Associate of Applied Science in Electric Power Systems

The Associate of Applied Science in Electric Power Systems degree program provides students with the technical and knowledge-based skills necessary to obtain career advancement and/or entry-level positions in the electric power industry, in particular the fields of facilities and equipment, power generation, grid operations, design, and management. This degree program incorporates strategically designed curriculum based on objectives that are current in the industry.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:

List and describe the regulatory agencies, their functions and operational methods of controlling the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power in the U.S.

Demonstrate the ability to accurately identify, describe, use, analyze and troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits used in power systems, including circuits used in analog and digital communications transport systems

Identify, describe and discuss applications of the theory and various operational methods and equipment’s for the switching, protection, monitoring, repair, and control of generation, transmission, and distribution assets used in the production of electrical power

Describe the functions of the Energy Management System (EMS) and its architectural inputs from the Outage Management System (OMS), Distribution Management System (DMS), Automatic Generation Control System (AGC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) as they relate to the U.S. power system

Identify and describe the necessary steps to siting, designing, installing, configuring, testing and activating new power systems equipment, including the interconnection variables of renewable sources

Using standard industry safety agency references (NEC, NESC, and OSHA), list and explain the priorities of Safety of Personnel, Property Damage, Equipment Damage and commonly used methods in complying with each category

Requirements
The A.A.S. degree in Electric Power Systems requires students to complete a total of 60 credits (semester system) distributed as follows:

Six (6) General Education courses at minimum, one for each of the required subject areas, for a minimum of 18 credits. The General Education courses offered by APT College satisfy the minimum requirements. APT College also accepts General Education credits from any accredited institution

Five (5) core courses for a total of 15 credits

A number of elective courses to fulfill the total requirement of 60 credits

Please refer to the College Catalog for more detailed information.
APT College Credit Evaluation Committee will evaluate all applicable transfer credit and work experience toward the degree program.

Core Courses

This course provides students with a working knowledge of electric power systems operations. The course covers generation, transmission and distribution including household wiring. Basic electrical terminology and concepts are covered with regard to design, construction, operations, maintenance of power plants substations, transmission, and distribution lines. The student learns the basics of substation equipment, system protective relaying, and system planning functions. The course includes discussions of normal and emergency system operations to give a true perspective of real time operations. Topics such as reactive supply, voltage control, stability, reliability, and other system parameters are discussed. The course usually includes a visit to a local substation or power plant. Additional topics of the evolution and regulating bodies of the U.S. power systems are also covered.

Credits: 3.00

Prerequisite: N/A

Industry Certifications: N/A

Modality:PWR100 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the electrical and electronic fundamental concepts at the basis of any technical industry. Upon completion of the course students will be able to determine voltage, current, resistance, and power values for electrical circuits in any configuration, both under DC and AC condition, and will have an understanding of the operation of the main electrical and electronic components. Digital and analog instruments and the related measuring procedures are also introduced as well as the electrical safety rules and principles of troubleshooting. This course also gives examples of how basic electrical theory is applied and used in large scale bulk electric power systems.

Credits: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR102 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

The student will be presented with an introduction of power plants and their basic components. The physical properties of water, the water cycle, and how the various states of water are created and used to drive steam turbines are then discussed. The course progresses into discussions of the equipment used to obtain those various states of water in the steam process. Then the entire thermal process of steam and associated equipment found in a typical coal fired steam power plant are discussed. The different types of fossil fuels used and their characteristics regarding steam power plants are compared. The air-pollution ramifications, control process and environmental monitoring equipment are presented as they apply to regulatory statutes.
This course is intended to give electric power system operators/dispatchers a working knowledge of electrical power system operations from an operational point of view. The course offers the reasons behind the criteria established for grid reliability, stability, control, etc. to help students quickly recognize undesirable conditions before they occur, and the fundamental engineering rationale needed to apply common sense in times of needing quick decision making.
Lab. Students will finalize their learning by visiting a working power plant and observe power plant operators in their daily monitoring and control using the principles from parts A and B.

