ELEC3203: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

Electric power systems are the backbone of modern civilisation, powering everything from our homes to the industries that sustain global economies. Electric power systems are also key enablers of widespread electrification. From integrating renewable energy sources to balancing supply and demand on a global scale, electric power systems lie at the heart of the energy transition. The topics covered in this unit will equip students to understand the technical, economic, and societal dimensions of electric power systems. Students will gain both a high-level overview and detailed analytical skills, preparing them to contribute to the electrification-driven energy transition—whether through immediate application or advanced study. The following specific topics are covered: analysis of three-phase circuits under balanced conditions, synchronous generators, transformers, transmission lines, switchgear, power flow problem (nodal analysis, formulation of the power flow problem, Newton–Raphson method, applications, optimal power flow), electrical loads and the demand for electricity, primary energy conversion, electronic power conversion, balancing load and generation, electricity markets.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	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
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Sajan Kuriyakose Thalakottur, sajan.kuriyakose@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Rui Chu, rui.chu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Tom Perrau, thomas.perrau@sydney.edu.au
	Andrei Vladychenko, andrei.vladychenko@sydney.edu.au
	Laura Zhang, jiawei.zhang1@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam 2-hour supervised (in-person) exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	In-class quiz Canvas quiz consisting of T/F, MCQ, and computational questions.	15%	Ongoing	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Homework quiz Canvas quiz consisting of T/F, MCQ, and computational questions.	5%	Ongoing	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Pre-lab work 1 Written report	3.75%	Week 04 Due date: 17 Mar 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Pre-lab work 2 Written report	3.75%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report 1 Written report	3.75%	Week 07 Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report 2 Written report	3.75%	Week 09 Due date: 28 Apr 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Pre-lab work 3 Written report	3.75%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report 3 Written report	3.75%	Week 12 Due date: 19 May 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Pre-lab work 4 Written report	3.75%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report 4 Written report	3.75%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ?

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.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Overview of electric power systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Three-phase phasor analysis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Synchronous generator modelling	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Transformers	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Transmission line, switchgear	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Power flow: nodal analysis, formulation of the power flow problem	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Power flow: Newton-Raphson method, applications, optimal power flow	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Electrical loads and the demand for electricity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Primary energy conversion (electricity generation)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Electronic power conversion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Balancing load and generation (frequency control and economic dispatch)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Electricity markets	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	One laboratory session where students use computer simulations to study power flows in an electric power system.	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Weekly	12 weekly tutorials where students solve practical problems discussed in the lecture.	Tutorial (24 hr)
	Three laboratory sessions in Weeks 4-11 where students use an analog power system simulator to analyse different aspects of power system operation.	Science laboratory (6 hr)
	Weekly homework activity where students prepare for class by watching video lectures and solving practice online quizzes.	Individual study (24 hr)
	Self study not captured in other activities	Independent study (26 hr)

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

Daniel Kirschen: Power Systems, Fundamental Concepts and the Transition to Sustainability, Wiley, 2023.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Comprehend and explain the fundamental principles and functioning of electric power systems
LO2. Apply circuit and phasor analysis techniques and the per-unit system to model and analyse balanced three-phase electric circuits
LO3. Construct steady-state models of essential electric power system components, including transformers, transmission lines, and generators, to develop and evaluate a simple power system
LO4. Formulate and solve the power flow problem using various methods and assess their effectiveness
LO5. Understand and describe the fundamentals of electrical loads and electricity demand
LO6. Explain the fundamental principles of primary energy conversion
LO7. Explain the fundamentals of electronic power conversion
LO8. Analyse the principles of load balancing and generation in power systems
LO9. Examine the key principles governing electricity markets
LO10. Effectively communicate scientific concepts through oral and written presentations
LO11. Collaborate in teams for scientific investigations and the learning process

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The unit content has been significantly revised since the last offer.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 06 Feb 2025.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ELEC3203: Electricity Networks

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect