Virtual platforms for teaching harmonic load flow to engineering students

Power simulation software is an essential tool for teaching power system courses in higher institution because real power simulators such as Distribution trainer, Protection and relay trainer, generator trainer and so on are not available in majority of the higher institutions, especially in developing countries. Consequently, this paper advocated for the use of appropriate simulation tools as provisional substitute to laboratories that are fully equipped with the state-of-art equipment. The standard spreadsheet-based PCFLO and emerging MATLAB-based M-Fileplatforms were trial tested on Nigerian Power Grid data. Simulation results obtained in this study have adequately demonstrated the effectiveness of both the two platforms. Comparative analysis between them has further revealed the strength of the well established PCFLO over the M-File. It was therefore recommended that technical and engineering educators should adopt PCFLO in their content delivery.