Over the past few years, the electric power systems are undergoing phenomenal transitions, driven by low carbon generation technologies, flexible demand, electric transportation, ICT and big data applications, regulatory and policy changes. This module will introduce advanced technical concepts and guiding principles behind these developments. In particular, the module will cover the economic challenges in operating low carbon electricity systems reliably with an exposition of reliability and security modelling and analysis. The module will emphasise the efficiency of asset utilisation to establish the case for smart grid technologies and big data applications.

On successfully completing this module, you will be able to: Assess the role of the smart grid concept in facilitating a cost effective transition to a low carbon energy system Perform a cost-benefit analysis involving supply risks and operational or investment costs Model and assess the difference between preventive and corrective control Apply advanced approaches in scheduling of flexible demand Perform big data analytics in the application of smart grids Construct and evaluate basic reliability models and metrics Implement Monte Carlo risk computations Model a basic cyber attack and defence mechanism

Economic challenges of reliable operation of low carbon electricity systems; Bulk and distributed storage, demand side response, flexible generation, smart network technologies; Preventive and corrective control of electricity network; design of distribution and transmission networks under uncertainty; Big data applications in smart grids; Cybersecurity in smart grids; Reliability and risk modelling and analysis for distribution networks; Monte Carlo sampling for risk analysis (supported by computer labs);