POWER SYSTEMS / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTEDITION 02 · SEP 2026
WORLD BRIEFING · 30 SEP 2026Grid investment, new equipment and engineering research
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Build deeper.
Think system-wide.

A practical route from P&C commissioning to protection design, power-system studies and OT security.

12months
3 connected disciplines
One integrated capstone
STARTING POINT · MODULE 01

Know what the relay sees.

Start with CT ratios, residual current and the source-to-trip path. Then build the transformer protection depth you need for T60 work.

600/5 CT · 180 A primaryIsecondary = 180 ÷ 120 = 1.50 A
Open your first module
A SUSTAINABLE WEEK

8 hours / week

Mon + Tue
Concepts & calculations 1.5 h
Thursday
Manual & signal tracing 1 h
Saturday
Main practical exercise 3 h
Sunday
Studies, OT & review 2.5 h

Busy week? Use four hours: 1.5 h theory, 2 h practice and 30 min review.

THE LEARNING STANDARD

Explain the fault. Derive the expected result. Trace the implementation. Design a discriminating test. Defend the conclusion.

01 / DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY

Your 12-month roadmap

Suggested start: October 2026

48 teaching weeks plus four catch-up weeks. Expand a module for its weekly work, deliverable and readiness check. Advance on evidence; move dates around outages and coursework.

01Foundations & measurementP&C

CT/VT ratios, phasors, zones and the complete source-to-trip path.

  1. Week 1 Draw a fictional one-line and mark protection-zone overlap.
  2. Week 2 Calculate primary and secondary quantities; distinguish phase current, residual and a separate neutral CT.
  3. Week 3 Trace source → element → blocking → output → trip circuit.
  4. Week 4 Prepare phase and residual overcurrent test specifications.
Make it tangible

Labelled one-line, ten conversion examples and a source-to-trip diagram.

Readiness check

Given a new CT ratio, predict metering and explain what a pickup test does not prove.

02Transformer protection · GE T60P&C

Understand differential stability before designing operating tests.

  1. Week 1 Calculate winding full-load currents, vector groups, grounding and bases.
  2. Week 2 Map winding CTs to relay sources; study ratio matching and compensation.
  3. Week 3 Use the matching T60 manual to calculate operating/restraint points, slopes and harmonic supervision.
  4. Week 4 Design internal-fault, external-fault, inrush/blocking and backup-overcurrent cases.
Make it tangible

Transformer application note, source map and test matrix.

Readiness check

Explain how a CT-ratio change can affect differential behaviour even if the 87 settings fields are unchanged.

03Fault analysis & sequence networksPower systems

Connect fault physics to the quantities a relay actually measures.

  1. Week 1 Derive per-unit bases, base changes and a Thevenin equivalent.
  2. Week 2 Convert phase quantities to symmetrical components and back.
  3. Week 3 Build sequence networks for ground and phase faults; vary grounding.
  4. Week 4 Compare hand results with a fictional three-bus model.
Make it tangible

Fault-study memo with balanced and unbalanced cases.

Readiness check

Distinguish total bus fault current from the current through a particular relay.

04Overcurrent & coordinationP&C

Explain why a setting is appropriate, then verify it.

  1. Week 1 Compare load limits, minimum fault sensitivity and pickup multiples.
  2. Week 2 Apply the exact inverse-time curve equation and breaker clearing time.
  3. Week 3 Test directional polarization, forward/reverse response and supervision.
  4. Week 4 Coordinate three devices under strong and weak source conditions.
Make it tangible

Coordination plot with settings rationale and limitations.

Readiness check

Diagnose miscoordination caused by pickup, timing, curve shape or system changes.

05Distance protectionP&C

Translate system impedance into reach and meaningful test phasors.

  1. Week 1 Convert primary impedance to relay ohms and plot R-X zones.
  2. Week 2 Study phase/ground loops and the device’s residual compensation convention.
  3. Week 3 Explore fault resistance, load encroachment and infeed/outfeed.
  4. Week 4 Design at least six inside/outside and forward/reverse cases.
Make it tangible

R-X plot, reach calculations and boundary-test matrix.

Readiness check

Explain why a point inside the apparent zone may still be blocked or not operate.

06Pilot schemes & breaker failureP&C

Follow protection across terminals and through the breaker.

