Skip to main content
CODE 118108
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR ING-IND/33
LANGUAGE English
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 2° Semester

OVERVIEW

This course provides a comprehensive overview of electrical power systems design, with particular focus on high-voltage (HV), medium-voltage (MV), and low-voltage (LV) installations in power generation plants.

The course is structured in two parts. The first part introduces the structure and documentation of an electrical engineering project. The second part focuses on the practical development of a design case study involving an HV/MV substation of a conventional power plant and its associated auxiliary systems, using professional power system analysis software.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims at providing students with the tools and procedures for the design of electrical systems for the production and use of electrical energy. The main design documents necessary for proper preliminary and executive design and the application and interpretation of the relevant technical regulations will be analyzed. Teaching will also include learning and using commercial calculation tools to aid power systems design, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Electrical systems (MEP).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand and structure a complete electrical power system design package
  • Develop and interpret technical documentation for HV/MV/LV systems
  • Perform steady-state and dynamic power system analyses using professional software tools
  • Conduct short-circuit and protection coordination studies
  • Design substation grounding systems and interlocking schemes
  • Prepare economic documentation including Bill of Quantities and cost estimates

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical and practical lectures using real cases to apply the described concepts alternated to software laboratory classes dedicated to a specialistic electric power system design software.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part I – Structure and Documentation of an Electrical Engineering Project

This module presents the technical and contractual documentation that composes a complete electrical design package. For each document type, the course examines its purpose, structure, preparation methodology, and practical examples.

Topics include:

  • General Technical Report
  • Specialist Technical Report and Design Calculations
  • Electrical Single-Line Diagrams (SLD), Multi-Line Diagrams, Functional Diagrams, and Functional Control Diagrams (FCD)
  • Installation Drawings, Electrical Symbols, and Drafting Standards
  • Technical Specifications and Particular Technical Requirements
  • Price Analysis
  • Bill of Quantities (BoQ), both priced and unpriced, and Cost Breakdown Structure
  • Project Schedule and Planning Tools

Upon completion of this module, students will understand the composition and coordination of technical, economic, and scheduling documentation within an electrical engineering project.

Part II – Applied Design of an HV/MV Substation

The second part of the course is dedicated to the development of a detailed design project based on a real-world case study: an HV/MV substation serving a conventional power generation plant and its auxiliary systems.

Design activities will be performed using DIgSILENT PowerFactory, a professional power system analysis software tool, which will be introduced during the course.

The following design phases will be addressed:

  • Development of the Load List
  • Preparation of the Single-Line Diagram (SLD) and definition of main switchgear characteristics
  • Sizing of HV/MV/LV cables and conductors, including consultation of manufacturers’ technical documentation
  • Sizing of HV/MV/LV power transformers
  • Steady-state load flow analysis and verification of grid compliance at the Point of Delivery (PoD), in accordance with CEI 0-16
  • Short-circuit analysis and protection coordination studies (HV/MV/LV), including time-current curve coordination
  • Dynamic studies, including Voltage Ride-Through (VRT) analysis at the PoD (CEI 0-16 compliance) and dynamic motor starting simulations
  • Substation grounding system (earthing grid) design
  • Safety and operational interlocking schemes; development of Electrical Functional Control Diagrams (FCD)
  • Introduction to BCU/PCU systems and IEC 61850 / GOOSE communication protocols
  • Equipment footprint definition and preparation of installation drawings and layout plans based on manufacturers’ catalogues
  • Preparation of a priced Bill of Quantities based on supplier cost references

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Preparation of a technical part of the project and oral discussion with the examination committee on the topics treated during the course and analysis of projects provided by the examination committee.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Verification of the acquisition of the knowledge to understand and produce the documents of a technical project of an electric power system. The project prepared by students in groups will be used also to assess the capabilities and soft skill of students to cooperate in the realization of a project while the individual discussion shall evaluate the acquisition of the competences to understand the project documentation and calculations included in the project.