How to integrate a long-term view to the development of transmission systems? This is the challenge of transmission planning: to take into account future uncertainty, new power technologies and economic and operating realities in order to come up with a plan for transmission development.

In the new and emerging competitive markets, transmission planning needs to demonstrate relevance by providing applicable solutions to anticipated problems. In doing so, planners must provide answers to questions that have not yet been asked.

We will cover the various methodologies that have been tried, and point out the ones that work, and don’t work in the new competitive environment. We will discuss the methodologies for developing the strategic plan, and software-based approach to developing the implementation plan. We address the least-cost methodology, and how this is applicable to modern power systems. Finally, the course will discuss the possible future impacts in increasing penetration of renewable energies into the bulk power system, how to address them and how to plan for them.

Nodal pricing is the emerging method for determining the impact of transmission congestion and losses on the price of electric energy. The method involves an optimization solution of costs subject to transmission constraints. This method bears more resemblance to the power flow than to a bidding program. Nodal pricing is applied, in varying forms, to energy markets, congestion rents, firm transmission rights, and others. For anyone participating in such markets, understanding the fundamentals of nodal pricing is a must.

This course provides an introductory coverage of the basics of modeling and calculating nodal pricing, starting from power flow models and cost curves. Case studies and exercises help bring home the concepts while providing real-life examples. The investment of your time and focus will surely be rewarded with a jump start on this important concept of nodal pricing.

Utilities, architect-engineers, developers and industrials are often faced with considering an underground cable option either as a portion of an otherwise overhead line, to connect nearby substations, as entry to an already congested substation, or in urban setting where underground transmission or distribution is the only alternative. The student attending this course will gain an overall understanding of the major cable system types including extruded, self-contained fluid-filled and pipe-type, as well as an understanding about elements of design, manufacturing, installation and operation of underground transmission and distribution cables. More often, transmission cable systems are engineered on a case-by-case basis, so much of the 3-day course focuses on transmission with relevant references to distribution voltage cables. The instructor will discuss topics that are relevant for both voltage classes.

In the accelerated environments of today’s electric energy markets, fast analyses of power flows are a must. Emerging real-time and day-ahead markets require that analysis of infrastructure capacity be performed in a compressed timeframe. In this context, approximate but fast and consistent power flow solutions are preferred over accurate but unwieldy ones. Hence, the increasing popularity of linear approximations to the power flow. The reason for widespread use may have to do with the fact that linear methods are much easier to apply, are not subject to convergence issues, and require less data.

In this introductory course, learn about the technology of linear power flows and apply them to real-world practical problems. Use this technology in applications such as anticipatory analysis of pricing and demand signals, transactional analysis of power interchange and delivery, transmission loading relief and feasibility analysis. In addition, learn about the limitations to these methods and the pitfalls to watch out for when applying these methods. Come away with a working knowledge of the technology of linear power flows.

The power flow is a basic tool of power system analysis that is required knowledge for anyone who wants to work in this field. In this introductory course, review the basic principles of power flows with emphasis on applications to practical steady-state analysis. Learn how to model various types of power system equipment, and how the modeling of such equipment influence power flow solution performance and results. Learn about various methods for solving the power flow, the intrinsic characteristics and when to apply them, especially in ill-conditioned cases. Then, apply the power flow to typical power system problems, including contingency analysis, voltage control and reactive power analysis, and transfer analysis. Fill in your knowledge base of practical power flow analysis techniques and applications in a short course that is suited to today’s needs.

Power system stability is an essential aspect of modern power systems. The assessment of stability, both transient and voltage, requires a detailed representation of control response from power system equipment in the millisec to minutes timeframe. The time-domain dynamic simulation is the basic tool for stability assessment. We will introduce the basic concepts of stability and dynamic simulation and illustrate them through hands-on case studies. We will use commercial software for instruction and provide coaching for the software you actually use at work. Come away with a stronger understanding of stability and the use and application of dynamic simulators.

From time to time it is necessary to develop user models for equipment which do not have representation in commercial software packages for stability assessments. Emerging technologies and new equipment are typical bases for user models. This course introduces the basis for dynamic models, the range of responses they are intended to simulate, and then goes right into the mechanics of developing your own dynamic model.

Learn about power system controls and how these can be translated into special user models that work with today’s commercial simulation software. Be able to write your own models, debug other’s models and modify an existing model to suite your analytical needs. This is an advanced applications course. It is recommended that participants have prior experience with dynamic simulations and software programming to gain the most benefit from attending this course.

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission is seeing a resurgence in applications and studies for electric power grids. In this introductory course, review the basic principles of HVDC conversion technology, transmission design and characteristics with emphasis on applications to practical analysis. Learn how to model HVDC from existing and conceptual designs for use in steady-state and dynamic simulations of interconnected networks. Apply HVDC models to practical power system applications and evaluate their impact on key aspects such as contingency analysis, dynamic stability and voltage control.

The industry, by experience and research, now understands more about voltage stability than it did just a few short years ago. Phenomena such as slow and fast collapse, the voltage ledge, self-restoring loads and composite load-voltage relationships have become a part of the practical operating experience rather than abstruse theoretical concepts. The course brings you to the actual indicators, analytical methods and operating bases for voltage instability, still based on sound theory, but focused on models, measurements and controls that are rooted in the practical power system. Speak and apply voltage stability with a new confidence with knowledge you bring to work from this course.

Wind power is an emerging resource in electric power systems. However, harnessing this energy and interconnecting into existing transmission grids entails major challenges. This course provides an introductory coverage of the basics of steady-state, short circuit and stability assessment of wind farm interconnection, individually and in conjunction with other wind farms. The discussions cover the various technology for converting wind energy to electric power, the electrical characteristics of each and the impacts on existing grids. Hands-on exercise allow participants to conduct detailed assessments of power flow and stability simulations for a sample wind farm and grid. For any planner, operator, designer or market participant, wind farms represent an important new technology and challenge. This course will help you get a step ahead in understanding the interconnection requirements for and potential impacts of wind farms.