Unit Outline
ENG761
Converter-backed Power Systems
Semester 2, 2024
Waqas Hassan
School of Engineering
College of Sciences and Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Waqas Hassan
Email: waqas.hassan@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 

In this unit students will investigate the operation of power systems which include converter-based generation, loads and storage. Students will develop the skills and knowledge to describe how voltage-source converter technologies operate in a power system, and to analyse HVDC converter technologies and the integration into AC power systems. Through this unit students will understand the approaches required to assess converter-connected generation, loads and storage under a range of system conditions including faults and contingency events.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Describe operation of voltage-source converter technologies in power systems
2
Research and analyse key HVDC converter technologies and their integration into AC power systems
3
Assess converter-connected generation, loads and storage under a range of power system conditions, including faults and contingency events
4
Evaluate grid-forming inverters and their role in future power systems and microgrids
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
ENG765 Power Electronics
ENG769 Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Lectorial
Interactive learning session
2
StudyPeriod 13 times
Lectorial
Interactive learning session
2
StudyPeriod 13 times
Practical
Lab experiments
3
6 times per week
Workshop
Project workshop
3
Once only (3 times)
Other
Industry-led seminars/workshops/site visits
3
Study Period 3 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Practical lab assignment
Week 6
15 %
LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Assignment
Week 13
30 %
LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Project
Week 13
40 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:
Simulation lab assignment
Refer to Assessment Description
15 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Practical lab assignment
Task Description:
Lab assignment
In this assignment students will practically investigate the response of converter technologies under different grid conditions.
Task Length:
3 hour lab and 12 page report
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe the response of converter technologies under a range of grid conditions.
LO1
2
Evaluate performance of converter-connected generation, load or storage under a range of grid conditions.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Assignment
Task Description:
This will be a method based learning assignment where the students will use a generic Type 4 WTG or Solar Farm model and assess its connection to the Australian Power System using the S5.2.5 framework as the pass/fail criteria.
Students will become familiar with the individual S5.2.5 clauses and assess its performance as Automatic, Negotiated and Minimum. Control strategies and ancillary equipment will be discussed to improve the performance. The deliverable will be an Assessment Report outlining the performance of the plant and whether it should be accepted to connect. This document will include output files from PSCAD simulations, critical judgement on connection type and design, as well as an overview of assumptions and limitations of the system.
Task Length:
20 pages
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
30 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Analyse the operation, characteristics and control of VSC technologies
LO1
2
Analyse performance of converter-connected generators, loads and storage in simulated power systems
LO3
3
Determine and interpret the response of converter-connected generation, storage and loads to fault and contingency conditions
LO3
4
Evaluate the capabilities of converter-connected generators against the specified generator performance standards
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Project
Task Description:
Major project
This project will involve students exploring power systems with converter-backed generation, loads and storage, including selecting appropriate converters, developing simulation models and analysing performance. Students will also analyse their system under fault conditions and extreme conditions to determine and correctly identify the response of converter-backed generation, storage and loads.
Task Length:
20 pages
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Select suitable converters for generation, loads and storage
LO1
2
Analyse performance of converter-connected generators, loads and storage in simulated power systems
LO3
3
Determine and interpret the response of converter-connected generation, storage and loads to fault and contingency conditions
LO3
4
Evaluate the performance of grid-forming inverter in the converter-dominated power system
LO4
5
Analyse the operation and role of grid-forming inverters in modern power system
LO4
 
Assessment Task 4: Simulation lab assignment
Task Description:
Simulation lab assignment (x2)

Lab 1 Simulation and analysis of HVDC converter technologies - due week 9
Lab 2 Simulation and analysis of grid-forming inverter technologies - due week 12
Task Length:
3 hour lab and 10 page report
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Simulate HVDC converter technologies
LO2
2
Analyse the integration of HVDC converter technologies into AC power systems
LO2
3
Simulate small power systems that use grid-forming inverters
LO4
4
Design a DQ controller for voltage source converter (VSC)
LO1
5
Simulate and analyse VSC control
LO1
6
Evaluate the performance of grid-connected VSC generation and loads or storage under various grid conditions
LO3
 

 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.