Abstract:

Load flow analysis in electric power systems is essential for several reasons: i) it provides information on how current and power are distributed throughout the elements that form part of the electric grids, facilitating an efficient operational planning; ii) it aids in identifying overload or overvoltage issues that may compromise system stability; and iii) it allows for the assessment of the impact of integrating new power generation plants, including renewable ones, on the operation of the network. However, not only is the execution of load flow analysis important to characterize the behavior of the network but carrying out other types of analysis such as quasi-dynamic and dynamic analyses, also helps to deeply understand the behavior of the network and to effectively plan its operation. Quasi-dynamic analyses, defined as a sequence of load flows spaced over multiple time steps, enable to analyze the temporal evolution (hourly, daily, monthly, or annual) of the main parameters affecting grid operation under changing operating conditions. For instance, when the energy production of a power plant is variable, or when electric vehicles, with their fluctuating load profiles, are integrated into the grid. Dynamic analyses, which consider the dynamic characteristics and electromechanical interactions among generators, transmission lines, loads, and control systems within the network, allow for the evaluation of the temporal behavior of variables such as voltage, current, or frequency in response to transient events. These analyses are also essential for assessing the transient stability of the system and understanding its behavior during and after events such as short circuits, disconnection of generating elements, and load variations, among others.

In light of the above, knowing how to perform these types of analyses as well as interpret and understand its results, is considered an essential skill for not only future electrical engineers but also for all professionals working in the energy sector and in companies related to renewable energy. To achieve this objective, it is essential to incorporate in the programs of the courses included in the curricula of some Degrees, such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or the Master’s Degree in Renewable Energies, the training of students in the operation of electrical systems, as well as the acquisition of skills related to the use of specialized software tools that allow carrying out the aforementioned analyses. In this context, this paper presents the practical exercises proposed to students in the course "Design and Operation of Renewable Power Plants" of the new Master's Degree in Renewable Energies offered by the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM). This is the first dual Master's Degree in this Spanish region, launched in the 2023/2024 academic year. The work also intends that the exercises proposed, carried out using the specialized DIgSILENT PowerFactory software, can assist other engineers or professionals in the sector who are interested in learning about power system operations, and to serve as a guide for other professors. The article also includes the results of a survey taken by students after completing the exercises, providing an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed teaching material.

Keywords:

Dynamic analysis, load flow, Master's Degree, power system, PowerFactory, renewable energy, teaching.