Enhancement of Undergraduate Electric Power Courses via Commercial Electromagnetic Simulation Software

The electric power courses at Western Kentucky University emphasize proficiency in both electric machines and the integration of these machines into complex systems via transmission lines. The electric machines considered are electromagnetic devices governed by abstract principles. Recently, the courses have been enhanced by the use of commercial finite element method (FEM) software, which calculates approximate solutions to the governing differential equations and permits visualization and animation to assist in the understanding and design of the devices. This paper will describe how the technology is being used to improve an evolving project- based electric power curriculum.