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Unit outline_

ELEC3203: Electricity Networks

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides an introduction to electrical power engineering and lays the groundwork for more specialised units. It assumes a competence in first year mathematics (in particular, the ability to work with complex numbers), in elementary circuit theory and in elements of introductory physics. A revision will be carried out of the use of phasors in steady state ac circuit analysis and of power factor and complex power. The unit comprises an overview of modern electric power system with particular emphasis on generation and transmission. The following specific topics are covered. The use of three phase systems and their analysis under balanced conditions. Transmission lines: calculation of parameters, modelling, analysis. Transformers: construction, equivalent circuits. Generators: construction, modelling for steady state operation. The use of per unit system. The analysis of systems with a number of voltage levels. The load flow problem: bus and impedance matrices, solution methods. Power system transient stability. The control of active and reactive power. Electricity markets, market structures and economic dispatch. Types of electricity grids, radial, mesh, networks. Distribution systems and smart grids.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study assumes a competence in 1000 level MATH (in particular, the ability to work with complex numbers), in elementary circuit theory and in basic electromagnetics.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gregor Verbic, gregor.verbic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
2-hour timed Canvas quiz
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Pre-lab work 1
3.75% Week 03 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Pre-lab work 2
3.75% Week 07 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Lab report 1
3.75% Week 08 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
In-semester test Exam
Timed Canvas Quiz
10% Week 09 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Pre-lab work 3
3.75% Week 10 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab report 2
3.75% Week 11 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Pre-lab work 4
3.75% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab report 4
3.75% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Lab report 3
3.75% Week 14 (STUVAC) n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

  • Final exam: The final exam is a closed book exam. A minimum of 40% is required to pass the exam.
  • Lab Report: Laboratory practice and report.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Unit overview; 2. Electric power systems Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 AC circuit analysis and complex power Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Review of transformers Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Three phase transformer connections Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 1. Construction of overhead lines and cables; 2. Calculation of transmission line inductance Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 1. Bundling of conductors; 2. Geometric mean distance and geometric mean radius; 3. Calculation transmission line and capacitance Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Transmission line models and performance Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 1. The formulation of the load flow problem; 2. The bus admittance matrix; 3. MatPower basics Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 1. Solution of non-linear algebraic equations using Gauss-Seidel method; 2. Setting up the load flow equations Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 1. Newton-Raphson method; 2. Special load flow solution techniques Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Generation Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Electricity markets and power system control Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Revision Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • J. Duncan Glover, Mulukutla S. Sarma, Thomas Overbye, Power System Analysis & Design (5th Edition). CENGAGE Learning, 2012. 9781111425791.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. write a report to communicate complex project specific information concisely and accurately and to the degree of specificity required by the engineering project at hand
  • LO2. work in a group, manage or be managed by a leader in roles that optimise the contribution of all members while showing initiative and receptiveness so as to jointly achieve engineering project goals in a laboratory environment
  • LO3. solve problems specific to the operation of engineering power systems by undertaking information investigation and selection and adopting a system based approach
  • LO4. understand the per unit systems to the extent of the course content
  • LO5. perform analysis using per unit systems
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of specific tools such as load flow software and the information provided by such tools to the extent of exercises and projects set throughout the course
  • LO7. examine the relationship between load flow software and other computer-based software used in modern power systems, by looking into the concepts, principles and techniques employed
  • LO8. apply fundamental scientific concepts and procedures to the specific engineering models developed in the unit.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.