ETM 521 Power Systems Essentials: Historical, Engineering and Emerging Aspects

Fall 2018-2019

Course Syllabus

Instructors

Barış Sanlı, barissanli2@gmail.com

Course objective

In this course, the basic power system concepts are introduced with historical, engineering and technological perspectives and events those shaped them. From AC-DC wars to first transmission lines and early metering systems, the power system we use today has been deeply molded by the historical developments and technological “path dependence”. More complicated engineering concepts for power system operation will be told with case studies based on US and European blackouts. The technologies and their capabilities are the enablers and bottlenecks for the power system operation we have today. The course will be based on case studies to smoothen understanding of the engineering concepts.

Learning Outcomes

Students will have an understanding of

• Nuts and bolts of modern electrical systems from

  • Historical,

  • Engineering perspectives

• Learn about the components of the system

• How modern power system operation works

  • How does the system achieve high reliability with out storing electricity

• Different generation technologies and their impact on the prices and operation

• Why blackouts happen?

• The discussions about the future of power systems

Course Policies

• Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded.

• Partial (not full) lecture slide sets will be available at SuCourse.

Evaluation Policy

• Course grading will be based in-class contribution, quiz and assignments.

Course Material and References

Textbooks for relevant weeks are as follows:

• Power System Overview

  • Book: Electric Power Systems: A Conceptual Introduction, Alexandra von Meier, ISBN: 978-0-471-17859-0, 328 pages, July 2006, Wiley-IEEE Press

• Historical Developments

  • Book: From Edison to Enron: The Business of Power and What It Means for the Future of Electricity, Richard Munson, Praeger Publication, 2005

  • Article: “From Edison to Enron, Richard Munson, The Electricity Journal

  • Volume 18, Issue 9, November 2005, Pages 51-61 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619005001144

• Generation Technologies and Market Effects

  • Book: Electric Power System Basics for the Nonelectrical Professional, Steven W. Blume ISBN:9781119180197

• Fundamentals of Power System Operation

  • Book: Electric Power System Basics for the Nonelectrical Professional, Steven W. Blume ISBN:9781119180197

  • Video : How the National Grid responds to Demand, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTM2Ck6XWHg

• Market Structure

  • Book: Regulation of the Power Sector, Editors: Pérez-Arriaga, Ignacio J. (Ed.), 2013, https://www.springer.com/us/book/9781447150336

  • Book: Electricity Marginal Cost Pricing, Monica Greer, 1^st Edition, 366 pages, Feb 2012, Elsevier, https://www.elsevier.com/books/electricity-marginal-cost-pricing/greer/978-0-12-385134-5

  • Video : Dieter Helm Talks: The Economics of Utilities, http://www.dieterhelm.co.uk/helm-talks-2/helm-talks/

• Blackouts

  • Book: When the Lights Went Out : A History of Blackouts in America, David E. Nye, 304 pp, Jan 2010, MIT Press, https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/when-lights-went-out

• Future of the Power System

  • Report: Utility of the Future, MIT Energy Initiative, https://energy.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Utility-of-the-Future-Full-Report.pdf

Course Schedule (Tentative, Subject to Change)