Course Director: Dr. Tom Overbye
Next offering: April 30 – May 2, 2024
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Description
The design and operation of large-scale electric grid requires a variety of different engineering studies and simulations. With the rapid grid transitions over the last several years, including the addition of large amounts of renewable and distributed resources, doing this analysis requires leveraging state-of-the-art engineering tools. The purpose of this 21 hour short course is to provide in-depth coverage of how one such tool, PowerWorld Simulator (Simulator), can be used to maximize engineering productivity in the area of electric grid planning and operations. The course philosophy is to provide a practical, hands-on approach of both describing key electric grid analysis techniques and showing how they are effectively done using Simulator. Analysis topics covered in the class include an introduction to interconnected electric grids, how they are modeled for power system analysis studies, power flow, sensitivity analysis, contingency analysis, economic electric grid operation, optimal power flow, electric grid markets, power system stability, and power system time-domain simulations. The operation of Simulator is thoroughly described, with coverage of not only how to quickly accomplish tasks, but also the design philosophy used in the development of Simulator and some of its most recent features. Collectively the three course instructors have decades of experience in Simulator development, in doing electric grid analysis, and in engineering education. (Hours: CEU 2.1, PDH 21).
Who Should Attend
The course is designed to provide in-depth coverage of power system analysis using PowerWorld Simulator (Simulator). It is well suited for a variety of different audiences. Certainly one key group is engineers new to the electric power industry who would like to rapidly gain proficiency using one of the best tools in the industry. Yet the course should also be beneficial to existing Simulator users who would like to gain a more in-depth understanding of its design and operation, and see some its newest features. A third audience is engineers with more power systems experience who might use other tools, but would like to gain an understanding of how the strengths of Simulator can be used synergistically. A fourth audience is engineering researchers, including those at the national labs, postdocs and graduate students, who would like to learn how to more effectively leverage the power of commercial tools in their research. A fifth audience is academics who would like to better utilize state-of-the-art tools in engineering education and research.
This course counts toward the Texas A&M Certificate in Electrical Power Engineering.
Topics
- Introduction to Electric Grid Analysis with PowerWorld Simulator
- Power Flow Analysis
- PowerWorld Model Explorer and Case Information Displays
- Oneline Diagrams and Basic Electric Grid Visualization
- Electric Grid Data Aggregation Including Areas, Zones, Injection Groups and Interfaces
- Automating PowerWorld using Auxiliary Files
- Contingency Analysis and Linear Sensitivities
- Electricity Markets, Optimal Power Flow (OPF), Security-Constrained OPF and Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs)
- Advanced Power System Visualization
- Electric Grid Stability Analysis
- Longer Term Time Domain Analysis Including Weather Integration
- Automating PowerWorld using SimAuto
- Large-Scale Electric Grid Case Studies
Logistics:
Date:
April 30 – May 2, 2024
Location:
The short course will be held in person at the Center for Infrastructure Renewal, RELLIS Campus.
Registration:
Registration fee is $1,795. Discount of 25% is available for employees of Smart Grid Center member companies. For more information on the discount, contact SGC@tamu.edu
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Instructors
Tom Overbye, Ph.D. is a Professor and holder of the O’Donnell Foundation Chair III in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU), and Director of TEES Smart Grid Center. He received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before starting his academic career he was employed with Madison Gas and Electric Company, working in their planning and operations departments. He is the original developer of PowerWorld Simulator (a widely used power system planning tool), a co-founder of PowerWorld Corporation, and an author of a widely used Power System Analysis and Design book. He is a recipient of the IEEE Power and Energy Society Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award, an EEE Fellow, a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, and was responsible for the initial development of dynamics analysis in PowerWorld Simulator.
Matt Davis received BS from Louisiana Tech in 2002, and his MS and PhD degrees from the University of Illinois. He has been an employee of PowerWorld Corporation since 2009, where he has worked in software development and customer support.
Tracy Rolstad is an engineer with Trina Solar. He received his BSEE from the University of Idaho and a graduate diploma from the Naval War College (College of Naval Command and Staff). He started his career in power systems as a Reactor Operator and Engineering Watch Supervisor in the United States Navy (onboard USS Hawkbill) serving 22 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve. His experience in power system planning and modeling began at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center and then developed and evolved at the Bonneville Power Administration (technical operations), as a Principal Engineer at Utility System Efficiencies and later at several other companies. Tracy has served as the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Technical Studies Subcommittee Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Additionally, he served as the WECC RAS and Relay Workgroup Chair addressing modeling issues related to 2011 AZ to CA outage. He is a member of the IEEE and the VFW.
For More Information
- For more information about this course, or other upcoming Texas A&M electric power short courses contact Tom Overbye at overbye@tamu.edu