Power System Dynamics
The central question of this course is:
How can modern electrical power systems remain stable?
The course introduces the dynamic behaviour of power systems and the methods used to analyse and improve their stability. Starting with the fundamentals of device modeling, synchronous generators, wind power generation and converter-based resources are introduced. The different stability aspects are than explored, including small-disturbance rotor-angle stability, transient stability, voltage stability and frequency stability. Current challenges in inverter-dominated systems are addressed through grid-forming control and impedance-based analysis.
To participate, please enroll in the Moodle course.
The module covers the following main topics:
- fundamentals and classification of power-system stability;
- dynamical (electromechanical and electromagnetic) modelling of synchronous generators;
- wind turbines and power-electronic inverter models;
- state-space analysis, eigenvalues and oscillation damping;
- transient-stability assessment with the equal-area criterion;
- frequency behaviour, inertia, primary control and secondary control;
- voltage stability, PV curves, reactive-power limits and countermeasures;
- grid-forming inverters and stability analysis in converter-dominated grids.
The course combines lectures and exercises. The theory is introduced in lectures and applied in practical exercises. Matlab/Simulink models and simulations are provided as optional exercise to investigate small-disturbance stability. The learning materials include lecture slides, exercise sheets with sample solutions, and simulation examples.
The assessment is a written examination. The questions are based on the concepts developed in the lectures and include problem sets similar to those discussed in the exercises.
The examination takes 90 minutes and has a total of 90 points:
- general question: ~25 points
- 3 * calculation problemsets: ~65 points
The examination date, duration, and detailed requirements will be announced via Moodle.
Organisation
| Course team | Christian A. Hans, Nils Wiese, Hongyu Jin, Yonggang Zhang, and Walter Schittek |
| Dates (Lecture & Exercise) |
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| Degree programs |
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| Credits | 6.0 |
| Language | English |
| Moodle course | PSD WiSe 2026/27 |