Hello everyone! My name is Bishma, and I have recently completed my PhD in power systems from IIT Bombay. During my academic journey, which began at the undergraduate level and continued through my master’s and doctoral studies, I have engaged deeply with various subjects in the field of electrical engineering and power systems. I have worked extensively on topics ranging from foundational mathematics and electrical networks to advanced concepts such as power system planning, power system protection, power system dynamics, stability studies, electricity market design, renewable energy integration, and policy evaluation. I have also gained hands-on experience with several industry-standard tools and programming languages that are commonly used by both academia and industry professionals. In this blog, I would like to share my insights and experiences so that students—whether at the bachelor’s level, the master’s level, or the PhD level—can better understand how to approach their studies, select relevant projects, prepare for advanced research, build the skills needed by the industry, and identify future career paths in the power systems domain.

Fundamental Subjects and Their Importance

As a power systems engineer, it is essential to have a strong command of several key subjects. During undergraduate (BTech) studies, students typically encounter many of these subjects, which form the foundation for mastering the more advanced concepts in power systems.

1. Mathematics (Engineering Mathematics):
   Mathematics is at the root of almost every analytical and computational technique used in power systems. It is not just about solving equations but also about understanding optimization methods, numerical solutions, and algorithmic approaches that are essential for analyzing complex networks, performing load flow studies, and running simulations. Mathematics learned at the BTech level is directly applicable and highly valuable in power systems.

2. Electrical Networks:
   The subject of electrical networks, which is often taught at the undergraduate level, sets the foundation for understanding how power flows through various components of the grid. A strong grasp of concepts like Kirchhoff’s laws, network theorems, and equivalent circuits is crucial. Without a clear understanding of electrical networks, it is challenging to comprehend more advanced topics in power systems.

3. Core Power System Subjects:
   In most BTech programs, power systems are taught in multiple parts or courses. These courses together cover a broad range of topics, including generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, as well as load flow analysis, fault studies, stability analysis, and system operations. All these core power system subjects are critical, as they provide a well-rounded understanding of how large-scale grids function, how different components interact, and how to ensure the reliable supply of electricity.

4. Electrical Machines and Power Electronics:
   Although electrical machines and power electronics may seem slightly separate from core power system studies, they are actually very important add-ons. Knowledge of how machines (such as generators and motors) operate, and how power electronics converters (like inverters and rectifiers) function, is extremely helpful. These topics become especially relevant when dealing with integrated systems that incorporate renewable energy sources, storage devices, and complex control strategies.

Key Topics and Advanced Areas Within Power Systems

As one moves beyond the undergraduate level, either at the master’s or the PhD level, there are more specialized and advanced topics that students and researchers need to explore:

1. Power System Protection:
   Power system protection involves understanding how to protect electrical networks against various faults and disturbances. Topics include protective relays, circuit breakers, and protection schemes that ensure the safe operation of the system. Having a strong understanding of protection is essential for maintaining grid stability and preventing large-scale blackouts.

2. Power System Planning and Operation:
   Planning involves long-term decision-making, such as determining how much generation capacity is needed, where new lines should be constructed, and how to ensure that the growing load demand can be met. Operation involves activities like load flow studies and state estimation, ensuring that the system runs smoothly under normal and contingency conditions. Both planning and operation require extensive analytical work and are areas where the industry focuses a lot of attention.

3. Power System Dynamics and Stability (Master’s Level Topics):
   At the master’s level, students delve into system dynamics and stability. This means studying how the power system responds over time to changes, disturbances, or faults. Ensuring stability involves looking at transient behavior, small-signal stability, and long-term dynamics. These areas become extremely important when integrating new technologies and dealing with changing load patterns.

4. Integration of Renewable Energy Sources:
   Today, the power sector is experiencing a significant shift towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Integrating these variable and often intermittent sources into the existing system requires careful studies. Researchers and professionals must understand how renewables affect load flow, stability, and reliability. They must also develop strategies to handle uncertainty in power generation due to weather conditions.

5. Electricity Markets and Deregulation (PhD-Level and Policy-Oriented Work):
   Many countries are moving away from vertically integrated government-owned utilities towards deregulated markets where private players can participate. This creates a market structure akin to financial markets, where generators, consumers, and managers interact under certain regulations. My own PhD research focused on evaluating policies and frameworks from the perspective of renewable energy generators. I examined how they should participate in existing electricity markets, what regulations they must adhere to, and how they can plan their generation for tomorrow. Research in this area involves designing market rules, assessing policies, determining optimal bidding strategies, and ensuring that these markets run efficiently and fairly. Such work is often funded by government agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India.

Selecting Projects at Different Academic Levels

When choosing projects, it is important to consider your academic stage and what is typically expected of you at that level.

Undergraduate (BTech) Level Projects:
At the BTech level, the expectation is not necessarily to produce ground-breaking research. Instead, the goal is to develop a good understanding of the subjects, enhance skill sets, and gain exposure to tools and techniques. For example, a BTech student might choose a project that involves:

• Implementing load flow calculations in MATLAB or Python.

