EGH448 Power Electronics

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This advanced level unit introduces the principles of operation of power electronic circuits and systems used in applications from home to grid scale. This unit enables the learner

• to understand, interpret and compare the characteristics of power devices such as power diodes, thyristors, BJTs, MOSFETs, IGBTs etc.;
• analyse common types of DC-DC converters and DC-AC rectifiers and inverters;
• use simulation tools to model and analyse simple power electronic circuits; and
• perform experiments on power electronic hardware circuits including obtaining measurements.

Solar PV, wind and battery storage systems, electric vehicles, whitegoods, industrial power control, robotics, and computing at all scales rely on power electronic converters.  An understanding of power electronic circuits and systems provides the foundation for the specification, design, integration and maintenance of advanced power processing circuits.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe the principles and concepts of power electronics, including characterising and comparing power semiconductor switches, passive devices and converter topologies at a mastered level.
2. Describe, analyse and design power electronic circuits and systems comprising microcontrollers, semiconductor devices and power semiconductor switches considering factors such as efficiency, power factor, and reliability at a mastered level.
3. Acquire hands-on experience through laboratory work and projects, allowing application of theoretical knowledge to practical applications using circuit design software and laboratory experimental setups.
4. Develop skills in component acquisition, thermal design and technical documentation in view of improving the power quality of electronic systems, addressing issues like harmonic distortion at mastered level.
5. Demonstrate effective group skills and communication skills through practical laboratory work and the execution and documentation of an engineering project at a mastered level

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit places an emphasis on practical learning, with three 3-hour laboratory practicals and computer simulations. Students will work in groups using circuit design and analysis software and laboratory experimental setups to apply theoretical knowledge to practical applications.

Learning &Teaching Approaches: 4 hours per week contact: 2 hrs - lecture. Preparatory study from set textbook and/or online notes. 2 hr tutorial (independent working on problems with assistance, where possible linked to prep for labs).  In addition there will be 9 hrs practical laboratory work. In groups, students will conduct tests on a real power electronic hardware circuitry on the power electronic testbed and observe and measure input and output parameters using laboratory test equipment or data acquisition system.  Students will submit a draft and then final copy of preparation, results, analysis and discussion.  Students will simulate given power electronic circuits, analyse, discuss and report the results. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive formative feedback on your progress in the unit communicated verbally during lectures, tutorials, and lab classes and through QUT Canvas. Written feedback will be provided on completion of the project and practical laboratory work. Individual guidance will also be provided during lectures, tutorials and lab classes.

Assessment

Overview

The unit will be assessed based on three items:
1. Project 
2. Practical laboratory/simulation work
3. Examination (written)

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Project

Students will design a pulse width modulated converter. They will use simulation tools for their design and submit progress reports and a final technical report.  Peer and self assessment will be used for the moderation of grades in addition to other means.  

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately.  As part of your submission, attach a copy of all assessment related Gen AI prompts along with the generated responses as a separate .pdf file. 

Assessment: Practical laboratory work

Several laboratory experiments will run during semester. Students will submit their preparation records, experimental setup, experimental results, and analysis and discussion of results.  Peer and self assessment will be used for the moderation of grades in addition to other means. 

The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Assessment: Examination (written)

A set of questions on major concepts and problem solving from all the unit material.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Title: Introduction to Power Electronics
Author: Daniel W. Hart
Year: Publisher: (1997) Prentice Hall
Edition: 3rd

Title: Power Electronics, Circuits, Devices and Applications
Author: Muhammad H. Rashid, Narendra Kumar, Ashish Kulkarni
Year: Publisher: (2014) Pearson Education
Edition: 4th

Title: Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design
Author: Mohan, Undeland and Robbins
Year: Publisher: (2003) John Wiley & Sons
Edition: 3rd

Title: Power electronics: a first course: simulations and laboratory implementations
Authors: Ned Mohan; Siddharth Raju
Year: Publisher: (2023) John Wiley & Sons
Edition: 2nd

Title: Principles and Elements of Power Electronics
Author: Barry W Williams
Year: Published 2006 
Available free online: https://personal.eee.strath.ac.uk/barry.williams/book.html 

Software

Spice circuit analysis software (LTSpice or equivalent)

Other

QUT Canvas

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

You will have to do practical work for the project in the laboratory under the supervision of technical staff of the School. You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective clothing (e.g. closed shoes). You will undergo a health and safety induction before being allowed access to laboratories.

QUT has a formal risk assessment process which can be used to determine the types or risks and how you should handle them.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. 
   Relates to: Project

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Project
3. 
   Relates to: Project
4. 
   Relates to: Project

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Project
2. 
   Relates to: Project
3. 
   Relates to: Project

Course Learning Outcomes

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Display leadership, creativity, and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO5
2. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
   Relates to: ULO4, Practical laboratory work
3. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, Examination (written)
5. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)

EN53 Master of Renewable Energy

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Renewable Energy
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work
2. Analyse and evaluate Renwable Energy problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading edge research to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work
3. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering decision making and professional accountability.
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work

EN60 Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

1. Demonstrate and apply specialised knowledge and technical skills in at least one Engineering discipline.
   Relates to: Project, Examination (written)
2. Critically investigate real world engineering issues and solve complex problems drawing on specialised creative skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, theory and practice.
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. Employ effective written and oral professional communication skills across social, cultural and discipline domains.
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work
4. Exercise responsibility and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice including working independently, ethically and collaboratively.
   Relates to: Project

EN73 Master of Renewable Energy with Project Management

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. Analyse and evaluate problems in Renewable Energy and Project Management domains using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading-edge research to achieve evidence based, innovative, critically informed solutions and outcomes
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work

EN76 Master of Renewable Energy with Data Analytics

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Renewable Energy and Data Analytics domains
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. Analyse and evaluate problems in Renewable Energy and Data Analytics domains using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading-edge research to achieve evidence based, innovative, critically informed solutions and outcomes
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work

EN79 Graduate Diploma in Engineering Studies

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary Engineering practice
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
2. Analyse and evaluate Engineering problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading edge research to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)
3. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
   Relates to: Practical laboratory work

EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Project, Practical laboratory work, Examination (written)