Module 1 — Foundations of Smart Grid and Modern Power Systems

Synopsis: This introductory module establishes the technical and conceptual foundations of smart grid systems. Students will review the operation of conventional electrical power networks, then examine how digital communication, automation, and distributed intelligence transform them into modern, adaptive energy infrastructures. The emphasis is on understanding interfaces among generation, transmission, distribution, and end-use systems, as well as the performance metrics that define grid reliability, resilience, and quality.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the structure and operation of traditional AC power systems and identify their main components.
• Explain the motivation, architecture, and key enabling technologies of smart grids.
• Compute basic power-flow quantities using the per-unit system and phasor representation.
• Evaluate reliability and power-quality indices such as SAIDI, SAIFI, and harmonic distortion.
• Discuss interoperability, data communication, and cybersecurity issues in modern grids.

Indicative Workload

Total 10 hours (typical week): 3 h lecture, 3 h tutorial/lab, 2 h independent reading, 2 h assignment preparation.

Lecture Outline

1. Power-System Overview — Generation, transmission, distribution, and load structures; radial and meshed topologies.
2. Electrical Fundamentals — Phasors, complex power (P, Q), power factor, and per-unit normalization.
3. Smart-Grid Concepts — Architecture layers, digital communication, control, and automation (AMI, SCADA, DMS, EMS).
4. Performance & Reliability Metrics — SAIDI/SAIFI calculations, power-quality phenomena, and resilience indicators.

Laboratory / Tutorial Activity

Title: Single-Line Modelling and Reliability Analysis of a Distribution Feeder

Objectives:

• Construct a single-line diagram for a small feeder with distributed generation.
• Apply the per-unit method to normalise electrical parameters.
• Estimate power flow using the DC approximation.
• Compute and interpret reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI) for hypothetical outage data.

Software Tools: MATLAB/Octave (template script supplied) or open-source package such as pandapower.

Lab Steps

1. Convert given generator, transformer, and line impedances to per-unit values on a 100 MVA base.
2. Draw the feeder single-line diagram and identify buses, generators, and loads.
3. Perform simplified power-flow estimation; determine overloaded elements.
4. Use outage frequency and duration data to calculate SAIDI and SAIFI; propose one improvement strategy.

Deliverable: 4-page PDF lab report including assumptions, calculations, diagram, and ≤200-word recommendation. File name: Lastname_Module1_Lab.pdf

Assessment Components

• Online Quiz (10%) — 10 items on phasors, per-unit, and smart-grid terminology.
• Lab Report (40%) — Evaluation based on accuracy, clarity, and presentation.
• Problem Set (50%) — Numerical exercises on per-unit and reliability analysis.

Assessment Rubrics

Recommended Reading

• Stevenson W. D. & Grainer J. J., Power System Analysis (selected chapters).
• NIST, Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards.
• IEEE Smart Grid Tutorial Papers and case studies (available via LMS).

Instructor Notes

Highlight how the per-unit method simplifies later studies on inverters, storage, and microgrids (Modules 4 and 6). Encourage students to relate numerical reliability metrics to practical system-planning decisions. Reinforce the systems-thinking perspective—how each subsystem and data layer contributes to grid resilience and sustainability.

Sample Slide Pointers

• Structure of the electric power system (diagram).
• Phasor and complex power relationships (S = P + jQ).
• Per-unit computation example.
• Smart-grid functional stack: physical → communication → data → market.
• Worked SAIDI/SAIFI example.

References

• IEEE Standard 1547 – Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources.
• NIST Smart Grid Framework 3.0.