Credits: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR104 is available in the webcast modality with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course is intended to give students the basic knowledge, technical background and engineering concepts regarding the planning, construction and drawings, major equipment, protection principles, grounding practices, operations, maintenance and safety of modern electric power substations. The topics include industry standards, company practices, and practical experience to give the reader a real perspective of modern electrical power substations.
First and foremost, working on or near substation equipment can be dangerous and care must be taken to follow all safety procedures properly. Students learn about the substation personal safety procedures, then move on to methods used to ensure equipment is safe guarded through maintenance and test procedures. Students are introduced to the importance of accurate test measures used to determine when substation equipment is in need of repair or replacement.

Credits: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR105 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

The course starts out with an overview of the electric power system, overhead and underground distribution facilities, protection concepts, consumption considerations, safety, and briefly discusses distribution planning, reliability and power quality. Then the student learns about substation equipment that pertains to distribution such as regulators, reclosers, lightning arresters, and capacitor banks. Distribution overhead and underground facilities are covered next with attention to common equipment found within the power delivery system.
Power quality problems are becoming more critical to virtually every class of electric service customer. With the increased use of electronic equipment at home, even residential customers are prone to experience some type of power quality problem. This section is intended to provide the student with a basic understanding of effects of power quality on customer equipment and methods to mitigate power disturbances. System protection concepts surrounding distribution feeder coordination with breakers, reclosers, fuses, and sectionalizers are discussed including coordination principles.
First and foremost, working on and around substation equipment can be dangerous and care must be taken to follow all safety procedures properly. Students learn about the safety practices surrounding distribution facilities.

Credits: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR115 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

Elective Courses

This course is intended to give students a working knowledge of how transmission lines are planned, designed, constructed and operated with respect to the bulk electric power grid system. Their performance and environmental aspects are discussed to give students an understanding of operating expectations and environmental concerns related to transmission lines. The operating characteristics of the vast equipment interconnected throughout the grid and the emerging technologies improving grid performance are discussed in this course.
The course starts out with an overview of high voltage transmission lines used in the electric power system; both overhead and underground and AC and DC facilities. The student learns about Right-of-Way factors, environmental considerations and the human factors regarding electromagnetic fields.
Electrical design characteristics such as air-gap clearances, insulation coordination, lightning performance, electrical transient impact, and NESC requirements are discussed. DC transmission lines are discussed, including applications, advantages and disadvantages, interconnection converter stations and the special equipment needed between AC and DC systems. The special characteristics and considerations of underground transmission facilities are discussed including transition equipment, splicing techniques, and special operating considerations such as line charging, pressurization, and maintenance.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR106 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This electrical safety course is intended to give field operations personnel in industrial and commercial operations a comprehensive understanding of the theory behind safe electrical practices. Emphasis is on equipment’s commonly found within industrial, commercial and electric utility industries. This course also covers the fundamentals of “equipotential grounding” used for safe work activities. These concepts are expanded to cover the many safety issues involving industrial and utilities in construction, maintenance and operations. Additionally a good understanding of grounding theory and safety procedures can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury accidents, this course will provide the foundations of overall electrical safety. This course is suitable for NERC Continuing Education Hours (CEH).

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: N/A

Industry Certifications: N/A

Modality:PWR110 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

The various types, shapes and sizes of electric meters used in the electric power industry for measuring electrical energy consumption are covered in this course. The course starts with an overview of the metering industry, the basic equipment used, and the terms/ definitions of metered quantities are presented. The parts of the various electromechanical, solid state and hybrid meters are discussed. The requirements for single-phase, three-phase installations, advanced applications and problems/issues encountered are discussed in this metering course. The fundamentals of meter reading are also discussed, including remote monitoring, and energy diversion are covered. Technical standards, common problems and meter safety are discussed.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR120 is available in the webcast modality with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This training class is intended to give students an advanced knowledge of the engineering concepts, technical aspects, construction practices and maintenance procedures of large scale electric power metering equipment. Large scale metering projects require knowledge in vector mathematics, instrument transformers, three-phase wiring methods, special equipment, programming knowledge, installation procedures, field testing, advanced metering functionality and remote communications. Another very important aspect of advanced metering is safety. This course discusses the essentials of proper metering safety during construction and maintenance.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR125 is available in the blended (synchronous webcast) modality with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

