Smart Electrical Power Systems

online course

The Online Course is all about smart electrical power systems, providing students with an overview of current challenges and new technologies with regards to future electric grids. It covers topics such as measurement techniques and distributed intelligence for power systems, electrical grids today and tomorrow, microgrids as well as real time simulations of power systems. As a result, students acquire a better understanding of the key challenges of future power systems.

✓ highly mixed/international group
✓ online lectures & tutorials
✓ group work & self study
✓ intercultural exchange
✓ virtual social events
✓ full online experience
✓ RWTH certificate

Course leader

The E.ON Energy Research Center (E.ON ERC) and the Institute of High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics (IAEW) concuct the academic content.

Target group

✓ B.Sc./B.E. student enrolled at a renowned university
✓ Studying mechanical engineering or a related field
✓ Minimum age to participate is 18
✓ Minimum English language proficiency equivalent to:

TOEFL ibt : 72 points
IELTS: 5.5 band score
TOEIC: 785 points
Cambridge: FCE, Grade C
CEFR = B2

Please note:
Basic understanding of power generation and power systems, electrochemical systems and basic understanding of electricity system and its components will be expected.

Course aim

Students receive an overview of current challenges and new technologies with regards to the future electric grid. Topics include but are not limited to the following subject areas:

Measurement Techniques and Distributed Intelligence for Power Systems
The course presents the role of measurements and monitoring in power systems, and it introduces the new measurement requirements and technologies of the modern power systems.
The fundamentals of measurements are briefly recalled, with particular attention to measurement uncertainty. Sensors and instruments are reviewed, with emphasis on Phasor Measurement Units as key component in synchronized measurements. The state estimation is introduced as most significant example of monitoring function. Notes on the digitalization of the measurement and monitoring processes are presented.

Electrical Grids Today and Tomorrow
The module gives an overview of what is changing in power systems, how renewables are changing some of the key concepts that have been applied for many years and outlines the perspective about the system of the future.

Real Time Simulation and Power System Dynamics
This module will be conducted as laboratory exercise about real time simulation and power system dynamics. Students will learn how to use a modern research tool: Real time simulation. By using this tool, they will directly experience some key concepts of power system dynamics in a computer simulation.

Microgrids
The module introduces the topic microgrids: Definition, structure and implementation of a microgrid. It also deals with the role of microgrids in future energy systems.

Real Time Simulation and Key Challenges of Future Power Systems
This module will be conducted as laboratory exercise in which students will have the chance to use real time simulation again to understand some of the key challenges of future power systems.

Credits info

2 EC
2, 3 or 4 ECTS credits according to the workload (about 60 hours / 2 weeks, about 90 hours / 3 weeks and about 120 hours / 4 weeks)

Please note:
Ultimately it is up to your home institution as to how many credits may be awarded. For details, please speak to your home institution’s Study Abroad Advisor!

Fee info

EUR 1194: Early Bird Discount: complete your application until 1 March to get a 10% discount on the total fees - in case of admission!