  1. Week 1 Compare POTT, PUTT, blocking, direct transfer trip and line differential.
  2. Week 2 Build truth tables for permissive receipt, channel loss and weak infeed.
  3. Week 3 Trace breaker-failure initiation, supervision, retrip and backup trip.
  4. Week 4 Design end-to-end cases with explicit time-reference and uncertainty assumptions.
Make it tangible

Logic diagrams, trip matrix and deliberate nonoperation cases.

Readiness check

Explain which terminals trip for internal/external faults with healthy and failed channels.

07Power-system studies · PSS/EPower systems

Build a small defensible study and check the model.

  1. Week 1 Build a fictional three-to-five-bus case; identify slack, PV and PQ buses.
  2. Week 2 Vary load, power factor, taps and reactive support.
  3. Week 3 Study one outage and one weak-source condition.
  4. Week 4 Export results with Python where licensing permits and independently check units.
Make it tangible

Study memo with base case, variations, checks and a recommendation.

Readiness check

Find an incorrect impedance or unit and distinguish power flow, fault and dynamic studies.

08Protection design & documentationP&C

Translate protection philosophy into a coherent bay design.

  1. Week 1 Define zones, CT cores, redundancy and breaker arrangements.
  2. Week 2 Develop AC/DC schematics, terminals, trip supplies and alarm logic.
  3. Week 3 Calculate training examples for burden, voltage drop and DC duty.
  4. Week 4 Prepare a design review, settings-change assessment and FAT/SAT outline.
Make it tangible

Fictional transformer-bay design package and acceptance-test outline.

Readiness check

Find wrong CT allocation, missing trip-supply supervision and inconsistent source names.

09Event analysis & troubleshootingP&C

Build conclusions from measurements and a defensible timeline.

  1. Week 1 Study COMTRADE scaling, channel definitions, sample rates and time quality.
  2. Week 2 Separate fault inception, pickup, output, breaker contact and current interruption.
  3. Week 3 Compare hypotheses for saturation, polarity, inrush and blocking.
  4. Week 4 Write intended-operation and apparent-misoperation reports using synthetic/public data.
Make it tangible

Annotated plots, timing tables and two concise incident reports.

Readiness check

State the evidence for your conclusion and what the available data cannot establish.

10Digital substations & communicationsDigital substations

Understand the network, protocol and timing paths.

  1. Week 1 Learn Ethernet, IP, subnets, VLANs, routing, multicast and redundancy.
  2. Week 2 Trace DNP3 points, scaling, quality, classes, events and controls.
  3. Week 3 Map IEC 61850 logical nodes, datasets, GOOSE, MMS and Sampled Values.
  4. Week 4 Compare IRIG-B, PTP, GNSS, holdover and time-quality failure.
Make it tangible

Lab network drawing, point list, packet explanation and failure matrix.

Readiness check

Distinguish connectivity, mapping, timestamp and application-logic failures.

11Practical OT cybersecurityCybersecurity

Build security around availability, engineering access and recovery.

  1. Week 1 Inventory assets, trust boundaries, data flows and physical consequences.
  2. Week 2 Design segmentation, least privilege, jump access and logging in an isolated lab.
  3. Week 3 Create a baseline and backup, then demonstrate restoration and rollback.
  4. Week 4 Investigate a fictional unauthorized configuration change or loss of trustworthy time.
Make it tangible

OT architecture, risk register and demonstrated restore record.

Readiness check

Explain how each control affects protection availability and how recovery is verified.

12Integration & technical leadershipIntegration

Defend an integrated design and its trade-offs.

  1. Week 1 Compare utility, generator, UPS and limited-source operating conditions.
  2. Week 2 Identify common-mode failures, maintenance isolation and BESS protection limitations.
  3. Week 3 Integrate a fictional 115/13.8 kV supply, transformer, feeder and digital network.
  4. Week 4 Present for 15 minutes and defend five engineering decisions.
Make it tangible

Capstone package and two-page decision memo.

Readiness check

Explain an acceptable alternative, why you chose your approach and what evidence would change it.

THE FIRST-YEAR OUTCOME

More reliable judgement.
Stronger technical evidence.

Build readiness for supervised protection design and studies. SME standing develops through repeated delivery, review and experience with unusual conditions.

YOUR THREE PORTFOLIO PIECES
  1. Transformer application
  2. Coordination & fault study
  3. Integrated capstone

Use fictional systems and permitted public data. Label every piece as training work.

Start PSS/E early

Check your school access in week one. Begin a small model alongside the foundations; don’t wait until Module 7 if access may expire.

Keep credentials focused

Continue your P.Eng work separately. Choose one additional exam when it supports a specific role and fits the workload.

