TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION (TADP)

This course is intended for engineers without the required knowledge of electric power systems. The course will provide a comprehensive review of materials associated with generation, transmission, and distribution systems; foundation of electrical circuits as applied to power systems; and modeling and analysis of power systems. NOTE: This foundation course will not count toward the 15 credit T&D Certificate or 36 credit T&D Master’s in Engineering.

This course is intended for engineers without the required knowledge in transmission line design work. This course provides a comprehensive review of all the essential foundational material associated with the design of transmission line components such as transmission line structures, foundation designs, cable behavior, codes, and standards. NOTE: This foundation course will not count toward the 15 credit T&D Certificate or 36 credit T&D Master’s in Engineering.

This course is an introduction into the world of communications, with an emphasis on applications in the electrical utility space. The course is intended for those whose specialty is not communications engineering but need an overview of the evolving communications technology as a pre-requisite for the future Smart Grid; this includes power-track engineers, project managers, etc.

Introduction to structures, conductors, insulation, survey techniques, terrain modeling, computer-aided design, NESC code requirements. Each major step in an overhead line design process will be analyzed and discussed using data from a recently constructed line. Advantages and disadvantages of some modern design tools will be established.

Network planning, protection/fusing, conductor sizing, transformer specification & connections, arrestors, reactive compensation, underground cabling, substation overview. Students will learn the characteristics of distribution devices and how to select devices which contribute to the desired system performance. The course will cover the requirements of acceptable power quality and how to identify the different types of loads and their requirements for service.

System overview, design principles, types of substations, components, utilization, reliability, metering, voltage, protection, project plan, site, scheduling, major equipment, control houses, communication, SCADA, foundations, structural design, grounding.

An examination and study of the fundamental technical principles and operating guidelines of reliable interconnected grid operations, and the standards of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Students will acquire the topical knowledge and context to understand the operation of large, interconnected utility systems. In addition, the students will develop a skill set that includes knowledge of how electricity is generated and delivered, as well as how these real-time processes are monitored and controlled. Students will also learn techniques and considerations for analyzing common grid emergencies and system disturbances to identify contributing causes and develop mitigations.

System planning and project development, project proposals to management, project initiation, scheduling, cost management, resource management, permitting authority, land rights acquisition, overview of contracts, contractor selection, Gantt tracking. Students will study conductor types and uses, and learn strategies for developing and describing competing transmission projects. Given a specific transmission line project, the students will be able to develop a detailed project description in the form of a project plan.

General concepts, symmetrical faults, asymmetrical faults, voltage and current transformers for protection, classification and functionality of relays, overcurrent protection, distribution feeder protection, transmission line protection with communications independent distance relaying, introduction to differential protection, and disturbance analysis.

Introduction to cable systems: history of cables, solid dielectrics, comparison of overhead vs underground. Types of cable systems, cable manufacturing, accessories, basic cable design. Installation practice: pulling tensions, side wall pressures, t-line installation, distribution installation, tunnel installation, directional boring. Application considerations: hydraulic pressures/volumes, commissioning, operation and maintenance practice, industry guides/specifications, IEEE standards. Case studies and special topics.

This course covers the electrical aspects of transmission line design which ensure acceptable reliability, safety and code compliance for transmission facilities. Topics include an introduction to the electrical aspects of a transmission line design, rules and requirements, design criteria and voltage levels, conductor selection and ratings, required clearances, REA manual, insulation, voltage flashover, EMF fields, corona, induction coordination, grounding requirements, pole grounding, guy wire grounding, and grounding measurements.

The course covers in-depth design of steel poles, concrete poles, and associated foundations. The major topics include: review of steel pole specifications, development of loading trees, design of steel poles including arms, attachment details, base plate,. anchor bolts and connections, manufacturing process, inspections of weld details, testing of steel poles, review of concrete pole specifications, design of concrete poles, comparison of steel vs. concrete poles, associated industry national standards, direct embedment and pier foundations, foundation optimization, and anchor foundations.

This course covers conventional generation, renewable generation, integration of renewables into the electric grid, and other renewable energy technology topics.

Students will learn economic benefits of Smart Grids, network load flow analysis, radial load flow analysis, optimal topology, sectionalizing switches, fault location/isolation, microgrid technology, renewable technology, integrating renewable energy, system restoration, voltage/VAR control.

Four broad areas of leadership will be covered: leadership roles and responsibilities (sponsor appreciation); communication; systems thinking and breakthrough leadership; leadership, change and ethics.

The course further develops strategies covered in T-Line course and introduces advanced concepts for designing overhead transmission lines.

This course will begin with a review of basic concepts of power systems, their components and how they are inter-related. An overview of the topology and members of the North American power grid will then be covered. The main portion of the course will refer to modeling of power systems, short circuit calculations, and load flow algorithms and methods. Students will learn how to apply the algorithms and methods using case studies in topics such as voltage regulation, VAR control, and relay setting and coordination. The course will wrap up with a brief segment on harmonic analysis and filter design.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

Topic to be determined by instructor.