Parcours Electrical Engineering and Control Systems / CompSEE 2è année

Provide students with basic knowledge of the general principles of operation of electrical networks and the control of its elements. Future experts in electrical networks or engineers working on energy systems, this course will provide a system vision to students, with the notions of interactions and coupling of components.

LECTURE PART (10h)

General introduction (4hCM)

• General structure of electrical networks
• Costs and means of production
• New operating contexts (GED, deregulation, etc.)
• What are the key themes in this area?
• Links with the control part

Structure and modeling of alternators and typical grid components (2hCM)

• Modeling of alternators, presentation of simplified models
• Presentation of the different notions of settings (primary, secondary, tertiary)
• Adjustment means available (AVR, GOVER)
• Some basic regulators (PID, phase advance-delay, pole placement) - examples of AVR, GOVER
• Coupling of regulators

Structure and operation of electrical networks (1hCM)

• Power balance, notion of static balance, approach in the sense of the first harmonic
• Basic equations lines, concept of voltage drop and maximum power
• Planning elements

Load distribution calculation (1hCM)

• Presentation of the problem
• Load flow resolution method (backward, forward – Gauss-Seidel – Newton-Raphson)
• Illustration on a simple case

Concept of stability (2hCM)

• Rotor stability, equation
• Area criterion, application to a case of fugitive defect
• Metric frequency load shedding

PROJECT PART (40h)

The goal of this project is to apply the elements presented in the electrical network construction course as well as the notions of control and state representation.

The project begins with an introduction to a scientific tool for engineers (MATLAB). It continues with an application of the calculation of load distribution and the concepts of energy markets. A third axis corresponds to the synthesis of corrector applied to a single and composite corrector (Tubrine Gouvernor TG and Automatic Voltage Regulation AVR).

The final application system is an isolated network with several generators (equipped with their TG and AVR regulations). The alternators will be set for a given state of charge. Then several events will be applied in this network:

• Increase in load
• Loss of a work (line)
• Loss of an installation (primary and secondary)
• Application of a transient fault and effect on generator stability

Students will have to apply their knowledge to successfully stabilize the electrical network by adjusting the parameters of the correctors and setting up a suitable frequency-metric load shedding system.

Assessment: The grading policy comprises lab assessments plus a final examination. The grade of the module is the weighted average of the marks of each assessment.

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 Many applications in the field of power and energy systems rely on optimal decisions making on many types of systems ranging from building, to microgrid, regional/national grid. The encountered case studies can be classified into two categories:

1. the operational planning of the systems – i.e. the management.
2. the long-term planning of the systems – i.e. the design/sizing of the system coupled with their management.

After an overview of the typical case studies, the module gives the students insights on how to translate them into optimization problems. A basic problem of unit commitment will be given in class as a running example (i.e. supply an electrical load from a set of generators with the minimum generation cost). Traducing the applications into an optimization problem requires to define sets of equation to account for the system objectives and operating limits. Specific constraints also need to be implemented in order to account for the model equations of the systems. Different families of formulations and solving algorithms will be introduced in class. Then three 4-hours labs will complete the module:

• Energy management strategy based on optimization for a microgrid – solar + storage
• Optimal design of a microgrid – solar + storage – under various assumption (Fig1.)
• Optimal operation of a simplified electrical grid.

Figure 1. Example of Results for the optima sizing of a microgrid (solar and storage sizes)

Students learn the methodical procedures that are necessary for successfully modeling and solving problems in the area of power and energy systems. They will learn how to handle Mathematical Programming Language with an example of package in Matlab. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand how any typical decision making applications can be translated into an optimization problem, beyond the scope of energy systems.

Assessment: The grading policy comprises lab assessments. The grade of the module is the weighted average of the marks of each assessment.

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Optimal design aims at finding solution of complex design problems using optimization algorithms. The objectives of this course is to presents the fundamentals of an engineering design study, problem specification, modelling for design, optimization algorithms.

Assessment: The grading policy comprises homework and lab assessments plus a final examination. The grade of the module is the weighted average of the marks of each assessment.

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The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge on the formulation of electromagnetic problems and their numerical solving using the finite element method. This course introduces the formulation of electromagnetic problems into mathematical boundary-value problems, the numerical discretization of continuous problems into discrete problems, and the development of rudimentary computer codes for simulation of electromagnetic fields in engineering problems, with aims of providing a general overview of the finite element method commonly used to model and simulate electromagnetic devices in electrical energy applications.