02 / CONNECT LEARNING TO THE GRID

Utility project watch

RESEARCHED 30 SEP 2026

A dated research snapshot, with Ontario first and selected international developments. Source dates and project stages are explicit. Learning applications are suggested exercises, not claims about a utility’s installed protection scheme.

ONTARIO · TRANSMISSION

North Shore Link

Approval application

Hydro One and HOSSM filed a joint leave-to-construct application for a proposed 230 kV line between Mississagi and Third Line stations, with related station work. Filing is a project milestone; it is not construction approval.

Learning application · suggested

Create a fictional line-terminal trip matrix. Compare channel failure, breaker failure and backup-clearing paths.

Modules 5 · 6 · 8
Hydro One release
ONTARIO · SYSTEM EXPANSION

Waterloo Wellington Power Line

Environmental assessment

Hydro One lists an ongoing Class Environmental Assessment, four route alternatives and September 2026 open houses. Its current project page targets service in 2032; dates remain subject to change.

Learning application · suggested

Build a load-growth scenario in your small power-flow model. Explain when voltage or thermal limits justify reinforcement.

Modules 3 · 7 · 8
Hydro One project page
ONTARIO · TRANSMISSION

Waasigan Transmission Line

Construction update

A September report quotes Hydro One targeting phase-one energization by the end of 2026 and phase two by the end of 2027. The utility’s project page still carries an older phase-one target, so the dates are not fully reconciled.

Learning application · suggested

Draft an energization-readiness checklist linking CT polarity, settings revisions, trip paths and end-to-end timing evidence.

Modules 1 · 5 · 6
Dated report · Northern Ontario Business
GREAT BRITAIN · GRID PLANNING

National Grid’s Triton digital twin

Launched

National Grid announced Triton, developed with Atos, to combine network datasets and support demand scenarios and reinforcement planning. This is a planning tool, not a claim of virtualized protection deployment.

Learning application · suggested

Model two demand futures and an outage. Document which inputs dominate your recommendation and how you validate them.

Modules 7 · 12
National Grid release
UNITED STATES · OT SECURITY

V-INT utility cybersecurity toolset

Completed research output

DOE reported that a University of Arkansas collaboration with Bastazo and Network Perception produced V-INT, addressing asset exposure and complex firewall-policy assessment. The toolset was integrated with commercial platforms.

Learning application · suggested

Draw an isolated lab’s allowed data flows. Identify an overly broad firewall rule, explain its consequence and document a correction.

Modules 10 · 11
U.S. Department of Energy
TECHNOLOGY WATCH · DIGITAL SUBSTATIONS

Virtualized protection & control

Vendor perspective

GE Vernova discusses software-defined protection and control and the need to integrate cybersecurity with IT/OT coordination. This is technical context, not evidence that a named utility has commissioned a new installation.

Learning application · suggested

Compare a conventional IED architecture with a virtualized concept: timing, redundancy, failure domains, rollback and acceptance testing.

Modules 10 · 11 · 12
GE Vernova technical perspective

This edition does not refresh automatically. Waasigan schedule context: Hydro One project overview. The 2025 entries are supporting technology context, not new September 2026 announcements.

03 / READ WITH A PURPOSE

Reference desk

01
Protection theory

Power System Relaying, 5th edition

Use your existing text in module order: foundations, transformer, overcurrent, distance, pilot protection and events. Use Blackburn & Domin for a second explanation.

02
Device implementation

GE T60 manuals

For the reported 7.43 platform, match the 7.4x manual to actual hardware and options. Verify source mapping and the manufacturer’s restraint definitions.

03
OT security baseline

NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3

Published OT security guidance. Start with architecture, operational constraints and recovery. Distinguish published guidance from draft revisions.

04
Protection learning

SEL ePROT 401

Optional structured theory from your plan. Substitute it for overlapping study blocks; do not stack it onto the full eight-hour week.

05
Reliability requirements

NERC protection & control standards

Learn the purpose of PRC-004, PRC-005 and PRC-027. Confirm current versions and facility applicability before using a requirement.

06
Ontario applicability

IESO enforcement dates

Use jurisdictional enforcement information alongside the relevant standard. A publication date alone does not establish applicability.

Keep the personal lab separate.

Use fictional settings and isolated training systems. Keep employer drawings, configurations and event data in approved systems. Physical relay work follows authorized isolation, testing and restoration procedures; never open an energized CT secondary.