Teaching Electric

Power Systems
using MATLAB and
Simulink
Presented by Douglas Jussaume
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
University of Tulsa
Agenda
MathWorks at the University of Tulsa
• ECE’s usage of MATLAB / Simulink
• ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems course
Engineering Labs
• Importance of Engineering Labs
• Why the change to Virtual Power Labs
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Labs
• Implementation and Development Timeline
• Virtual Power Lab Design Features
• Virtual Power Lab Demonstration
• Student Feedback
• Benefits of a Virtual Lab
Evolving the Virtual Lab Concept
• Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Lab
• Power Lab Revisions
• Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom
• Three-Phase Power System Demonstration using Live Editor
Summary and Acknowledgements
University of Tulsa’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Classroom and Lab Usage of MATLAB and Simulink
Academic
Course Number Course Title Use
Year
Solve system of equations and perform complex algebra - Dr.
ECE 2003 Electric Circuit Analysis
Surendra Singh
Sophomore
Programming Arduinos with Digital Functions and basic
ECE 2161 Digital Lab
Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation - Dr. Nathan Hutchins
ECE 3113 Signals and Linear Systems Fourier series approximation, filtering - Dr. Heng-Ming Tai

ECE 4043 Electronics II

Junior Simulate electronic circuits - Dr. Peter LoPresti
ECE 4041 Electronics Lab
Performance evaluation of PID control, design by root-locus and
Control Systems
ECE 4053 Bode techniques - Dr. Heng-Ming Tai
Spectrum representation and modulation simulation - Dr. Heng-
ECE 4073 Communication Systems
Ming Tai
ECE 4353/6723 /
Senior Robotics I Modeling dynamics, control system design, visualization, and
CS 4753
solving simultaneous equations - Dr. Loyd Hook
Aircraft Systems, Simulation,
ECE 5353/7353
and Control
Develop Method of Moments code for scattering from cylinders -
Graduate EE 7023 Advanced Electromagnetics
Dr. Surendra Singh
ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems Course Work and Hardware Labs

Course Faculty: Professor Douglas Jussaume

Junior Level course
• Lecture on Magnetic Circuits/Three-Phase Systems / Transformers / DC & AC Motors and
Generators
• No independent lab course – labs integrated into the course work

Integrated Labs
• Lab Introduction with a single-phase transformer and complex load
• Three-Phase System - DC Motor - AC Synchronous Generator

Lab Set-up
• Single lab benchtop
• Modular hardware - Motor/Generators, Transformers, Transmission Line, Complex loads
• Measure Voltage, Current, Frequency, Torque, and Speed
• Real time display of complex power, power factor, voltage/current, torque/speed, and frequency
Agenda
MathWorks at the University of Tulsa
• ECE’s usage of MATLAB / Simulink
• ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems course
Engineering Labs
• Importance of Engineering Labs
• Why the change to Virtual Power Labs
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Labs
• Implementation and Development Timeline
• Virtual Power Lab Design Features
• Virtual Power Lab Demonstration
• Student Feedback
• Benefits of a Virtual Lab
Evolving the Virtual Lab Concept
• Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Lab
• Power Lab Revisions
• Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom
• Three-Phase Power System Demonstration using Live Editor
Summary and Acknowledgements
Importance of Engineering Labs

Support students in gaining experience and insight

• Build and Troubleshoot electrical circuits and systems
• Operate complex circuits and systems through system measurements over range of inputs
and system changes
• Relate classroom equivalent circuits to hardware performance

Support student’s development of professional habits

• Perform lab operating as a lab team – collaborate–teamwork–work toward a common goal
• Most important – Communication – Learn to write a professional engineering lab report

Support the university’s mission

• Improve student retention and interest
• Increase the quality of our graduates
Why the Change to Virtual Power Labs?