• Simulating the integration of a small renewable energy source into a simple distribution network and analyzing its impact on system voltages and currents.

• Using simulation tools like PowerWorld or ETAP to visualize how faults or line outages affect certain parts of the system.

These kinds of projects help undergraduate students become comfortable with industry-standard tools, reinforce their understanding of theoretical concepts, and prepare them for more advanced studies or immediate industry roles.

Master’s and PhD-Level Projects:
At the master’s or PhD level, the complexity increases and students often tackle projects related to research and innovation. Some common areas include:

• Integration Studies: Examining the implications of adding large-scale renewables, storage systems, or new technologies into the existing grid.

• Planning and Scheduling (Unit Commitment Problems): Devising methods to decide which generators run at what levels, how storage units are scheduled, and how to balance load and generation cost-effectively.

• Power Portfolio Management: If a stakeholder has multiple generation sources—wind, solar, diesel, and storage—how should they optimally schedule their resources?

• Electricity Market Models and Policy Studies: Analyzing how new policies or market rules affect different stakeholders, such as renewable energy generators, and determining strategies for efficient and profitable participation.

Recommended Software Tools and Programming Languages

Practical skills are highly valued in both research and industry. To analyze power systems and tackle the complexities mentioned above, certain tools and programming languages are commonly used:

• MATLAB and Simulink:
  Most students are introduced to MATLAB during their BTech. MATLAB, along with Simulink, is extensively used for simulations, control system analysis, stability studies, and algorithm development in power systems.

• Power System Analysis Tools (ETAP, PowerWorld, DIgSILENT PowerFactory):
  These specialized software packages are standard in industry and academia. They help with load flow analysis, short-circuit calculations, stability studies, and protection simulations. Many of these tools offer academic licenses or open-source versions, making them accessible to students.

• MATPOWER:
  MATPOWER is an open-source MATLAB-based package that specifically helps with optimal power flow and other advanced power system studies. Developing familiarity with MATPOWER can significantly boost your research capabilities.

• Python and Data Handling (NumPy, Pandas):
  The industry is increasingly using Python due to its flexibility, strong libraries for numerical and data analysis, and integration with machine learning frameworks. Python is helpful for handling large amounts of data, running optimization routines, and even performing clustering or predictive analytics on power system data.

Advice for Students: BTech to Master’s, Master’s to PhD, and Beyond

For BTech Students:

• Focus on the fundamentals. Work diligently on your core subjects—mathematics, electrical networks, and the various power system courses you encounter.

• Completing assignments on your own enhances your conceptual clarity.

• Consider appearing for exams like GATE. Even if you do not plan to pursue a master’s degree, preparing for GATE ensures you have strong fundamentals that will help you in industry jobs as well.

For Master’s and PhD Aspirants:

• Pursuing a master’s or a PhD in power systems can “unlock so many opportunities” for you. With an advanced degree, you can establish a form of monopoly or niche expertise in the market, making you more valuable to employers.

• Master’s and PhD programs provide the environment and resources needed to develop specialized skill sets. As the world moves towards decarbonization, and as power systems become more complex, there will be a great boom in demand for professionals who understand advanced concepts and can work on cutting-edge projects.

• Hang in there during the challenging times. Higher studies in power systems require patience, persistence, and a continuous willingness to learn.

Career Opportunities After Master’s and PhD

Upon completing a master’s or PhD in power systems, you will find that the global move towards integrating renewables, ensuring grid stability, and adapting to electricity markets offers numerous job opportunities:

• Multinational Companies and Consulting Firms:
  Companies like Siemens, L&T, Hitachi Power, ABB, and GE often hire master’s graduates as application or lead application engineers. With an advanced degree, you may directly enter roles that involve R&D, system planning, market analysis, or advanced simulations.

• R&D Departments and Industry Research:
  PhD graduates are in demand for roles that mix application and research. As the power system goes through dynamic changes and requires a lot of R&D, companies look for PhD holders who can solve complex problems, develop new simulation models, analyze policies, and improve existing tools.

As power systems evolve to accommodate renewables, market deregulation, and decarbonization, the number of vacancies and the demand for specialized skills will continue to grow. Whether you want to work in a government-funded laboratory, a university, a multinational company’s R&D center, or a consulting firm, having strong fundamentals, practical skills, and a willingness to tackle new challenges is key.

Final Thoughts

My final advice is: do not worry too much about the future uncertainties. Focus on what you have in front of you right now. During your BTech, concentrate on core subjects and build a strong foundation. Develop your skills in handling simulation tools, solving load flow problems, analyzing system stability, and understanding how markets might shape the future of electricity distribution and generation. If you find the field interesting and want to gain a competitive edge, consider a master’s or PhD to deepen your expertise. With dedication and continuous learning, you can position yourself to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the power systems domain, contribute meaningfully to the evolving energy landscape, and play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner, more reliable, and more efficient power grid for the future.