Specialization: High Voltage
This profile focuses on High Voltage Transmission Networks for large-scale implementation of Renewable Energy Sources (solar, wind, wave), development of intelligent materials, monitoring of HV systems, and the optimization and controllability of HV transmission grids.
You will learn about the physics involved in high-voltage constructions, as well as testing and diagnostics of materials and components. During these courses, you will see demonstrations in the recently renovated High Voltage Laboratory of the TU Delft. This can be combined with more in-depth knowledge about power systems or power electronics.
Courses
The most important courses of the High Voltage (HV) profile are listed in the table below. These courses will teach you the basics of high-voltage engineering, as well as more advanced topics such as cable systems, HVDC, and high-voltage testing. Because of the industrial nature of high voltage, each course will have guest lectures in which people from industry (for example, TenneT, NKT, and DNV) share their experiences and offer the opportunity for interaction.
In these courses, you will also learn to use COMSOL Multiphysics for electrostatic, magnetic, and thermal analysis of high voltage constructions.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|
| ET4103 – High Voltage Technology | ET8020 – High Voltage Testing and Diagnostics (lectures) | ET8020 – High Voltage Testing and Diagnostics (lectures + lab) |
| EE4625 – High Voltage Cable System | EE4111 – High Voltage DC |
Depending on your interests, the HV profile can be combined with the power electronics or IEPG profile.
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar
I was born in Tehran in 1984. I got my MSc degree in Iran, in 2008 and PhD degree in Sweden, in 2015. Afterwards, I worked at STRI, Ludvika, as a senior engineer. In 2016 I joined TU Delft as an assistant professor in the field of high voltage. I am an instructor of bachelor courses (EE1C11 Linear Circuits A and EE1C21 Linear Circuits B) and teacher/instructor of master courses (ET4103 High Voltage Technology, EE4625 High Voltage Cable System, and EE4111 High-Voltage DC).
High voltage science is used in energy applications (transformers, HVDC converters, cables etc.) as well as non-energy applications (accelerators, X-ray machines, electron microscopy, etc.). In the High Voltage Technology (HVT) group, we do research on various aspects of high voltage science and engineering. From the basics of formation and propagation of electrical discharges to modelling, design and optimization of high voltage components. From testing and monitoring of HV equipment to the evaluation of ageing and estimation of the remaining lifetime of assets, are all covered in high voltage track. Although high voltage is studied in the electrical engineering program, it also has a lot to do with physics and sometimes chemistry. An all-around field of science so to say.
Currently, my main research focus is on combinations of power electronics and high voltage science. I envision a future power electronics-dominated grid, in which the insulation systems of power components undergo high-frequency PWM electric stress due to the operation of PE devices. We are developing a PE-based HV test source, to be able to test insulation systems of power converters under in-service electric stress. Utilizing such a test source, we can study the ageing mechanisms of insulation materials under different wave shapes and propose suitable design guidelines for medium/high voltage power converters.
Furthermore, I work on transformers. I love to understand this seemingly simple device as thoroughly as possible. Developing design guidelines for pulse transformers and high voltage medium-frequency transformers, MFT winding loss calculation, modelling and optimization of power transformers windings to control the voltage distribution along the winding during overvoltages, the impact of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) on transformer losses, etc. are examples of transformer-related topics that we have been busy with during the past few years.
Electric aircraft are another topic that is coming into the picture. To reduce weight, the voltage level has to increase while operating at high altitudes under lower atmospheric pressure. This introduces serious high voltage issues for wiring, converters and electric motors of the electric aircraft. This is another front that I am active in.
We have course projects for each high voltage course. I will teach you how to use COMSOL Multiphysics, with which you can create physical models. For example, electric field calculation in substations, designing outdoor insulators, cable ampacity calculation, HVDC cable electro-thermal model, magnetic field analysis of cables, etc. In our courses, we also offer demos in our unique HV lab. You will observe demonstrations of real physical phenomena that you have studied in the lectures.
The job market for our master’s students is remarkable. Our MSc students have found jobs in well-known companies, usually several months before they finish their studies. Companies such as Royal SMIT Transformers, TenneT, DNV, Prysmian, KEMA, Lovink, NKT, TKF, ASML, Vattenfall, ABB-Hitachi, Siemens, DEME, etc. are examples where our students ended up working.
Currently, my hobby is making YouTube videos. The videos are intended to document my life. But my life and my job are so merged that most of the videos are about high voltage, COMSOL, MATLAB, etc.