The role of protection is to detect and clear faults and disturbances from the electrical network. Protection operates after an abnormal event has occurred on the system with the goal of minimizing the effects from that event. Left uncontrolled these events can wreak havoc with the electrical network of lines and equipment to the extent that they will become completely unusable and a hazard to the public. Moreover, events can progress from minor instances that could be effectively controlled to major outages by failure of the protective equipment to contain the event.
This course will familiarize the student with the protective equipment whose task is to limit damage caused by insulation failure and the ensuing arcs, minimize outages from such events and to curtail widespread events associated with disturbances on large interconnected electrical networks. A special chapter has been added to describe the importance of Special Protection Systems (SPS) as a method to protect Grid Transmission systems from rapid faulting conditions. Safety of personnel and equipment will be emphasized throughout the course through meaningful examples of what could damage system reliability if established operating procedures are not followed.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: N/A

Industry Certifications: N/A

Modality:PWR130 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course is intended to give students the basic knowledge, technical background and engineering concepts regarding the various aspects of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. SCADA systems along with Energy Management software enable utilities to monitor and control bulk electric power systems, alter energy utilization and consumption. These advanced control and energy management systems are based on secure and reliable telecommunications systems.
The course covers Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), network interface, DC control power, communication protocols, protocol translators, operational interfaces, high voltage equipment interfaces and potential issues during the operation of SCADA and Energy Management systems. Alarm indication, control actions, analog monitoring information and accumulator telemetry processes occurring between the system operators and AC power equipment are discussed in enough detail for students to gain a working knowledge in SCADA systems used in electric power systems.
The course includes discussion on industry standards and practical applications of substation automation interfaces and protocols.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR135 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course covers a wide variety of power system planning and analysis efforts to long term system planning, reliability analysis, and security measures that result in cost effective system improvements. Included in the course are discussions on the necessary processes used to determine future construction projects to reliably accommodate load growth, contingency situations and normal and emergency operating constraints. Proper long term system planning requires improvements that take into consideration several factors such as normal and abnormal conditions, Right of Way constraints, budget constraints, neighboring utility’s needs, regulatory agency involvement and operating issues. Short term planning studies for real time or near real time applications are also discussed in this class. These concepts are presented as they relate to NERC and FERC reliability requirements that all systems operators will must be familiar with.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR200 is available in online, webcast, and blended modality formats with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides an understanding of all the important technical factors that affect the reliable operation of large scale interconnected bulk power grid system. The technical parameters associated with frequency, voltage, and phase angle control along with determining operating limits are discussed. The course covers how these operating parameters are used to plan, design and operate large power systems and to provide system stability, reliability and loading assessments. The reasons for and the requirements of the various system operating reserves that are needed to insure proper reliable system performance during normal and emergency conditions are discussed.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR205 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides the student with a working knowledge of the various dynamic conditions that occur on large scale power systems that can be problematic for system operators if they are not familiar with these special conditions. Having knowledge of such special electrical phenomena prepares system operators for analyzing and understanding possible issues on the system that can be unexpected. Examples of such phenomena are voltage transients, power oscillations, harmonics resonance of various types, geomagnetic disturbances and other electrical situations that can be problematic to the reliability and power quality of large power systems if not properly controlled.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR215 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course discusses common emergency operating conditions, situational awareness of conditions that could lead to undesirable system behavior, and explains preemptive actions that could ultimately prevent a system disturbance. The proper utilization of emergency reserves and other control techniques to maintain system stability during emergency operations is the crux of this course. Improper actions can lead to undesirable system behavior and this course helps students recognize those potential problems early and how to quickly apply corrective actions. Further, should there be a major disturbance event or blackout, this course discusses the processes and procedures used to restore the system back to normal including a black start condition. The course discusses how to monitor the key system indicators such as alarms, communications chatter, meter readings, etc. to avoid problems that could cause a major system disturbance.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR230 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides the student with a general understanding of how the different types of generators work, are operated and controlled on large power grid systems. The course discusses the traditional generators (i.e., steam turbine, coal, gas, oil, nuclear, combined cycle and hydro turbines). Then, renewable generators such as wind, solar, geothermal and future types are discussed. The last part of the course covers how these various types of generators affect the power grid from a perspective of reliability, stability, uncontrollable energy resource dynamics and how these factors affect load balance.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR235 is available in the webcast blended modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course is designed for managers, supervisors, engineers and technicians who seek a working knowledge of the various telecommunication systems used by electric power utilities. The practical application of fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, two-way radio, wireline communication systems are explained in enough detail to understand their capabilities, concepts, advantages and disadvantages. Common telecommunication transport technologies are discussed, such as T1, xDSL, Synchronous Optical Networks (SONET), Broadband over Powerline (BPL), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), TCP/IP, Ethernet, etc. Special emphasis will be devoted to the newer broadband wireless technologies to include Satellite communications, E Band, IEEE 802.11ac WiFi, WiMAX, 3G Cellular transport systems and private wireless communications. Additionally special safety precautions are necessary when copper, fiber and radio systems are used within substation environments, this course will also describe the High Voltage Protection systems that are used in high voltage work areas.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR240 is available in the webcast blended modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides students with an understanding of high voltage protection equipment used in power substations to maintain in operation critical telecommunications systems also during a fault (power surge, lightning, etc.). It also explains how telecommunications systems are integrated into the power transmission systems and are used to isolate the faulted zones during an outage. Methods to calculate the Ground Potential Rise (GPR) and the Zone of Interest (ZOI) during a fault are thoroughly explained. Finally, the course introduces the safety gear and discusses the rules to be observed in high voltage environment during installation and maintenance.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR250 is available in the webcast and blended modality formats with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course will provide an overview of the U.S. Power Grid, its characteristics and the national move toward a “Smart Grid.” It will first cover both the current and historical context of transmission and distribution infrastructure in the U.S., the total capacity and distribution of power generation, and basic principles of challenges and opportunities in the generation and delivery of electricity. The course will then provide an overview of the Smart Grid – what it is, what are its goals, how they will be achieved, and recent efforts to do so – as it is being implemented by U.S. utilities. Finally, the course will describe a roadmap for the future of Smart Grid technology development, deployment, and demonstration in the U.S., including activities beyond the control of utilities.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: N/A