University COVID Restrictions

• Physical distance
• Cleaning equipment and lab surfaces

Lab Restrictions
• Single bench area – very confined
• Single set of equipment / hardware

Result
• Logistical nightmare in attempting to perform labs in a team setting

Solution
• Develop virtual labs

Personnel Experience with MATLAB/Simulink

• NONE
Agenda
MathWorks at the University of Tulsa
• ECE’s usage of MATLAB / Simulink
• ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems course
Engineering Labs
• Importance of Engineering Labs
• Why the change to Virtual Power Labs
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Labs
• Implementation and Development Timeline
• Virtual Power Lab Design Features
• Virtual Power Lab Demonstration
• Student Feedback
• Benefits of a Virtual Lab
Evolving the Virtual Lab Concept
• Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Lab
• Power Lab Revisions
• Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom
• Three-Phase Power System Demonstration using Live Editor
Summary and Acknowledgements
Virtual Power Lab Implementation and Development Timeline

Jan2021
Independent
Sept – Nov2020 study with
graduate and
Junior class Senior students to
July2020 – perform the virtual continue Power
Aug2020 Power labs Labs
June2020 Continued lab development
development
Started learning using Specialize
Early June2020 Simulink and Power Systems
developing initial
Met with MathWorks models using
May2020 - download free Simscape
MATLAB/Simulink Electrical
Selected
MathWorks
Simulink to
develop Virtual
Power Labs
Virtual Power Labs Design Features

Control Panel
• Hand-input changes in the lab’s parameters
• Display performance output for each change in input

Perform Open and Short Circuit Tests

• Determine equivalent circuit parameters
• Verify model performance using Power course’s equivalent circuit models

Encourage the engineering student to “play” with the lab model

• Develop “feel” for the hardware and system performance

Guiding Design Philosophy: Mimic the Hardware Lab Experience

• “Mimic” meaning that the electrical engineering student must set-up the test conditions and
then record performance data by hand.
• No single button to push to collect, record, download, and display the data
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Lab Technical Details

Three-Phase Power System

• Y-connected balanced Source and Load / 3-wire transmission line / Parallel RLC load impedance
• Measure the phase/line voltages, line current, real and reactive powers, and the power factor angle

Single Phase Transformer

• Step-up transformer with nonideal core / Parallel RLC load
• Measures the voltage and current on the source and load sides.

DC Shunt Motor
• 10 HP / 1750 RPM
• DC Terminal Voltage: adjustable DC voltage, 0 – 300 V DC
• Applied Mechanical Load Torque: adjustable load torque, 0 – 200 N-m

Synchronous Generator
• Synchronous Generator: 10.2 KVA, 460 V rms, 60 Hz, 1800 RPM, round rotor, Y-connected
• Parallel RLC load with adjustable circuit element values
• Adjustable generator speed, 0-3600 RPM, and field voltage, 0 – 150 V DC
ECE 3033 Virtual Lab Control Panel Technical Details

Three-Phase Power System

• Control Panel: On/off individual load circuit elements, adjust their values, and adjust the
transmission line length

Single Phase Transformer

• Control Panel: On/off the individual load circuit elements and to perform open and short
circuit tests

DC Shunt Motor
• Control Panel: adjusts the terminal voltage and applied mechanical torque, displays load,
armature and field currents, load and induced torques, terminal voltage, powers, and
electrical losses

Synchronous Generator
• Control Panel: adjust the generator speed and field voltage, displays the generator speed,
induce torque, output real and reactive powers, power factor angle, and electric frequency
Simulink / Simscape: Three-Phase Power System Lab Demonstration
Student Feedback – Comparing Virtual Lab to Hardware Lab
How did you feel about using virtual labs with Simulink? Did you have a
preference compared to hardware?

The student feedback was:

• I really hate labs because I find them very tedious, but I think doing them in Simulink made
them a lot more tolerable -- it (the virtual labs) was slightly less tedious

• I liked using the virtual labs. I feel it was equally helpful in learning the material as using
hardware. I think using hardware is more enjoyable at times because it feels more hands-on,
however, the simulated labs were less stressful. Hardware also allows for
troubleshooting opportunities, which was not available for simulated labs.

• The simulations were a great opportunity to test a wide range of values that would
normally be constricted in a lab setting. Simulations avoid safety risks and device
constraints.

• Hardware provides technical experience and produces visual results, while Simulation
provides an efficient way to observe large data sets and trends from a system. Overall, I
believe that using both hardware and simulation for a lab would be most beneficial.
Student Feedback: Virtual Lab Benefits
Are there any benefits that you can say you saw using a virtual lab over a
physical one?

The student feedback was:

• The worst part of in person labs is setting up the circuits, but that’s something we need
to be able to learn and do. But I think the Simulink/Virtual labs are a lot more beneficial for a
student’s understanding and learning a concept.

