Short Course on

Power Network Essentials

Mohamed A El-Sharkawi and Mark J. Damborg

Department of Electrical Engineering

University of Washington

Seattle, WA 98195

Course Description

Many engineers in the electric power industry have backgrounds in fields other than electric power engineering. Yet, they need to be familiar with the electric power grid and all its operations to be effective in their rank. This course is designed to give those engineers a clear understanding of the core material of electric power systems.

The Power Network Essentials course reviews the electrical power grid from its early history, its core technology and up through its current challenges.  The goal is to give engineering professionals a broad understanding of power system technology with a detailed view of critical issues such as resources, environmental impact and network operation as well as future trends.

Beginning with the fundamentals of three-phase AC, the course reviews the energy resources and the types of power plants in use today.  After reviewing all other components in an electrical grid, the course discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with environmental issues and renewable forms of electrical energy as well as power quality and safety.  The course then focuses on electrical networks and discusses critical issues of the control of power flow as well as protection, stability and economics. An in-depth review of control centers leads to a discussion of blackouts and energy trading.

This course is taught by electrical engineering professors from the University of Washington. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a copy of the book written by one of the professors and a completion certificate.

Course Topics

· The History of the Electric Power industry

· Fundamentals of Three-Phase AC Circuits

· Energy Resources and Power Plants

· Components of Electric Power Systems

· Environmental Impact of Traditional and Renewable Resources

· Power Quality and Electric Safety

· Control of Power Flow, Economic Operation and Protection

· Power System Control and Stability

· Interconnection Failures and Blackouts

· Deregulation and Power Trading

Benefits

· Participants will be able to understand the power system technology and the electric energy industry

· Managers completing this course are expected to be comfortably conversant in this industry and better equipped to make more informed decisions