Delivery mode
Online
Estimated study time: 54 hours
Location
E-learning environment
Language
English
Scope
2 ECTS
Electricity Distribution Planning Tools
Electricity Distribution Made Clear – Tools for Today and the Future
The transformation of the energy system places increasing demands on electricity distribution networks. Rising electrification of heating and transport, the growth of renewable generation, and the need for reliable, efficient grids highlight the importance of effective planning.
Electricity Distribution Planning Tools online course introduces the essential concepts, methods, and tools of electricity distribution planning. The course focuses on medium- and low-voltage networks, substations, and the devices that keep the grid secure and resilient. Through a combination of video lectures, carefully selected readings, interactive 3D site visits, and quizzes, you'll gain the theoretical knowledge and practical insights needed to make better decisions in the energy sector. By the end of this program, you will have a solid foundation in electricity distribution planning, preparing you to contribute to the ongoing energy transition and a more sustainable future.
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Fee:
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, you will
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Understand what an electricity distribution network is and its place in the power system.
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Learn about the main components of an electricity distribution network.
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Be able to calculate the main technical constraints, including maximum steady-state current limits, voltage drop and rise, and the economic cost of losses in the network.
For
This course is designed for those working with energy systems and electricity networks, from early-career engineers to experienced specialists. It benefits participants employed by utilities, grid operators, consultancies, and public authorities, as well as anyone involved in infrastructure or sustainability projects where electricity distribution plays a key role.
This online course is especially beneficial for:
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Engineers and specialists in energy companies and utilities
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Professionals in distribution and grid operations
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Consultants in engineering and infrastructure
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Students and early-career professionals in power systems
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Staff in public authorities and municipalities
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Experts in smart grids and digitalization
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Professionals working on renewable integration and electrification
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Individuals seeking a broader knowledge of distribution networks
Content and Schedule
The course explores electricity distribution systems from high-voltage substations to the low-voltage networks that deliver power to consumers and prosumers. It examines how components such as substations, lines, cables, and protection devices function together, while introducing the planning tools and methods used to design efficient, reliable, and future-ready grids. Themes such as renewable integration, electrification, digitalization, and the rise of smart grids provide context for understanding how distribution networks are evolving in today’s energy transition.
The course workload is 2 ECTS (54 hours of study time), delivered over several modules that include video lectures, readings, interactive 3D site visits, and quizzes.
Learners have 3 months of access to complete the content at their own pace. A comfortable schedule would be about 5 hours per week for 10–11 weeks.
Modules
Module 1: Overview of Power Systems
- See how distribution networks fit within the overall electric power system
- Learn the difference between transmission, subtransmission, and distribution
- Explore the role of HV/MV and MV/LV substations in stepping down voltage
- Understand the structure of medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) networks
- Discover the key components: nodes, lines, overhead lines, and underground cables
- Learn how prosumers (consumers who also produce electricity) connect to the grid
- Understand why distribution networks are radially operated compared to meshed transmission systems
Module 2: 3-Phase Basics
- Explore the basic definition of electricity and the role of charge, voltage, and current
- Learn about Ohm’s Law and its application in electrical systems
- Understand why modern power systems are built on alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC)
- Discover the advantages of the three-phase system and how it improves efficiency and reliability
- Practice how to model and visualize AC and balanced three-phase systems using equations and phasor diagrams
Module 3: Modelling the Node: Prosumers, Substations, Busbars and Connection Assemblies
- Understand the evolving role of prosumers with rooftop solar, storage, and flexible demand
- Explore how low-voltage connection assemblies link customers and prosumers to the grid
- Learn the functions of substations, transformers, busbars, and protection devices in keeping networks safe and reliable
- Examine different forms of energy storage and their role in balancing variable renewable generation
- Discover how coincidence factors and loss times influence planning and dimensioning of network components
Module 4: Active, Reactive and Apparent Power, and Losses
- Learn the difference between apparent power (S), active power (P), and reactive power (Q)
- Understand the concept of power factor and how it affects grid efficiency
- Explore the power triangle and the relationship between active, reactive, and total power
- Discover how reactive power impacts network capacity and why it should be produced locally
- Examine losses in the network – both load and no-load – and how they translate into energy and cost over time
Module 5: Moving Upstream: A Simplified Power Summation
- Learn how to model prosumer nodes and substations for load flow analysis
- Understand how to sum active and reactive power across network nodes
- Formulate apparent power flow and current in each component of the grid
- Explore contingency scenarios and how backup operation affects load flow
- Examine thermal ratings and their role in steady-state network operation
Module 6: Moving Downstream: Simplified Voltage Drop and Voltage Rise
- Learn how to calculate voltage drop and voltage rise in distribution networks
- Understand the impact of distributed generation on daily voltage fluctuations
- Explore the Ferranti effect and other causes of unexpected voltage rise
- Discover how power factor and load flow affect voltage stability
- Get introduced to the main voltage control mechanisms, including transformer tap changers and zone-based regulation
Instructors
Robert Millar
Dr. Robert Millar is a Senior University Lecturer at Aalto University, specializing in power systems, renewable energy integration, and sustainable energy solutions.
Dr. Robert John Millar brings a wealth of expertise in power systems and sustainable energy to this online course. With a Master’s and a Doctorate in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology (now part of Aalto University), awarded in 2002 and 2006 respectively, he has served as a Senior University Lecturer at Aalto since the early 2000s.
Program Fee and Registration
The fee for the Electricity Distribution Planning Tools online course is € 300 (+ VAT).
This program has adopted Aalto EE's new Customer ID, and it is delivered on Aalto Learning Experience Alex e-learning environment. Before ordering, please visit aaltoee.fi/customerid.
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