Power systems and power electronics are central to the generation, transmission, conversion, and use of electrical energy. This course gives students an integrated introduction to both areas, from semiconductor switches in DC-DC converters to transformers, transmission lines, and large-scale power networks.
Across eight modules, students study steady-state analysis of power electronic converters, equivalent circuit modelling, component losses, semiconductor devices, three-phase AC systems, transformers, transmission lines, power flow, voltage stability, faults, and reliability.
The course uses a flipped classroom format with pre-recorded lectures and compulsory in-person tutorials. Assessment is supervised and conducted through tutorial questions, oral tests, and written examinations. By the end of the course, students can model practical systems, verify predictions using simulation, and justify technical decisions clearly.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Analyse the steady-state behaviour of DC-DC converters using volt-second balance, charge balance, equivalent circuit models, and the DC transformer representation, and select suitable semiconductor switching devices for specified topologies.
- Manipulate converter circuits through inversion, cascade, and differential interconnection, and predict the effects on conversion ratio, component stress, and control requirements.
- Analyse balanced three-phase AC power systems using phasor methods and per-phase equivalent circuits, and calculate complex power, power factor correction, and transformer and transmission line models.
- Formulate and solve load flow problems for specified networks, and assess system performance in terms of voltage regulation, efficiency, losses, stability, and reliability under contingency conditions.
- Construct LTSpice models of power electronic and power system circuits, compare simulation results with hand analysis, and diagnose discrepancies between theory and simulation.
- Evaluate the importance of stability, reliability, and safety in power systems, and discuss recent developments and emerging challenges in power systems and power electronic devices.
Work Integrated Learning
Simulation/Virtual
This course includes simulation-based work integrated learning through two LTSpice activities in Tutorial 4 and Tutorial 8. These activities reflect professional engineering practice by requiring students to verify analytical results using simulation, compare predicted and simulated values, and explain discrepancies. Physical hardware laboratories are not part of the current course, so simulation provides a practical way to develop applied professional skills. LTSpice is a widely used circuit simulation tool in power electronics. Both activities are assessed through the tutorial component and support the learning outcome on simulation as a verification tool
Other Information
Professional Skills Mapping:
Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment and Professional Competencies
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial Questions (best 7 of 9) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Oral Test 1 (Modules 1-4, 10 minutes) (15) [LO 1,2]
- Mid-Semester Written Test (Modules 1-4, 2 hours) (20) [LO 1,2]
- Oral Test 2 (Modules 5-8, 10 minutes) (15) [LO 3,4,6]
- Final Written Exam (Modules 5-8, 2 hours) (20) [LO 3,4,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
ENGN4625/6625 is a 6-unit course requiring about 120 hours of student effort across 12 weeks, or about 10 hours per week.
Students spend about 4 hours per week on online mini-lectures, 2 hours per week in the scheduled class, and 4 hours per week on independent study.
Independent study includes revision, assessment preparation, team coordination, and LTSpice practice.
The course includes eight modules, with Power Electronics taught in the first half of semester and Power Systems in the second. Students must attend class every week from Week 1 to Week 12. Nine sessions are tutorials and three are in-person assessments.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland and W. P. Robbins, Power Electronics, Third Edition, Wiley, 2003.
Assumed Knowledge
Students entering this course are expected to have prior knowledge of undergraduate electrical circuits, AC circuit analysis, and AC power. This includes KVL, KCL, impedance, phasor analysis, and the concepts of real, reactive, and apparent power. Students should also be confident with complex numbers, trigonometry, basic matrix operations, integration, and differential equations. A basic understanding of inductance, magnetic flux, circuit diagrams, and component specifications is assumed.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10144 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |