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:

1. 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.
2. Manipulate converter circuits through inversion, cascade, and differential interconnection, and predict the effects on conversion ratio, component stress, and control requirements.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Construct LTSpice models of power electronic and power system circuits, compare simulation results with hand analysis, and diagnose discrepancies between theory and simulation.
6. 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.

Examination Material or equipment

Students will be required to supply their calculator for use during the final exam. Further information on examination material will be provided to students in lecture time and on Canvas. The final assessment will be held in the exam period with details to be advised.

Recommended Resources

Texts:

Fundamentals of Power Electronics Paperback (any edition) by Robert W. Erickson and Dragan Maksimovic

Electric Power Principles: Sources, Conversion, Distribution and Use (2nd Edition) by James L. Kirtley

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Generative AI Tools may be used in this course in a strictly LIMITED capacity:

The use of Generative AI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT) is only permitted in this course for the purpose of conducting information searches. Direct incorporation of outputs generated by AI tools is explicitly disallowed and will be considered a violation of academic integrity principles. Written assignments will be accompanied by a short text giving a detailed account of AI use, including the names of any tools, prompt strategies used,

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Module 1 Lectures: Steady-State Converter ConceptsTutorial 1: Introduction and team formation	All Lectures are online. All tutorials are on-campus with graded content.
2	Module 2 Lectures: Buck and Boost Converters. Small ripple approximation, inductor volt-second balance, capacitor charge balance.Tutorial 2: Questions from Module 1 Lectures
3	Module 3 Lectures: Switch RealisationTutorial 3: Questions from Module 2.
4	Module 4 Lectures: Converter Circuit ManipulationTutorial 4: Questions from Module 3.
5	Revision Module Lectures 1 to 4.Tutorial 5: Questions from Module 4
6	Assessment	Oral Test 1. Individual. Covering Modules 1 to 4.
7	Module 5 Lectures: AC Power and Balanced Three-Phase Systems.Written Test 1: Modules 1 to 4.	Written Test 1. Covering Modules 1 to 4. During tutorial timeslot.
8	Module 6 Lectures: Transformers and Polyphase Concepts.Tutorial 6: Questions from Module 5
9	Module 7 Lectures: Polyphase Systems and Power Flow.Tutorial 7: Questions from Module 6.
10	Module 8 Lectures: Polyphase Lines and Single-Phase EquivalentsTutorial 8: Questions from Module 7
11	Revision Modules 5 to 8Tutorial 9: Questions from Module 8
12	Revision

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view their enrolled courses' timetables, browse, and then self-allocate to small teaching activities or tutorials, allowing them to plan their time better. Find out more on the Timetable webpage (https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Oral Test 1	15 %	1,2,3,4
Written Test 1.	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Oral Test 2	15 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final Written Exam	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Tutorial Questions. Weeks 2 to 5 and 8 to 11.	30 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Course content is delivered online through eight modules, each broken into short mini-lectures for flexible, self-paced learning. The core course engagement, however, is on campus. Nine compulsory in-person tutorials are held across the semester in Weeks 1–5 and 8–11, where students apply module content through collaborative problem-solving. Attendance at every tutorial is compulsory.

Examination(s)

Students are assessed through five tasks: two written tests, two oral tests and weekly tutorial questions.

Written Test 1 and Final Written Exam are two hours long. Written Test 1 covers Modules 1 to 4. Final Written Exam covers Modules 5 to 8. They require students to solve analytical and design problems under examination conditions.

Individual Oral Tests are conducted twice during the course and are managed by the course convener. Oral Test 1 covers Modules 1 to 4; question pool is released in Week 1. Oral Test 2 covers Modules 5 to 8; question pool is released in Week 7.

Assessment Task 1

Oral Test 1

Covers Modules 1 to 4. Each Oral Test is an individual 10-minute assessment. Students will be asked one question drawn from a pool of twelve, released at the start of the semester. Each student will book a timeslot for their oral assessment. This will be during Week 6.

Assessment Task 2

Written Test 1.

Held in Week 7. Covers Modules 1-4 ONLY.

Duration: 2 hours. Three questions. Each question comprises four progressive sub-parts.

A formula sheet is provided. ENGN6625 postgraduate students must also complete parts labelled [ENGN6625 only]. The exam will be held during the tutorial in Week 7.

Assessment Task 3

Oral Test 2

Covers Modules 5 to 8. Each Oral Test is an individual 10-minute assessment. Students will be asked one question drawn from a pool of twelve, released in Week 7. Held in Week 13.

Assessment Task 4

Final Written Exam

Held in Exam Period. Covers Modules 5 to 8 ONLY.

Duration: 2 hours. Three questions. Each question comprises four progressive sub-parts.

A formula sheet is provided. ENGN6625 postgraduate students must also complete parts labelled [ENGN6625 only]

Assessment Task 5

Tutorial Questions. Weeks 2 to 5 and 8 to 11.

Students complete eight written tutorial question sets across the semester, one per module, each structured in four parts. Work is completed in the tutorial and peer-marked against a projected solution. Postgraduate students (ENGN6625) complete an additional extension component.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students