The main topics tackled are:

• Electromagnetic field models: electrostatics, electrokinetics, electrodynamics, magnetostatics, magnetodynamics and wave propagation,
• Electromagnetic field and potential formulations,
• Treatment of nonlinear materials (saturation, hysteresis) and permanent magnets,
• Computation of global quantities: lumped circuit elements (resistance, inductance, capacitance), flux linkage, Joule losses, iron losses,
• Coupling of electromagnetic field and circuit models,
• Computation of electromagnetic forces.

Particular attention is paid to state-of-the-art finite element techniques, modeling of problems and interpretation of numerical results. Practical work consists in simulating different electromagnetic problems by using the open-source mesh generator Gmsh (http://geuz.org/gmsh) and the own codes developed during the sessions.

Assessment: The grading policy comprises homework and lab assessments plus a final examination. The grade of the module is the weighted average of the marks of each assessment.

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Multiphysics and multiscale problems are more and more required for solving a wide range of engineering and physical problems. Especially those that are multidisciplinary in nature. A very typical area for this is electromechanics, where the coupled nature of the electrical, mechanical and thermal parts affects the operation of the driving mechanism, which is the case for e.g. electrical machines and piezoelectric devices. Another area is electrical components where electrical effects are strongly connected to heating effects and heat transfer for the cooling of the components. Moreover, the physical mechanisms act at different scales, in materials but also in the topologies of devices (e.g. multi-stranded coils).

Due to the coupling of physics and multiscale effects, it becomes more difficult to design devices from simple guidelines and formulas. This is where numerical methods are particularly efficient.

The module gives students insight into multiphysics modeling, i.e. on the integration of different physical phenomena into a computational model, and multiscale modeling. The main topics tackled are:

• Magneto-mechanical and magneto-thermal coupling solved by Finite Element Method,
• Integral equations method for thermal problems,
• Introduction to homogenization for electromagnetic problems.

Students learn the methodical procedures that are necessary for successfully solving modeling and simulation problems in the different areas of electrical engineering. The consolidation and deepening of the theoretical knowledge is achieved on the basis of specific problems that are solved with the appropriate methods and programs. By the end of the course, students will be able to know how to do build numerical models of physical problems, develop critical thinking in interpreting results from numerical analysis, and identify incorrect results. Moreover, validate experimental results against numerical modeling.

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The research project gives students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the thematic area of their chosen field of specialization, as well as with the scientific methods of operation and the methodological approaches that are used in current research. This serves as a preparation for the Master’s thesis.

This takes place under the intensive supervision of an experienced researcher and generally in the context of research conducted by their research group. Working in a team gives students the opportunity to learn a good deal about the topics their colleagues are researching. The topic and tasks of the research projects are defined by the supervisor. The research project may also help the students to prepare for their Master's thesis.

Assessment: Each research project must be completed with a written report, to be submitted to the supervisor within 8 weeks or the specified time, and in any case before the start of the internship. The report should be prepared in the form of a scientific paper (title, abstract, introduction, results, discussion, materials and methods, literature; the scope of the project is usually 5 to 10 pages). The supervisor evaluates the written report on a "pass" or "fail" basis. Students with passing projects are awarded 3 ECTS. The supervisor is required to carry out a final project discussion with the student.

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Feedback control design, diagnostic/supervision and process optimization typically require a specific modeling approach, which aims to capture the essential dynamics of the system while being computationally efficient. The first part of the class details the guiding principles that can be inferred from different physical domains and how multi-physics models can be obtained for complex dynamical systems while satisfying the principle of energy conservation. This leads to algebro-differential mathematical models that need to be computed with stability and computational efficiency constraints. System identification constitutes the second part of the class, to include knowledge inferred from experimental data in the input/output map set by the model. It provides methods to evaluate the model performance, to estimate parameters, to design "sufficiently informative" experiments and to build recursive algorithms for online estimation.

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• Project management: The objectives of this class are to supply the bases of the project management as well as to present the good practices in industries. The quality management according to the standards ISO and the piloting by process are presented through industrial projects. 

This class contains a method to establish a CV as well as simulations of real recruitment interview.

• Industrial and Research seminars: Invited keynote speakers give a short class on their research topic. The lectures (typically 15h) are given in the scope of the Master and in G2Elab laboratory. They focus on the latest results in a specific topic of dynamical systems, electromagnetic and multiphysics numerical modeling, and may include some labs to illustrate specific aspects.

