NSF-sponsored Workshop:

Integrated Software Laboratory in Power Systems Course

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA

July 25-27, 2006

Workshop Purpose:

To discuss an integrated software-based laboratory that is tightly-coupled and complements a fast-paced Power Systems Course for undergraduates.

 

Benefits to Participants:

  1. Ready-to-use laboratory for the entire semester which is based on the state-of-the-art software, which are free as described below.  Copies of all the laboratory exercises will be provided on a CD.
  2. HANDS-ON learning to use the following 4 different software, specifically for experiments in this laboratory.  All the sessions in using these software will be recorded and provided on CDs or DVDs for future use.

1)      PowerWorld: For Power Flow including HVDC Transmission Lines, Tap-Changers and Phase-Shifters, Voltage Stability using Series Compensation and Shunt Reactive Power Compensation, Economic Dispatch and Short-circuit Fault Current Calculations

2)      EMTDC: For calculating parameters of Transmission Lines and their modeling, modeling Phase-Shift in Transformers, modeling Power Electronics in Power Systems including HVDC Converters, TCR and TCSC, Power Quality and Harmonic Analysis, modeling of Synchronous Generators, Switching Transients on Transmission Lines and modeling of Surge Arresters

3)      MATLAB: To demonstrate in a simple power system the following: Power Flow, Transient Stability and Short-circuit Fault Current Calculations

4)      Simulink: Dynamic interaction between Control Areas including Automatic Generation Control (AGC)

Student (Evaluation) versions of all the above programs are sufficient for our usage. These versions of PowerWorld and EMTDC can be downloaded free from the internet and will also be provided on a CD, by permission of the program developers, to all the participants.  MATLAB and Simulink are NOT free unless your department has a site license, as we do here at the University of Minnesota where we use them in our core courses.

Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (see reversed side for description).

Registration Fee: FREE to the U.S. Power Faculty

Schedule:

Tuesday July 25:  Arrival and Reception at 6:00 PM; dinner on own your own

Wednesday July 26: Discussion of Structuring Lab Experiments during AM and designing these experiments and using software during PM.  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Thursday July 27: Continuation of designing these experiments and using software.  Breakfast included; adjourn at noon.                                                

LODGING: Free for two nights (July 25 and 26) to the Power Faculty teaching these power courses at U. S. universities.  Reservation must be made and guaranteed directly by the participants themselves at the Radisson Hotel University by calling 612-379-8888 by July 1, 2006.  You must ask for the "NSF Power Systems Course" room block.  We will provide the Radisson Hotel University the list of names to transfer charges to our NSF grant for these two nights of lodging.  Please note: we are NOT setup to provide free lodging elsewhere. 

Questions: Ned Mohan, mohan@umn.edu or 612-625-3362.

Registration Procedure: Simply send an e-mail by July 1st to Ned Mohan (mohan@umn.edu) indicating the following:

1. Name, Title and the complete Mailing Address at the University

2. Name of the U. S. University and the Power Systems Course Number that you teach

3. Have you made your reservation at the Radisson Hotel University by calling directly 612-379-8888?

REQUIREMENT: Bring your own Windows-based laptop PC and the charger.  We will provide the power connection.

LIMIT: 40 on first-come basis (one per university).

About The University of Minnesota – Minneapolis Campus:

Arguably the most vibrant and beautiful campus that spans both sides of the Mississippi as it begins its 2,000 mile journey towards the Gulf of Mexico, it is also the second largest with the Fall 2005 enrollment of 51,175 (only ASU-Tempe was larger with 51,712).  How many universities can boast 665 registered student organizations?

It is almost within walking distance of the downtown, which is a major cultural center between Chicago and San Francisco, with hundreds of ethnic restaurants reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of this city.  Minneapolis-St. Paul are well connected, with non-stop flights from most major cities in the United States.

The Twin Cities weather is never dull; yes, it can be brutal in winter but in July, expect the unexpected: anywhere between 60-95 degrees and possibly thunderstorms.  But with an extensive network of underground tunnels (called the Gopher Way) connecting most major buildings, including the Radisson Hotel, the weather here is the same everyday!