Program Overview

Electrical and Computer Engineering Program

The Electrical and Computer Engineering program at the University of Waterloo is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of topics in electrical and computer engineering.

Program Overview

The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of electrical and computer engineering, as well as the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest. The program includes a range of courses, research opportunities, and hands-on experiences that prepare students for careers in industry, academia, or government.

Research Areas

The program has a strong research focus, with faculty members and students working on a variety of projects in areas such as:

• Applied electromagnetics and photonics
• Artificial intelligence
• Biomedical engineering
• Communications and Information Systems
• Computer hardware
• Computer software and systems
• Control, robotics, and autonomous systems
• Integrated devices, circuits, and systems
• Nanoengineering
• Power and energy systems
• Quantum engineering

Course Details

The program includes a range of courses, including:

• ECE 6612 PD: This course studies FACTS controllers in detail from the functional, structural, and control points of view. The course concentrates on studying the most common thyristor-controlled FACTS controllers, in particular Static Var Compensators (SVC), Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensators (TCSC), and Thyristor Controlled Voltage and Phase Regulators (TCVR and TCPAR), and voltage-sourced converter controllers, specifically the Static Compensator (STATCOM), Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC), and the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC).

Course Objectives

The objectives of the ECE 6612 PD course are to:

1. Introduce basic FACTS controller concepts and applications.
2. Study in detail the most popular FACTS controller structures and their functionality.
3. Introduce detailed and approximate models and their use for these controllers.
4. Discuss practical control strategies and applications of these FACTS controllers.

Course Prerequisites

The prerequisites for the ECE 6612 PD course include a basic understanding of power electronic converters and power systems.

Main Topics and Delivery Plan

The main topics covered in the ECE 6612 PD course include:

1. Basic FACTS concepts
2. Thyristor-controlled FACTS
3. Voltage-sourced Converter FACTS

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and hands-on experiences, with a total of 12 lectures covering the main topics.

References

The course references include:

1. N. G. Hingorani and L. Gyugi, Understanding FACTS: Concepts and Technology of Flexible AC Transmission Systems, IEEE Press, 2000.
2. “Modeling of Power Electronics Equipment (FACTS) in Load Flow and Stability Programs”, CIGRE TF 38.01.08, Technical Brochure 145, August 1999.
3. “FACTS Applications”, IEEE-PES 96TP116-0, 1996.
4. Conference and Journal papers.
5. Course Notes.