The attendance is composed as Master and Ph.D students, as well as engineers, researchers and professors.

• Philosophical and ethical awareness seminars:
  • around the position and impact of digital/computing technology
  • around ethics in technology and science,
  • and other fields of philosophical/societal questioning around the role of science and scientific progress.

Assessment: The course requirements include the preparation of a poster according to the research theme of the invited speakers. The preparation of the poster will build on the seminars of the keynote invited speakers and a bibliography, which will be provided by the lecturers to the students, who will then have to analyze, interpret and present the main results of the developed methods. The final exam consists of a discussion given in the presence of the class.

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The second semester is devoted to a 5 to 6 months internship carried out on various topics and in different industries or research labs. This is a key step of this Master 2 curriculum and the transition towards a potential research program developed further during a PhD or a position in industry. This internship is also usually the student's first long-term experience with laboratory research. The student will perform research in his laboratory to reach the goals planned. This is a unique opportunity to test your practical and theoretical skills and choose a research topic.

It is worth noting that most students find internships in large industries, but that a significant number are enrolled in SMEs. This motivates the importance of entrepreneurial and research skills in addition to the classical industrial ones. The collaborative internships between academic research labs and industries contribute to the transfer of knowledge between university and industry and is thus strongly encouraged. The variety of industrial markets addressed appears to be a direct consequence of the need for electrical engineering in all high-tech processes with strong efficiency needs.

Strong motivation, solid scientific background will be the basis of the internship. The student must deal with the assigned topic and the hypothetical task independently and scientifically, including a comprehensive write-up of the topic and the implementation of the task as well as an oral presentation of the work.

The internship must be found during the first semester. The choice of internship must be approved by the Program Committee. Students must therefore have their choice of internship approved before end January.

Assessment: The work is assessed by means of a written Master's thesis to be submitted at the end of the period, an oral presentation and the assessment of the internship tutor. The language of the report and presentation will be French or English, as chosen by the student. Laboratory skills and scientific rigor are evaluated.

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• Public Speaking: Master students can choose to take an optional course in English, which is adapted to their level of English. However, since the minimum requirement for Master students is to be competent in giving a talk (with the aid of a visual support), to be able to take notes and summarise the contents of a lecture and to be able to read with ease, obligatory lessons are provided for those students who have not mastered these skills at the B2 level of the Common European Framework.

While the "rules" of public speaking are simple, actually integrating all the "good ideas" to the point at which they become one's own, in order to successfully transmit any information to any audience is not as simple as it might seem. The public speaking course is firmly anchored in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) department - thus the transferable public speaking techniques, which are the main focus of the lessons, are in fact a pretext for improving the English of the participants. This follows the Dogme school of EFL, where the language work is based entirely on the "emergent language" of the participants.

Lessons contents

The 24 hours public speaking class, with a maximum number of 12 participants, provides the participants with a step-by-step hands-on experience of the importance of:

• using the visual channel to its full potential
• body language and eye contact
• the construction of the presentation
• markers and transitions
• pacing the talk
• the importance of rehearsing beforehand
• the impact of the conclusion
• tips and tricks to boost confidence
• handling questions from the audience

The integration of these techniques is reinforced by the observation of each other, of themselves - the participants are repetitively filmed for this purpose - and of professional speakers.

The students are invited to use the pretext of these classes to either review in depth some specific aspect of their instruction or on the contrary, to look into some subject more loosely connected with their main subject in order to inform and entertain their colleagues in the class.

• French as a Foreign Language: Master students can choose to take this optional course to learn, speak and write in French, which is adapted to their level of French. The objectives are to improve the student’s command of language and to learn to communicate in everyday life situations. This course also allows to discover French culture and to get familiar with the French way of life.

In this course, different aspects will be covered: grammar, phonetics, oral and writing comprehension exercises, notions of French culture. For the lessons, various supports are used: articles, schoolbooks texts, broadcasts from the Internet, short films, film extracts; and the activities include presentations, debates, writing, role-plays and lab works.

Assessment:

• French as a Foreign Language: Written or oral exam with duration.
• Public Speaking: The course requirements include the submission of a courselog, in which the student has recorded each week what they have individually learnt from the lesson, with a record of the new vocabulary encountered and how it is used. The final exam consists of a talk given in the presence of the class, the English teacher and a subject specialist teacher.

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