Electric Power System Simulation
Simulering av elkraftsystem

EIEN95, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2026/27
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED E
Date of Decision: 2026-04-09

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: E4-el, F4, M4, MHET2, N4, W5
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

In the ongoing energy transition, fossil fuels are replaced by electric energy from renewable sources such as wind power and solar PV. This permits an increase in electricity consumption for electrification of road transports and industrial processes but implies several challenges for the electric power system: Wind power and solar PV are different from hydro power and nuclear power as they are weather-dependent and therefore variable, which drastically increases the need for balancing. Furthermore, the grid connection of wind power and solar PV is based on power electronic converters, which reduces power system inertia and fault currents. To accelerate the energy transition, both planning and operation of the electric power system now change rapidly. This work is to great extent based on simulations of real electric power systems, typically comprising a city, a bidding area, a country or a continent.

In the course, students learn power system analysis with computer simulations at professional level. The fundamentals in power systems analysis are assumed known beforehand. The students work in a commercial power system simulator environment with a simplified model of the Nordic electric power system. A number of simulation tasks about power flow, fault currents or a form of power system instability gives insight into the theme itself, but also the characteristics of the Nordic system in this aspect. Special attention is paid to keeping the connection between computer calculations with detailed models and hand calculations using simplified models. The course is project based and excellently prepares students for both MSc degree project and professional life in power systems analysis.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• understand physical phenomena in electric power systems, central to power flow, fault currents and various forms of instability,
• be able to link (power flow, fault currents and instability) calculations by hand with simplified models to those made by computer calculations with detailed models
• know characteristics of the Nordic transmission system with respect to power flow, fault currents and instability.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to create and manage a computer model of a non-trivial electric power system,
• be able to carry out computer simulations of power flow, fault currents and instability in a model of a non-trivial electric power system,
• be able to assess computer simulations of power flow, fault currents and instability using calculations without computer.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• show insight into the role of electric power systems to society, and to their possibilities and limitations,
• show insight into the challenges associated with creating and maintaining a detailed electric power system model.

Contents

·      The electric power system simulator PowerFactory

·      The simulation model NORDIC44

·      Time simulation and fault clearing

·      Loss of synchronization after large disturbances

·      Damping of electro-mechanical oscillations

·      Frequency control

·      Voltage collapse

·      Project

·      Written and oral presentation

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U, G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment:

To pass the course, a written and oral presentation of the project are necessary.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0125. Name: Electric Power System Simulation.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: To pass the course, a written and oral presentation of the project are necessary.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: EIEN15 Electric Power Systems
The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• All course literature is distributed during the course and material is also published in Canvas.

Contact

Course coordinator: Olof Samuelsson, olof.samuelsson@iea.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.lth.se/iea/english/courses/