Development of a power learning environment

The power industry is currently going through many changes due to deregulation. In addition, ABET 2000 has encouraged changes in engineering education. This paper describes efforts by power faculty to provide students with a more hands-on active learning experience with power systems and power electronics. The courses affected include the energy conversion course required of all electrical engineering students, and the power laboratory course required of students taking the electric power option. The paper describes work done and in progress to convert the traditional power laboratory into a "power learning environment" in which instruction can flow from lecture to laboratory to computer demonstration formats with ease. Future plans for the project are also discussed.