New trends for modernizing power systems

With the progress in the level of technology in power systems, many programs using available new technology (e.g. FACTS, fast controllers, communication systems, etc.) have been applied to improve power system characteristics, in particular, reliability, security and stability. To help improve power system characteristics, nowadays, distribution generation including renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources can be connected together to form what is called a ‘micro-grid’ that can operate in isolation (islanded) or in turn can be connected to a utility distribution system. Therefore, power system planning and configuration have to be modified to recognize this new scenario, and so, the requirements for doing that are necessary to be determined. Accordingly, the structure of research teams should be revised to incorporate both power, computer and communication engineers as a prominent role from each is needed. In addition, for undergraduate students the curriculum topics (teaching courses and labs) should be updated to help giving the students the required knowledge to understand the new proposed configuration of the power system.