Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus MSDG (.docx) : Download! (will open a Google-drive link)

CURRENT STRENGTH:

Thesis Steering Committee: MSc. Program-
Coordinator: Asst. Prof. Shahabuddin Khan
Member: Asst. Prof. Menaka Karki

Faculty-
1.) Asst. Prof. Shahabuddin Khan (MSc in Electrical Engineering- Distributed Generation):
    Digital Simulation of Power System,
    Reliability Engineering,
    Energy Auditing, Analysis and Conservation,
    Advanced Photovoltaics Systems,
    Power Supply Quality


2.) Asst. Prof. Menaka Karki (MSc in Power System Engineering and Management):
    Distribution System Planning & Management,
    Optimization Techniques,
    Distributed Energy Resources


3.) Asso. Prof. Bhriguraj Bhattarai (MSc in Power System Engineering)
      Power System Reliability,
      Energy Auditing, Analysis and Conservation,
    

4.) Asst. Prof. Purna Bahadur Pun (MSc in Power Electronics and Drives):
     Advanced Power Electronics,
     Grid Integration of Distributed Energy Resources

Visiting Faculty:-
1. Asso Prof. Lalit Bikram Rana, Pokhara University
2. Asst. Prof. Ram Prasad Pandey, Pulchowk Campus
3. Asst. Prof. Ajay Singh, Kathmandu University
4. Asst. Prof. Pramish Shrestha, Kathmandu University

Summary of MSDG Program:

As the course structure of MSc in Electrical Engineering in Distributed Generation is a core program of Electrical Engineering, its course structure also follows only the most important and significant subjects of this field.

The first semester includes four subjects that are the foundation of Electrical Engineering, in addition they add some advanced features to those subjects required for in depth understanding of the field. Digital Simulation of Power System builds up upon the basic Power System Analysis of Bachelor’s degree by teaching coding and exploration of the elements of Power System. Distribution System Planning and Management and Advanced Power Electronics are two very important aspects of any course in Electrical Engineering. Furthermore, Optimization Techniques build the foundation of research methodology that a student of Masters level requires for the Thesis Dissertation.

The second semester delves further into the field of Distributed Generation by including the study of Photovoltaic generation, Wind Energy Conversion Systems, Fuels cells and Energy Storage Technologies. Microgrids, Integration of DG in Grid, pricing and system planning with DG are also taught in this semester under Grid Integration of Distributed Energy Resources subject. Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and Power System Reliability are included under Elective I whereas Energy Auditing and Power System Planning & Economics are under Elective II.

In the third semester Power Supply Quality and Advanced Photovoltaic Systems are only provided as Electives III and IV respectively. These subjects analyze further advanced study under the field of Electrical Engineering which challenge a student’s capacity which is as par with the Post-graduate degree that s/he is pursuing. Moreover, the mini Project ,which carries another 4 credit hours,  build the base for the thesis research and software simulation.

In summary, the courses offered in EEDG are crucial and challenging at the same time equipping a student with a very in depth knowledge of the field of Electrical Engineering. The strengths of the course are that it deals with the core of electrical engineering subjects and build upon it the foundation for much advanced subjects that challenges the student but afterwards the student emerges out more proficient in the field. Subjects such as FACTS, Advanced PV, Power Quality teach students with state-of-the-art topics of the electrical engineering. Also, the use of simulation software makes the student familiar  with the topics of the field and also builds a solid core for future thesis work.

The course also has weakness such as unavailability of much electives to choose from, especially in 3^rd semester, which restricts a student to explore his/her field of interest. Also, the lab and practical set up required for the simulation is not sufficient. Subjects such as FACTS and advanced Power Electronics require a much advanced level of laboratory to make students understand the working of the components of those subjects.

TU could do with improving the course by investing in laboratory setup, providing more eminent teachers as visiting faculty, training the available teachers in the latest software and techniques emerging in the world. Also, lack of coordination between teachers of various campuses of IoE hampers the students to learn effectively. If the teachers could visit other campuses as visiting faculty to provide their expert knowledge it would be very advantageous to the students.