Course Outline
ELC203 Power Systems
Course Coordinator:Sajeeb Saha (ssaha@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
2026Semester 2
UniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Modern power engineering is concerned with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power within a large interconnected network. You will learn the principles of classical and modern power systems and develop an understanding of the theory and modelling of component behaviour under steady-state and transient conditions. You will also explore the challenges faced by the electricity industry from distributed generation and storage of electricity by PV cells. You will also learn how to use sophisticated software tools to design and evaluate the performance of power systems.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Material | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorial | 2hrs | Week 2 | 10 times |
| Laboratory 1 – On campus lab | 2hrs | Week 4 | 5 times |
| Seminar – On campus seminar | 1hr | Week 1 | Once Only |
Course Topics
- Magnetic circuit theory
- Synchronous machines
- Induction and PM machines
- Generator and Transformer Models
- Power generation
- Load flow and load flow analysis
- Power system stability
- Distribution network
- Renewable energy systems
What level is this course?
200 Level (Developing)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1 | Investigate the essential components of steady state power systems through the application of theories and modelling. | Creative and critical thinker |
1.1, 1.2 |
| 2 | Solve load-flow problems of large power systems with appropriate models of transmission lines, transformers, generators and loads. | Empowered |
1.3
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| 3 | Demonstrate knowledge and apply theories in power distribution networks, system stability, energy storage and voltage regulation in the system. | Knowledgeable |
1.5
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| 4 | Communicate using appropriate engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams. | Engaged |
3.2, 3.4 |
| 5 | Develop power system structures and appreciate the role of the main elements. | Empowered |
2.3
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| 6 | Work collaboratively in teams to design control system to meet specified requirements. | Empowered |
3.6
|
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1.1 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
| 1.2 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. |
| 1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
| 1.5 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. |
| 2.3 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
| 3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
| 3.4 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Professional use and management of information. |
| 3.6 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective team membership and team leadership. |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
ELC202 and must be enrolled in Program SC404, SC405, SC410, SC411, SC425 or AB101
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
Microcredential Information
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Performance and feedback from the workshop tasks will demonstrate the level of proficiency and understanding of the course material.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Portfolio | Group | 30% | In this assessment, you will submit group report for each of the lab activities carried out for this course. The maximum page limit of the report is 15 pages including diagrams, calculations and references. |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Submission |
| All | 2 | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | Individual | 30% | The project-based design / case Study report is to be written with a maximum page limit of 10 pages. |
Week 11 | Online Submission |
| All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 40% | 2 hours |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Reports -workshop and site visit | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | You’ll develop your practical problem-solving skills through experiments using hardware and computer simulation on machine characteristics and power system design. You’ll design and operate simple power system equipment and networks, analyse data obtained from the experiments, compare and use industrial practices, and document your scientific conclusions in a report. Site visit will allow you to work in a group to characterise a specific component of a power system in a large network. |
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| Product: | Portfolio | |||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||
| Format: | You are required to submit group reports for four lab activities carried out for this course. Format of the report will be provided in the course site. The maximum length of each of the reports is 15 pages including diagrams, calculations and references. You are required to submit a report one week after finishing a lab activity. The due dates for the Lab reports are: For Lab 1: Week 5. For Lab 2: Week 7. For Lab 3: Week 9. For Lab 4: Week 11. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | ||||||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 2:Project-based Design / Case Study | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | This task will develop your skills in critical thinking and the evaluation of engineering systems, and formulate and apply appropriate analytical principles to describe, design and utilize the appropriate industry Standard or grid code. |
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| Product: | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | ||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | 1500 words equivalent including diagrams and calculations. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | |||||||||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 3:Final Exam | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | The final exam will develop your ability to independently apply your skills and knowledge to solve familiar problem-based questions with confidence within a set time limit and without access to additional resources. |
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| Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | |||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Centrally-scheduled exam. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | ||||||||||||||||
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Specific requirements
Fully enclosed shoes must be worn in the engineering laboratory. If you do not have the correct shoes you will not be allowed to do the practical. You must also undertake the laboratory induction before you can undertake any practical.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconductAssessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
- In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au