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M-TECH in Power System Engineering at National Institute of Technology Patna
Patna, Bihar
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About the Specialization
What is Power System Engineering at National Institute of Technology Patna Patna?
This Power System Engineering program at National Institute of Technology Patna focuses on equipping engineers with advanced knowledge in power generation, transmission, distribution, and control. With India''''s rapidly expanding energy infrastructure and push for renewable integration, the program addresses critical challenges in grid modernization, smart technologies, and sustainable energy management. It emphasizes theoretical foundations alongside practical applications relevant to the evolving Indian power sector.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for electrical engineering graduates seeking to specialize in the core energy sector or its emerging domains. It caters to fresh B.Tech/B.E. graduates aiming for entry-level roles in power utilities, renewable energy firms, or R&D. Working professionals in the power industry looking to upgrade their skills in areas like smart grids, power electronics, or energy management will also find this program highly beneficial for career advancement.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect promising career paths in Indian PSUs like NTPC, PGCIL, BHEL, and various state electricity boards, as well as private energy companies. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program prepares students for roles in power plant operation, grid management, renewable energy project development, and advanced research, aligning with industry certifications in energy management and power quality.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Power System Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on building a strong foundation in advanced power system analysis, stability, and control. Regularly revise fundamental concepts from undergraduate studies to strengthen understanding. Participate in doubt-clearing sessions and form study groups with peers.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL courses (specifically for Power Systems), Reference textbooks (e.g., Kothari & Nagrath, Hadi Saadat), MATLAB/Simulink tutorials, Online forums like EE Times
Career Connection
A solid conceptual base is crucial for cracking technical interviews for core power sector roles in PSUs and private companies.
Develop Software Proficiency for Power Systems- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage in Power System Lab sessions to gain hands-on experience with simulation software like MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD/EMTDC, and ETAP. Work on mini-projects to apply theoretical knowledge and troubleshoot simulation issues.
Tools & Resources
Official software documentation, YouTube tutorials, Departmental lab manuals, Coursera/edX courses on power system simulation
Career Connection
Proficiency in industry-standard software is a key requirement for roles in power system design, analysis, and R&D.
Engage in Departmental Seminars & Workshops- (Semester 1-2)
Attend all departmental seminars, guest lectures, and workshops relevant to power systems, especially those focusing on smart grids, renewable integration, and power electronics. Actively participate in discussions and network with faculty and industry experts.
Tools & Resources
Departmental notice boards, Institution''''s event calendar, LinkedIn for professional networking
Career Connection
Expands knowledge beyond curriculum, helps identify areas of interest for future specialization and projects, and builds professional connections.
Intermediate Stage
Initiate Research & Project Work with Focus- (Semester 3)
Begin your Project Part I with a clear problem statement derived from contemporary challenges in the Indian power sector (e.g., grid stability with high renewables, EV charging infrastructure). Collaborate closely with your supervisor, conduct thorough literature reviews, and define a robust methodology.
Tools & Resources
IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Google Scholar for research papers, Mendeley/Zotero for reference management, NITP library resources
Career Connection
A strong research project enhances problem-solving skills, demonstrates specialized knowledge, and is highly valued for R&D roles and further academic pursuits.
Develop Strong Presentation & Communication Skills- (Semester 3)
Utilize the Seminar course to hone your technical presentation and scientific communication abilities. Practice articulating complex ideas clearly and concisely. Seek feedback from peers and faculty to improve delivery and content.
Tools & Resources
PowerPoint/Google Slides, LaTeX for technical reports, Public speaking workshops, Toastmasters International (if available)
Career Connection
Essential for presenting project work, defending thesis, and effective communication in industry and academia.
Explore Internship Opportunities/Industry Projects- (Semester 3 and inter-semester breaks)
Actively seek short-term internships or industry-sponsored projects during the semester break or concurrently, if manageable. Focus on companies or research labs working on advanced power system technologies relevant to your specialization.
Tools & Resources
NITP Placement Cell, LinkedIn, Company career pages (e.g., Siemens, ABB, Tata Power), Professional networks
Career Connection
Provides invaluable practical exposure, strengthens industry connections, and often leads to pre-placement offers.
Advanced Stage
Intensive Project Completion & Thesis Writing- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant effort to Project Part II, focusing on implementation, data analysis, and result validation. Meticulously document your findings and prepare a high-quality thesis. Regularly meet with your supervisor for guidance and feedback.
Tools & Resources
Specialized simulation tools, High-performance computing resources (if needed), LaTeX/Microsoft Word for thesis writing, Grammarly for proofreading
Career Connection
The culmination of your research demonstrates your capability for independent problem-solving and contributes significantly to your portfolio for placements or Ph.D. applications.
Strategic Placement Preparation- (Semester 4)
Actively participate in campus placement drives. Prepare thoroughly for technical interviews by revising core power system concepts, practicing aptitude tests, and mock interviews. Tailor your resume and cover letter to specific company requirements.
Tools & Resources
NITP Placement Cell workshops, Online aptitude platforms (e.g., IndiaBix), Interview preparation guides, Company-specific technical interview questions
Career Connection
Directly leads to securing employment in desired power sector companies.
