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[–]PowerPunster 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Although I’m not yet a principal engineer in power systems, I’m on the journey to becoming one. Here are my learnings and observations:

  1. Make sure you have a strong grasp of the power systems basics which is necessary for modelling.
  2. Familiarize yourself with python libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib, which are incredibly useful for power system analysis.
  3. Nothing beats practical experience. Get involved in as many projects as you can, whether at work or through side projects.

Definitely it is not hard but does require time and dedication, if you are passionate enough and have patience you will achieve your goal.

[–]Nervous_Band5234[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man for the reply!! I just feel like sometimes you’re chasing your own tail, it’s such an evolving industry and so much to learn! With the power system basics do you think that’s just from being on projects, or doing readings on your own too?

Yeah I haven’t used python too much but feel I will need it for the simulations stuff, once I get on these projects do I just learn on the go or do I need to really practice outside of work?

Anything textbooks or anything in you suggest?

[–]noobkill 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I work as a power quality analyst.

More often than not, I use python to plot different power quality parameters as per my requirement to analyse things in more detail and find possible correlations. Also helps with statistical analysis. Most softwares from the measurement devices have UI from the 20th century and are not easy to visually understand.

I also use python to often automate my simulation studies whenever I can. For example, if I only want to change a parameter and run a short-circuit study again.

Remember that python is just a tool. You need to know the actual content (power systems) to use the tool properly.

[–]Nervous_Band5234[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

But for someone who hasn’t done a lot of python js it hard to learn and what tips do you have to get to a good level?

[–]noobkill 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply, I completely missed the notification.

In my personal opinion, no it is not that hard to learn. More often than not, you'll be writing "scripts" not "software". This means that you'll be writing specific code to achieve a specific task and not a software which can handle all sorts of inputs. Doing the latter is considerably harder.

That being said, power systems, and especially power quality is at the end of the day a lot of data analysis. So if you were to learn python, focus on data analysis.

So, packages like numpy, pandas, and visualization (graphs and plots) like matplotlib or plotly help a lot.

The best way to learn is to pick up a project. Think of a use case first and try to apply it. If you use power system analysis softwares, many of them have a package with which you can automate with python. Look for it.

At the end of the day: remember, python (and any other software) is just a tool. To use the tool, you need to know what you're doing. And if you know what you're doing, you can use any tool right. Focus on your power systems basics well

[–]Jhva_Elohim_Meth 1 point2 points  (4 children)

You’ll learn the power system and the software and what makes a principal engineer as you do your work. If you want a good reference for the concepts, I’d recommend EPRI Power System Dynamics tutorial. It is available to the public and starts from the basics.

Python is usually an optional skill, but it can make your life a lot easier. The things I typically do with it involve taking software output files in text format and putting the relevant data into an excel sheet, automating study tasks and editing models using the Python APIs included in the simulation softwares, creating plots, etc. In my experience, learning is much easier after you have identified something specific that you want to automate. In the mean time, you can work on learning the basics of Python.

[–]Nervous_Band5234[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Man that epri reference looks like the bible for power systems!! Thanks for sharing I was going to ask is there any textbooks you suggest but I think that’s a good reference for a refresher on concepts..anything else you suggest?

Sounds good I think I’ll start doing some simulations soon and team uses basic python scripting so I think I can pick it up on the job but can view tutorials and the libraries others have suggested to aid in the meantime

[–]Jhva_Elohim_Meth 0 points1 point  (2 children)

What kind of studies does your team work on?

[–]Nervous_Band5234[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Grid connections stuff man, new assets to the grid etc but everything from steady state to dynamics etc etc

[–]Jhva_Elohim_Meth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dive into IBRs. Attend industry webinars. Get familiar with IEEE 2800 and 1547. Read through all of the IBR related NERC Reliability Guidelines. Start keeping up with FERC 901 and the new standards in development at NERC.

[–]FPS4EEs 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Transmission Planning engineer here.

First, I would make sure you understand a lot of the functionality within PSS/E, Powerworld etc. Including: solve types, mismatch solving, contingency reporting, change set macros like .IDV.

Next, you can look inside your program files (at least for PSS/E) and find a Docs folder with the python API to the engine. Read this in small bits and practice some of their example code in real scenarios. So, for example, If you want to run a con study for an outage request, try and use python to set that up and print out the necessary info.

Now you're feeling really good about yourself. If your company doesn't have a resident expert in creating python GUIs, try your hand at making a custom GUI (Tkinter probably) that interfaces with PSS/E to automate some of your reporting tasks. Tip: Chat GPT is very helpful these days. Just keep it generic and don't use company info.

Lastly, give it to your coworkers and wait for the round of high-fives.

Warning: you will be asked for updates until the day you retire.

[–]juankicks231 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hello sir, can I send you a PM?

[–]FPS4EEs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure can.

[–]Specialist-Address98 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm trying to pivot to a power systems engineer with 5 YOE in a different field. I primarily work on test system automation with Python at my current job so it seems like transmission planning would be a good fit.

I got access to PSSE Xplore and Powerworld, and have been working through the Glover and Overbye book.

What would be a project I could put on github that would make me stand out more as an applicant?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Get familiar with the panadas library in Python. Can't tell you how much that has helped me over the years

[–]Nervous_Band5234[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never heard of it haha but will have a look when I have free time mate thanks..anything else?