Unit Outline

This unit provides students with knowledge and understanding of key aspects of electricity grid codes, rules and connection standards. Students will learn how legislation and regulation are used to create rules by which electricity grids must be planned and operated within, and are used to define the requirements of new grid connections, in particular new solar and wind generators, and new energy storage projects. Students will become familiar with grid codes used in key international power systems, but will focus on the Australian National Electricity Rules (NER) and its use in governing expansion of transmission and distribution networks and connection of new generators. Students, by undertaking grid connection studies, will understand generator performance standards and will gain sufficient knowledge of the process and requirements for gaining network access by new generators, energy storage projects, and energy consumers under Chapter 5 of the NER.

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	Explain to specialists and non-specialists how electricity grid codes impact the management and expansion of power systems, and connection of new generators and energy consumers.
2	Evaluate the capabilities of new generators and energy storage systems against appropriate generator performance standards.
3	Define appropriate grid connection study requirements to assess new network connections, using Chapter 5 of the Australian National Electricity Rules (NER) .
4	Evaluate new generator compliance with grid codes using industry standard software.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG306 Power Electronics ENG333 Power Systems 1

Alterations as a result of student feedback

N/A

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:	Major project: report and presentation	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	2 x assignments	Refer to Assessment Description	50 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Major project: report and presentation

Task Description:

In this project, you will complete a grid‑connection compliance assessment for a utility‑scale wind farm (Type‑4 WTG) or solar PV plant (full‑converter) proposed for connection to the Australian power system. You will build and test an electromagnetic transient (EMT) model in PSCAD connected to a single‑machine infinite bus (SMIB) network and evaluate the plant’s performance against the Generator Performance Standards in NER Schedule 5.2. Using the Chapter 5 connection process to frame the study scope and acceptance criteria, you will develop a study plan that identifies the relevant S5.2 clauses, operating scenarios, and clear pass/fail measures. You will then conduct EMT compliance testing of core requirements. The project culminates in a comprehensive compliance dossier comprising a technical report and PSCAD results, alongside a concise non‑technical brief recommending whether the plant should be accepted to connect. Your recommendation must present clause‑by‑clause Automatic/Negotiated/Minimum outcomes, justify any negotiated positions, and propose control strategies or ancillary equipment where remediation is required. The individual contribution (80%) is based on the system design and individual part of the report. The group (two students, 20%) is based on the presentation. The use of Generative AI is permitted, but must be acknowledge in the report.

Report - due in week 13; 80%
Presentation to Class; delivered in week 12; 20%

Task Length:

Reports: Up to 25 pages Presentation: 15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse how grid codes are applied in a real-world scenario to manage and plan power system expansion and new generator connection.	LO1
2	Evaluate the capabilities of new generators against the specified generator performance standards	LO2
3	Demonstrate understanding of the process and requirements for gaining network access by new generators under Chapter 5 of the NER	LO3
4	Identify any potential areas of non-compliance with generator performance standards and propose recommendations for improvement	LO2
5	Define appropriate connection requirements for a new generator and use the results of connection studies to evaluate compliance and to make recommendations to ensure compliance.	LO3
6	Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard modelling software to perform studies which include load flow analysis, fault studies, dynamics, contingency analysis, voltage stability, transient stability, harmonics and protection coordination.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: 2 x assignments

Task Description:

There will be 2 assignments worth 25% each, due weeks 4 and 7. Each assignment will be based on separate topics and class workshop sessions. Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

10 hours; 5 pages per assignment

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse the capabilities of new generators against the relevant standards, considering factors such as capacity, efficiency, reliability, and safety	LO2
2	Demonstrate understanding of the network access requirements under Chapter 5 of the NER, including the application process, connection study requirements, and relevant technical standards and regulations.	LO3
3	Demonstrate the ability to use industry-standard software packages to perform grid connection studies for new generator connection requests	LO4
4	Use appropriate tools to analyse generator performance and evaluate compliance with the relevant standards and regulations	LO2
5	Set appropriate generator connection requirements and assess the extent to which a proposed generator can successfully meet them	LO3
6	Evaluate the compliance of new generators with the relevant grid codes using appropriate software tools	LO4

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.

To pass ILO1 your aggregate mark on the components of Project assessing ILO1 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO2 your aggregate mark on the components of Assignment and Project assessing ILO2 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO3 your aggregate mark on the components of Assignment and Project assessing ILO3 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO4 your aggregate mark on the components of Assignment and Project assessing ILO4 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.