• In my opinion, virtual labs allowed us to see what would happen theoretically in reality;
however, I am a proponent of physical labs, where one can easily interact and understand the
material more comprehensively.

• So, I guess what I’m saying is I definitely prefer Simulink/Virtual labs for trying to
understand the theory behind things, because I think they’re easier to collect and analyze
data. However, I also think that doing physical labs, in order to understand how to use
the hardware, is just as necessary. Simulink labs would be a very useful addition to any lab
class, if added in the right way.
Benefit of Virtual Labs

Student Benefits
• Gave students a feel for theory/concepts via interactive controls to understand their
behavior in real-time
• Labs available 24/7 – better match to student schedule
• Improve their comfort level and confidence by working with the virtual lab

University Benefits
• Lower lab costs – no lab maintenance – no more equipment cost – no lab assistant
• Easier to stay current with technology
• Allow for virtual locations
• Address changing student populations and demographics -- changing student background
experience – available for a wider student audience

Future Employer Benefits

• Experienced in the virtual engineering environment and model-based design
Agenda
MathWorks at the University of Tulsa
• ECE’s usage of MATLAB / Simulink
• ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems course
Engineering Labs
• Importance of Engineering Labs
• Why the change to Virtual Power Labs
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Labs
• Implementation and Development Timeline
• Virtual Power Lab Design Features
• Virtual Power Lab Demonstration
• Student Feedback
• Benefits of a Virtual Lab
Evolving the Virtual Lab Concept
• Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Lab
• Power Lab Revisions
• Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom
• Three-Phase Power System Demonstration using Live Editor
Summary and Acknowledgements
Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Labs

Next Step - Now

• Revise labs to address the student feedback – more visual – build the circuit

• Develop more virtual power labs

• Three-phase transformer
• DC Series and Induction motor
• Paralleling generators

• Introduce versions of the models into the classroom

Next Step - Future

• Expand virtual lab to other topics
• Power electronics / RF/microwave / Circuits

• Future – virtual reality??

Virtual Power Lab Revisions

Universal Control / Display Panel

• Switches, sliders, and knobs to control the lab
• Displays for the performance data
• Interactive scope

Build the Circuit

• The student builds the circuit using the lab assignment schematic and the "Library Browser“

Add Warnings
• “You let out the magic smoke”

Real Time /Continuous

• Circuit performance is updated as changes are made
• Allow the student to "watch" the circuit
Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom

Classroom lecture
• Introduces Theory/Concepts/Equations
• Work problems

Work Problems using MATLAB/Simulink

• Use versions of lab models revised for the classroom

Flipped classroom allows students to “run” problems

• Explore bounds of the problems
• Summarize active results – this is invaluable – get engineering students to communicate

Guiding Design Philosophy: Learn in an Interactive and Visual Way

• Interactive control of the problem’s parameters - Real time display of numbers and graphs
Three-Phase Power System Demonstration – Extending the use of MATLAB/Simulink
Agenda
MathWorks at the University of Tulsa
• ECE’s usage of MATLAB / Simulink
• ECE 3033 Electric Power Systems course
Engineering Labs
• Importance of Engineering Labs
• Why the change to Virtual Power Labs
ECE 3033 Virtual Power Labs
• Implementation and Development Timeline
• Virtual Power Lab Design Features
• Virtual Power Lab Demonstration
• Student Feedback
• Benefits of a Virtual Lab
Evolving the Virtual Lab Concept
• Next Steps in Evolving the Virtual Lab
• Power Lab Revisions
• Integrating Power Lab Models into the classroom
• Three-Phase Power System Demonstration using Live Editor
Summary and Acknowledgements
Summary

Students liked the virtual labs

• Reinforced what is taught in the classroom
• Available 24/7 which supports the student’s schedule
• Provided insight to the classroom concepts

ECE Department liked the virtual labs

• Meet university’s CONVID restrictions and the course requirements
• No lab equipment breakdowns
• No lab assistant required

But did not provide the complete hardware lab experience

• Needs to evolve the labs to gain the hardware experience

Virtual labs are here to stay – virtual engineering environment is here to

stay
 Acknowledgements

Britney Baxter Thomas Reid Nathan Hutchins, Ph.D.

ECE Senior Student ECE Graduate Student ECE Faculty Member
[email protected]