MSc Advanced Electrical Power Systems Engineering

Power system engineering is about keeping things in balance. Not just the balance between generation and load or between production and consumption of reactive power. It is also about the balance between the cost of energy and its environmental impact or the balance between the reliability of the supply and the investments needed to develop the system. This course will teach you how to quantify both sides of these equations and then how to improve the balances through technological advances and the implementation of sophisticated computing techniques.

In the first semester, you learn how power systems are designed and operated. This involves studying not only the characteristics of the various components (generators, lines, cables, transformers and power electronics devices) but also how these components interact. Through lectures and computer-based exercises, you become familiar with power flow and fault calculations and you learn how the techniques used to study the behaviour of large systems. Experiments in our high voltage laboratory give you an appreciation for the challenges of insulation coordination.

During the second semester, the course units explore in more depth the 'operation' and the 'plant' aspects of power systems. For example, you will study how renewable generation is integrated into a power system or how to assess and remedy power quality problems.

Prior to your summer break, a preliminary study and the outline of your MSc dissertation project is completed, this is fully developed throughout the second year of the course. The year-long enhanced individual research provides you with great opportunities to develop advanced research skills and to explore in-depth some of the topics discussed during the course. This includes training in research methods, and advanced simulation and experimental techniques in power systems and high voltage engineering as well as academic paper writing and poster and paper presentation.

Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD), the University of Manchester's new £400m purpose-built home for engineering and material science, is nearing completion. The physical move to the new development is scheduled to take place between January 2022 and December 2022. Whilst it is anticipated that access to equipment or work on projects for which such access is required may be limited during the period of the move, plans are underway to ensure that any disruption caused is minimised, a wide selection of dissertation projects will continue to be available, and excellent student experience remains pivotal.

Aims

• Provide an advanced education in electrical power engineering.
• Give graduates the education, the knowledge and the skills they need to make sound decisions in a rapidly changing electricity supply industry.
• Give a sound understanding of the principles and techniques of electrical power engineering.
• Give a broad knowledge of the issues and problems faced by electrical power engineers.
• Give a solid working knowledge of the techniques used to solve these problems.
• Educate students with advanced research skills necessary to address current and future technological advancements.

Coursework and assessment

You are required to take seven examinations. In addition, course work (eg lab reports) accounts for typically 20% of the mark for each course unit. One course unit is assessed on the basis of coursework only.

The enhanced research project is assessed on the basis of a research poster, an extended abstract, a research paper and a dissertation of about 70 pages.

Course unit details

Course units typically include:

• Electrical Power Fundamentals
• Analysis of Electrical Power and Energy Conversion Systems
• Power System Plant, Asset Management and Condition Monitoring
• Power System Operation and Economics
• Power System Dynamics and Quality of Supply
• Power System Protection
• Smart Grids and Sustainable Electricity Systems
• Techniques for Research and Industry

Over the last thirty years, hundreds of students from around the world have come to the University to obtain an MSc in Electrical Power Engineering or similar. After graduation, they went on to work for electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, specialised software houses, universities and consultancy companies.

This course also provides the students with additional research skills necessary for starting a PhD degree or entering an industrial research and development career.