Power System Protection and Distributed Energy unit (ENG429)

Introduction

This unit provides students with a detailed understanding of power system protection and the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) within transmission and distribution networks. Students will explore protection system design, relay operation, and fault management, with a focus on how increasing levels of renewable energy sources impact system stability and reliability. 

The unit also examines DER integration strategies, assessing their effects on power demand, voltage regulation, and economic benefits at both the local and regional grid level. Students will analyse hosting capacity, grid compliance, and operational challenges associated with photovoltaics, energy storage, and electric vehicles, considering their impact on reverse power flow and protection schemes. 

Through practical laboratory work, coding assignments, and simulation-based studies, students will gain hands-on experience in DER network operation, relay settings, and fault analysis, preparing them to design and manage modern, resilient, and secure electrical networks. 

Summary

Unit name	Power System Protection and Distributed Energy
Unit code	ENG429
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Engineering
Discipline	Engineering
Coordinator	Associate Professor Evan Franklin
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Honours

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate different types of distributed energy resources, describe how they operate and assess their affect on power demand
• Analyse the impacts of distributed energy resources on distribution and transmission networks
• Describe how contemporary protection devices, relays and other equipment work and their operation in power networks
• Determine relay settings required to adequately protect transmission lines and equipment against faults

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

ENG326 Sustainable Power Systems

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	3 x 2 hour workshops per week
Assessment	DER Networks Lab (20%)|DER Operating Strategy (25%)|Protection Assignment (25%)|Protection Systems Labs (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.