This book provides an accessible, broad and up-to-date overview of alternating current (AC) power systems. The focus of the chapters is on the structure, functioning, and organization of the power system. New to the second edition is coverage of the steady-state modelling of the power system components (including symmetrical components), covered in a new appendix. There are thorough updates to Chapters 7 - on electricity markets - and 8, on the future of power systems, with topical information on smart grids. There is a brand new chapter on grounding, protection and system faults, and new exercises in every chapter (with solutions in the appendix), aiding readers in their understanding of the material introduced. Written in a clear style, the first edition has established itself as one of the best books for introducing the subjects surrounding electrical power systems. With an original approach it covers new and advanced topic such as FACTS devices, Maxwell, transformer inrush, and topics from power electronics (e.g. voltage source converter, (gate turn-off) thyristors, pulse-width modulation) and high voltage engineering (e.g. insulation, corona, lightning, electric field strength). Throughout the book there are examples and case studies that back up the theory or techniques presented. The authors set out information on mathematical modelling and equations in appendices, rather than integrated in a potentially confusing way in the text, in order to make the text accessible for undergraduate students and readers without a technical background directly related to power engineering.