Industry Certifications: N/A

Modality:PWR265 is available in the webcast modality with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of small size solar photovoltaic systems, referred to as residential systems. The basic electrical principles as they apply to photovoltaic systems are reviewed, and the fundamental solar energy concepts explored. The course explains basic installation methods for both grid-tied and stand-alone photovoltaic systems, and thoroughly describes the single parts used for their construction. Students will learn how to correctly design and size a PV system taking into account load requirements, budget, system geographical location, and National Electric Code regulation. Troubleshooting practices as well as safety rules while working around a residential photovoltaic system are also introduced.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: N/A

Industry Certifications: N/A

Modality:PWR270 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course teaches the fundamentals of how wind turbines work, and how systems are designed and installed. The course discusses micro turbines (under 1kW), small turbines (under 100kw), and large turbines (2.5MW range). Residential, community and wind farm scenarios are discussed to the level of working knowledge. The student learns about wind characteristics for system sizing, necessary components to optimize design, and safe construction practices. The course covers the North American Power Grids for grid-tie connections and off-grid battery backup system connections. The National Electric Code (NEC) and safety practices are discussed in this course. Practical applications, operations, and safety aspects are also covered in this course.
In this course students will learn how our future energy demands can be enhanced with wind energy applications. During the course every component of a wind power system will be introduced and explained: tower, blades, nacelle, synchronous and asynchr

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications:

Modality:PWR275 is available in the webcast and blended modality formats with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.

This course provides the student with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical perspectives behind each NERC reliability standard, system flexibility beyond the regulatory control points, and grid operations consequences from compliance violations which complements a review of the operating parameters as established by NERC.

CREDITS: 3.00

Prerequisite: None

Industry Certifications: None

Modality:PWR291 is available in the webcast modality format with extensive content and activity interaction online in the eLearning Portal (www.aptconline.com)

If you are interested in this course, please click the interest form button, fill out the form, and submit. An APT representative will contact you to follow up.