempts to identify data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Presents undeveloped arguments Emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills Communicates information or ideas with limited clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students must achieve at least 40% on the final exam to pass the course. Adequate knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study Identifies data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Develops routine arguments or decisions Acceptable application of knowledge and skills Uses some of the conventions of the discipline to communicate appropriately |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Good knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study Considered evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification Effective application of knowledge and skills Uses the conventions of the discipline to communicate at an effective level |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Substantial knowledge of fundamental concepts of the field of study Critical evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Perceptive insights in identifying, generating and synthesising competing arguments or perspectives Extensive application of knowledge and skills Uses the conventions of the discipline to communicate at a professional level |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Mastery of content Expert and critical evaluation of data, cases, problems and their solutions, and implications Significant and sophisticated insights in identifying, generating and synthesising competing arguments or perspectives Original, novel and/or creative application of knowledge and skills Exploits the conventions of the discipline to communicate at an expert level |
Additional course grading information
The overall final marks will be rounded first, and then the final grade will be determined. For example, if the overall final mark is 84.5, then it will be rounded to 85, and as a result the student will be graded as a 7.
Students must achieve at least 40% on the final exam to pass the course. If 40% in the final exam is not achieved, then the grade will be capped at a 3.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Handouts
Any handouts including lecture notes,ﾠpractical experiments, assignments and all other materials will be available through course Blackboard site.ﾠIt is the student’s responsibility to make these documents available for their use.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Applied Class |
Applied Class learning (Problem solving, group project and discussion) Students will be working in groups on a given topic (or simulation) related to renewable generator technologies and grid integration of renewable energy during the Applied Classes. There will be time for students to perform theoretical calculation and numerical simulation during the Applied Classes, and the Lecturer and teaching assistances will help students and provide feedback on their work starting from Week 2. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
Lecture |
Lectures Apart from the normal activities, guest lecturers from local industry and other areas of UQ will be invited to present industry activities on renewable energy integration. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L08 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Lab Experiment (or Demonstration) Practicals focus on analysing characteristics of traditional synchronous machines, solar PV systems and wind generators through laboratory experiments or demonstrations. Students will practice laboratory experiments with lab demonstrators during Week 4 to Week 11, and Practical Assessment will be conducted during Week 12 and Week 13. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08 |
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: