Utility Distribution Systems
About this course
The six modules in this course are:
- Serving Loads and Connecting Distributed Energy Resources
- Transmitting and Transforming Electric Power
- Distribution System Architectures
- Voltage Monitoring and Control
- Overcurrent Protection
- Distribution System Reliability
The course instructor is Tim Taylor, who brings his 35+ years experience in utility distribution systems and teaching across the US, in addition to a laid-back and clear presentation style, to make an effective course in utility distribution system. All of his lecture materials are available to download for your use as well.
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Course outline
8 modules • 50 assignments • 8 - 10 hours to complete • 7:45 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 3 assignments
Orientation Materials
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Welcome to Course from Tim (14:45 minutes) Preview
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Serving Loads and Connecting Distributed Energy Resources
- Read: Circuit Basics
- Optional Reading: Basic Electrical and Electronic Concepts
- Distribution System Objectives (.pdf)
- Watch: Distribution System Loads (48:26 minutes)
- Watch: Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Systems (30:15 minutes)
- Quiz: Connecting Loads and DER on Distribution Systems
- Week 1 Presentations (.pdf)
Module 2 • 8 assignments
Transmitting and Transforming Electric Power
- Overhead Conductors and Underground Cables (39:22 minutes)
- Watch: Overhead Line Conductors
- Watch: Underground Cable Splicing
- Watch: Manhattan Manhole
- Transformers (20:16 minutes)
- Watch: Padmounted Transformer
- Overhead Conductors, Underground Cables, and Transformers
- Week 2 Presentations (.pdf)
Module 3 • 6 assignments
Distribution System Architectures
- Distribution System Architectures - Part 1 (29:48 minutes)
- Quickly Read: Design Guide for Rural Substations pp. 41 - 52
- Read: Design Guide for Rural Substations - Section 4.3 Only
- Distribution System Architectures - Part 2 (38:31 minutes)
- Distribution System Architectures
- Week 3 Presentations (.pdf)
Module 4 • 7 assignments
Voltage Monitoring and Control
- Voltage Monitoring and Control - Lecture 1 (48:15 minutes)
- Watch: Voltage Regulator Controller
- Voltage Monitoring and Control - Lecture 2 (22:35 minutes) Preview
- Voltage Monitoring and Control - Lecture 3 (29:02 minutes)
- Voltage Control and DER - Download and Read pp. 1 - 4
- Voltage Control and Monitoring
- Week 4 Presentations (.pdf)
Module 5 • 9 assignments
Overcurrent Protection
- Overcurrent Protection Part 1 (33:47 minutes)
- Watch: Spectacular Impacts of Some Faults
- Overcurrent Protection Part 2 (15:57 minutes) Preview
- Watch: Operation Explusion Fuse
- Overcurrent Protection Part 3 (29:44 minutes)
- Watch: Reclosers Overview from Eaton
- View Distribution Protection Overview
- Week 5 Presentations (.pdf)
- Quiz - Overcurrent Protection
Module 6 • 6 assignments
Distribution System Reliability
- Video - Reliability Part 1 (31:14 minutes)
- Reading Assignment - Reliability Performance in Sacramento
- Watch: CLECo SCADA
- Reliability Part 2 (33:15 minutes)
- Reliability Quiz
- Week 6 Presentations (.pdf)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructor
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Tim Taylor
Owner and Managing Director, Electric Distribution AcademyTim is Owner and Managing Director of Electric Distribution Academy and has over 30 years of experience in distribution system engineering. He’s led and participated in many projects with many North American utilities and has also worked in Europe and Latin American. In addition to papers, articles, and conference presentations, he has served as an instructor for... Learn more