MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Power Grids: Systems and Devices (TSM_PowGrid)

In this module, students will increase their knowledge in selected areas of power grids in electricity distribution and transmission:

  • high voltage engineering and relevant design problems
  • learn the origin of networks failures, consequences, preventing and recovery measures
  • design, construction and parameters of components in power grids
  • organization of voltage and power regulation in interconnected grid
  • math. analyze and control in power grids
  • special actual problems in TD (transmission and distribution)

Prerequisites

Basics of electrical laws, circuitries, components in power grids, energy conversion, electric charge, electric field, as well as of ordinary and partial differential equations expected.

Learning Objectives

Students

  • know the main challenges of today's modern grids
  • know the main elements of an electrical grid and the differences of transmission components
  • possess a fundamental knowledge of the principles of designing high voltage equipment.
  • Know the basic design and technical solutions of the most important high voltage equipment in a power grid
  • have become acquainted with the static/dynamic modelling and simulation of high voltage components.
  • know how to design power grids
  • know how to perform basic grid calculations
  • know the behavior of meshed grids in normal operation
  • know the DC transmission technology
  • can describe the advantages of smart-grid applications for the DSOs
  • learn the basic principles of the management and regulation of electrical grids

Contents of Module

Course

Designation

Week

0

 

 

 

Introduction: Evolution of the power grid

Technological milestones, DC and AC Systems, components and devices, mathematical methods for AC grid analyze, basics of energy policy, new challenges for modern grids.

Week 1

 1

 

      

1

Fundamentals high voltage engineering

  • Tasks of HVE, Overvoltages origin and control insulation Coordination (w2)
  • Properties of insulating materials (w2)
  • Electric fields and field stress control, (w3-4)
  • Break down in gases (homogeneous field – Paschen; inhomogeneous field – Streamer/Leader (w5)
  • Exercices

Weeks 2,3,4,5

 

  2,3,4,5

 

2

HV-devices (cables, circuit breakers, surge arresters, …)

  • Cable termination (HV-Cables)
  • Nonlinear (semi-conductive) insulation materials (surge arresters?)
  • Circuit breaker technologies

Non destructive Insulation testing

  • Diectric measurements
  • Partial Discharge measurements and diagnosis

Weeks 6,7

 

6,7

3

Interconnected Grids

  • Design and operation of T&D Grids
  • Frequency & active power exchange under control of the TSO
  • Combined voltage and reactive power control in the T&D Grid
  • Excursion Swissgrid Control Center, Aarau / W.Sattinger

Weeks 8,9,10

 

 

 

8,9,10

 

 

4

Special Chapters on T&D (Transmission and Distribution)

  • Power Quality phenomena: PQ-Standards and their application in the grids
  • Optimized Grid use by “Smart Grid” Applications
  • Cables and overhead lines: visibility versus costs and efforts
  • Power Generation:  Synchronous machines and Converters
  • HVAC transmission or DC Supergrid
  • Communication over the power grid
  • …

 Weeks 11,12,13,14

 

11,12,13,14

Teaching and Learning Methods

  • ex cathedra teaching
  • exercises
  • presentation and discussion of case studies

Literature

 A. Küchler; «High Voltage Engineering», Springer Vieweg (2018)

Information on additional literature will occasionally be given during the module.

Download full module description

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