Networking and Professional Body Engagement- (Semester 4 and beyond)
Maintain and expand your professional network established during internships and workshops. Consider joining professional bodies like IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) or Institution of Engineers (India) for access to journals, conferences, and career resources.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, IEEE PES membership, Departmental alumni network, Industry conferences and webinars
Career Connection
Opens doors to new opportunities, mentors, and stays updated with industry trends, fostering long-term career growth.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.E./B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering/Electrical & Electronics Engineering with valid GATE score in Electrical Engineering or Equivalent and minimum 6.5 CPI or 60% of marks in qualifying degree. (For SC/ST/PwD candidates, 6.0 CPI or 55% of marks).
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 68 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30% (for theory subjects), External: 70% (for theory subjects)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPC-101 | Power System Stability | Core | 3 | Fundamentals of power system stability, Rotor angle stability, Small signal stability, Voltage stability, Transient stability analysis, Dynamic stability |
| PSPC-102 | Advanced Power System Analysis | Core | 3 | Network modelling, Load flow studies (Newton-Raphson, Fast Decoupled), Symmetrical components, Fault analysis, Power system optimization, State estimation |
| PSEE-1xx | Elective – I | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-101, PSEE-102, PSEE-103, PSEE-104. |
| PSEE-101 | HVDC & FACTS | Elective | 3 | HVDC transmission, Converters and control of HVDC, FACTS devices, Static VAR Compensator (SVC), Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) |
| PSEE-102 | Advanced Control System | Elective | 3 | State space analysis, Controllability and Observability, Nonlinear systems, Optimal control, Adaptive control, Sliding mode control |
| PSEE-103 | Restructured Power System | Elective | 3 | Power market restructuring, Deregulation models, Electricity pricing, Ancillary services, Market power, Congestion management |
| PSEE-104 | Smart Grid Technology | Elective | 3 | Smart grid components and architecture, Communication technologies in smart grid, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Demand response, Distributed generation integration, Cyber security in smart grids |
| PSEE-1xx | Elective – II | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-101, PSEE-102, PSEE-103, PSEE-104. |
| PSEE-1xx | Elective – III | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-101, PSEE-102, PSEE-103, PSEE-104. |
| PSPL-101 | Power System Lab – I | Lab | 4 | Power system software tools (MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD/EMTP), Load flow analysis experiments, Short circuit analysis, Stability studies simulations, Relay coordination principles, Grid interconnection studies |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPC-201 | Power System Dynamics and Control | Core | 3 | Synchronous machine modelling, Excitation systems, Governors and speed control, Power system stabilizers, Small signal analysis, Coherency and aggregation |
| PSPC-202 | Advanced Power Electronics | Core | 3 | Power semiconductor devices, DC-DC converters, AC-DC converters (rectifiers), DC-AC inverters, Resonant converters, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques |
| PSEE-2xx | Elective – IV | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-201, PSEE-202, PSEE-203, PSEE-204. |
| PSEE-201 | Electric Drives | Elective | 3 | Electric drive components, DC motor drives, AC motor drives (induction, synchronous), Vector control of AC machines, Sensorless control, Regenerative braking |
| PSEE-202 | Non-Conventional Energy Sources | Elective | 3 | Solar energy systems (PV, thermal), Wind energy systems, Biomass energy technologies, Geothermal energy, Ocean energy conversion, Hybrid renewable energy systems |
| PSEE-203 | Power System Protection | Elective | 3 | Protective relays and their characteristics, Overcurrent protection, Distance protection, Differential protection, Transformer protection, Busbar and generator protection |
| PSEE-204 | Machine Learning Applications in Power Systems | Elective | 3 | Introduction to Machine Learning, Supervised and Unsupervised learning, Reinforcement learning fundamentals, ML in load forecasting, Anomaly detection in power grids, Renewable energy generation prediction |
| PSEE-2xx | Elective – V | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-201, PSEE-202, PSEE-203, PSEE-204. |
| PSEE-2xx | Elective – VI | Elective | 3 | Students choose one from PSEE-201, PSEE-202, PSEE-203, PSEE-204. |
| PSPL-201 | Power System Lab – II | Lab | 4 | Advanced power electronics experiments, Converter/inverter control implementation, Electric drive system testing, Renewable energy system integration simulations, Smart grid communication protocols, Power quality analysis techniques |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPC-301 | Research Methodology | Core | 3 | Research problem formulation, Literature review and gap identification, Research design and methods, Data collection and analysis techniques, Report writing and presentation, Ethics in research |
| PSPP-301 | Project Part – I | Project | 8 | Problem identification and definition, Extensive literature survey, Methodology formulation and planning, Preliminary design and simulation, Interim report preparation, Mid-term presentation and evaluation |
| PSSM-301 | Seminar | Seminar | 3 | Technical presentation skills, Synthesis of research literature, Effective communication of scientific work, Q&A session management, Topic selection and scope definition, Preparation of seminar report |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPP-401 | Project Part – II | Project | 16 | Detailed design, implementation, and experimentation, Data analysis and interpretation of results, Validation and verification of proposed solutions, Comprehensive thesis writing, Final project defense (Viva-Voce), Preparation for potential publication |
