ESE 352: Electromechanical Energy Converters (Fall 2025)
Course Information
- Instructor: Yifan Zhou
- Lecture time: 3:30pm-4:50pm Tu/Th
- Location: Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library E4315
- Office hours: Wednesday 1 pm-5 pm (in-person or online)
Course Description
An introduction to the conversion of mechanical power to electric power (generators) and the conversion of electric power to mechanical power (motors). Analysis of the interaction of magnetic fields with electric current and moving conductors to produce electromagnetic force and induced voltage. Energy converters studied include three phase AC synchronous generators and motors, AC induction motors, DC linear and rotating machines, and single-phase AC motors. An introduction to inverter-based renewable energy generation in power systems.
Textbook
Electric Machinery Fundamentals (5th ed. McGraw Hill) Chapman (ISBN 978-07-352954-0)
Prerequisites
ESE 271 - Electrical Circuit Analysis
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of:
- The interaction of magnetic fields with electric current and moving conductors in the production of electromagnetic induced force and voltage. - The design and application of three phase AC synchronous generators, induction machines and synchronous motors. - The design and application of DC generators and motors. - The design and application of single-phase AC machines. - Fundamental knowledge of power converters and the application of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in power systems
Grading
Final grade will be determined as follows:
- Homework: 27% (9 assignments in total)
- In-Qlass Quiz: 8% (8 quizzes in total)
- Mid-term exam: 30%
- Final exam: 30%
- Class Participation: 5%
Homework
Homework assignments are posted every Thursday and are typically due by midnight the following Thursday.
Quiz
The weekly quiz will cover material discussed during the previous session and will be held every Tuesday.
Exams
The midterm exam covers Lectures 1–5, and the final exam covers Lectures 6–10. Each exam will include two types of questions: short-answer questions focusing on fundamental concepts discussed in the lectures, and computational problems adapted from the homework.
Course Schedule
The schedule of lectures, quizzes, and homework (HW) is as follows and is subject to change.
Week 1
(Aug. 25/27) | Lecture 1: Overview of electromechanical energy converter fundamentals
- Rotational motion, power, magnetic fields and circuits
- Induced force and voltage
- Linear DC machine
- Real, reactive, and apparent power flow in AC circuits
- Faraday’s Law | | HW1 |
Week 2
(Sep. 1/3) | Lecture 2: Transformers
- Ideal transformers
- Equivalent circuit
- Efficiency and voltage regulation
- Three-phase transformers | Q1 | HW2 |
Week 3
(Sep. 8/10) | Lecture 3: Fundamentals of AC machines
- Rotating loop in magnetic field
- Induced voltage in AC machines
- Induced torque
- Machine power flow and losses | Q2 | HW3 |
Week 4
(Sep. 15/17) | Lecture 4: Synchronous generators
- Construction
- Relationship between rotor mechanical speed and electrical frequency
- Internal generator voltage and equivalent circuit
- Phasor diagram representation
- Power, torque, operation, and ratings | Q3 | HW4 |
Week 5
(Sep. 22/24) | Lecture 5: Synchronous motors
- Rotating magnetic field
- Equivalent circuit
- Steady-state operation
- Starting issues
- Phasor diagrams and ratings | Q4 | HW5 |
Week 6
(Sep. 29/Oct. 1) | Review session for midterm exam | | |
Week 7
(Oct. 6) | Midterm exam
Covering Lectures 1-5. | | |
Week 8–9
(Oct. 15/20/22) | Lecture 6: Induction machines
- Review of midterm exam
- Construction, slip, and frequency
- Equivalent circuit and torque
- Torque-speed characteristics
- Induction motor design and starting challenges
- Speed control, induction generators, and ratings |
HW6 | | Week 10
(Oct. 27/29) | Lecture 7: DC machinery fundamentals
- Rotating coil between magnetic poles
- Commutation
- Induced voltage and torque
- Machine construction
- Power flow and losses | Q5 | HW7 |
Week 11
(Nov. 3/5) | Lectures 8/9: DC motors and generators
- Equivalent circuits for separately excited, shunt, permanent magnet, series, and compound machines
- Starting circuits
- Machine efficiency | | HW8 |
Week 12
(Nov. 10/12) | Lecture 10: Single-phase motors
- Universal motor
- Single-phase induction motor
- Starting challenges
- Equivalent circuits | Q6 | HW9 |
Week 13
(Nov. 17/19) | Seminar 1: Inverter-based resources (IBRs)
- IBR modeling
- Maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
- Grid connection
- Primary control, secondary control, and distributed control | Q7 | |
Week 14
(Nov. 24) | Seminar 2: AI/ML in energy conversion and energy systems | Q8 | | | Week 14
(Nov. 26) | Thanksgiving Break (no classes in session) | | | | Week 15
(Dec. 1/3) | Review session for final exam | | | | TBD | Final exam
Covering Lectures 6-10. | | |
Student Accessibility Support Center Statement
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