Power Engineering

Overview

Power engineering plays a significant role in the regional economy, with over eighty companies focused on various aspects of power. These include regional IOUs, munis, co-ops and PUDs; numerous power engineering consultancies; power equipment manufacturers; developers and independent power producers; high-tech firms focused on smart grid products; and federal entities like BPA and the Army Corp of Engineers. Investment in new generation and transmission, innovations in communications and IT, and rapidly-decreasing prices for renewable resources are all contributing to the industry’s growth.

PSU’s MS ECE power engineering track provides an industry-focused educational pathway for individuals who wish to enhance their depth in power engineering. Courses cover topics such as protection, power systems design, stability, planning and operations. Students are exposed to industry-relevant software, including ETAP, PowerWorld, ATP and ASPEN. Classes are offered in the evenings to accommodate work schedules. And, many of the instructors have been recruited from the local power industry.

Prerequisites

Students who begin this track should have a solid understanding of power systems components and fundamental power systems analysis techniques. PSU’s EE 347 (non-rotating power systems components, fundamental analytical methods) and EE 348 (rotating power systems components, power systems controls) together prepare students well for the MS ECE power engineering track. 

Core

EE 530 Analytical Methods for Power Systems
EE 531 Power Systems Protection
EE 532 Electrical Machine Analysis & Design
EE 537 Advanced Power Systems Protection

Depth and Breadth Course list

EC 538 Energy Economics
EE 534 Power Operations Fundamentals I
EE 535 Power Operations Fundamentals II
EE 536 Power Systems Stability
EE 538 Dynamics and Control of AC Drives
EE 539 Design of Electrical Machines 
ECE 533 Advanced Electromagnetics
ECE 545 Power Electronic Systems Design I
ECE 546 Power Electronic Systems Design II
ECE 551 Control System Design I
ECE 552 Control System Design II
ECE 576 Computational Methods

Track Completion Forms

Program Completion Form

Thesis Program Completion Form

Track Director

Supporting Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Guy AlLee, MS ECE, Canonical USA Inc. Expertise: Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, 380 Vdc Distribution
Ian Beil, PhD, PE, Portland General Electric. Expertise: power systems planning  
Jennifer Ferris, MS ECE, Bonneville Power Administration. Expertise: power systems protection
Kevin Marnel, MS ECE, Portland General Electric. Expertise: power systems protection
Uben Udeh, MS EERE, PE, Portland General Electric. Expertise: power systems analysis
Song Wang, PhD, PE, Portland General Electric.  Expertise: stability, protection