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 basics and relevant design rules
  • Breakdown theory
  • Generation of AC testing high voltage and partial discharge testing
  • Design, construction and parameters of components in power grids
  • Learn the origin of networks failures, consequences, preventing and recovery measures
  • Operation principles and challenges of power grids
  • Special actual challenges and trends in transmission and distribution systems

Prerequisites

Basics of electrical laws, circuitries, three-phase systems energy conversion, components in power grids, electrical insulation, electric field theory.

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 the design criteria of power grids and can perform basic grid calculations
  • know the behavior of meshed grids in normal operation
  • understand the basics of power system stability
  • can describe the advantages of smart-grid applications
  • 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

History of power grids / technological milestones, DC and AC Systems, components and devices, market and regulations

 

       1

 

1

Interconnected Grids

  • Design of T&D Grids
  • Static load flow analysis, fault analysis
  • 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

 

2,3,4,5

 

 

2

Special Chapters on T&D (Transmission and Distribution)

  • Grid Dynamics and Stability
  • Optimized Grid use by “Smart Grid” Applications
  • Energy storage

 

6,7,8

 

3

Fundamentals and devices in 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)
  • Break down in gases (homogeneous field – Paschen; inhomogeneous field – Streamer/Leader (w4)
  • Beakdown in liquids and in solids (w5)

 

  9,10,11,12

 

4

PD-Measurement and HV-AC-Generation

  • Partial Discharge Measurement and generation of testing high voltages (AC)

 

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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