525.653.8VL - Power System Control, Optimization, and Grid Management

Electrical and Computer Engineering
Summer 2026

Description

This course explores the advanced principles and techniques used in the control, optimization, and management of modern power systems. The course provides an in-depth understanding of key concepts in power system control, including voltage and frequency regulation, load flow analysis, and stability assessment. Students will also study optimization techniques used in power system operation, such as economic dispatch, unit commitment, and optimal power flow (OPF), to minimize costs and improve system efficiency. Throughout the course, students will develop the skills needed to apply optimization and control methods to real-world power system problems.

Instructor

Default placeholder image. No profile image found for Hasan Mehrjerdi.

Hasan Mehrjerdi

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menuu.

Course Topics

Overview of Power Systems

Power System Stability

Power System Stability

Load Flow Analysis (Power Flow Analysis)

Economic Dispatch

Unit Commitment (UC)

Optimal Power Flow (OPF)

Voltage Control and Reactive Power Management

Power System Optimization

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the control, optimization, and efficient operation of modern power systems. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze and apply techniques such as voltage and frequency regulation, load flow analysis, stability assessment, and various optimization methods—including economic dispatch, unit commitment, and optimal power flow—to address real-world challenges in power system management and improve overall system performance.

Textbooks

[1]    J. Glover, T. Overbye, and M. Sarma, Power System Analysis and Design, 6th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2017 (ISBN 978-1-305-63213-4)
[2]    H. Saadat, Power System Analysis, 3rd Edition, PSA Publishing LLC, 2011 (ISBN 978-0-984-54386-1)
[3]    A. Soroudi,Power System Optimization Modeling in GAMS, Springer, 2017.

Student Coursework Requirements


Grading Policy

Course Evaluation

There are 2 exams, 1 during the semester and a final exam. Questions will be based on the lecture materials and project assignments. These exams will be open book and open notes. No makeup exam will be administered.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course. 

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions, and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact EP Student Disability Services at ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu. 

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. For a full description of the code please visit the Student Conduct Code website.

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.