Power System Analysis and Design is a cornerstone textbook for electrical engineering students and professionals working in power systems. Widely adopted in universities and referenced by practicing engineers, this book is known for blending theory with real-world application in a clear, structured way. It tackles one of the biggest challenges in electrical engineering: understanding how complex power systems are analyzed, designed, and operated safely and efficiently.
Whether you’re preparing for exams, working on power grid projects, or refreshing your fundamentals, this book offers a dependable roadmap. In this review, you’ll find a concise overview of the book, its strengths, limitations, and why it remains a must-read—plus where to buy it online.
Table of Contents
About the Book
Power System Analysis and Design falls under the electrical engineering / power engineering genre and focuses on the planning, modeling, and analysis of modern electric power systems.
The book covers essential topics such as power flow analysis, fault analysis, stability, and system protection. What sets it apart is its design-oriented approach, connecting mathematical models with practical engineering decisions.
Who is it for?
- Undergraduate and postgraduate electrical engineering students
- Power system design engineers
- Professionals preparing for GATE, FE, PE, or similar exams
- Academics and trainers in power engineering
Most editions are structured with clear learning objectives, worked examples, diagrams, and end-of-chapter problems, making it ideal as both a textbook and reference guide.
About the Author
The book is authored by J. Duncan Glover, Mulukutla S. Sarma, and Thomas Overbye—all highly respected figures in the field of power engineering.
- J. Duncan Glover and Mulukutla S. Sarma are known for their academic contributions and teaching excellence.
- Thomas Overbye is widely recognized for his work on power system visualization and analysis tools, including industry-grade software used by utilities.
Their combined academic and industry experience gives the book strong credibility and ensures that concepts are not just theoretical but aligned with real-world power systems.
You can explore reader opinions and editions on Goodreads for additional perspectives.
Summary / Key Takeaways
Here are the core takeaways from Power System Analysis and Design:
- Explains power system components—generators, transformers, transmission lines, and loads—in a unified framework
- Provides a step-by-step approach to power flow (load flow) analysis
- Covers fault analysis and system protection using practical calculation methods
- Introduces stability analysis, including transient and steady-state stability
- Bridges the gap between analysis and design decisions in real power networks
The content is technical but structured to gradually build understanding without overwhelming the reader.
What Readers Liked
Readers and students consistently highlight several strengths of this book:
- Clear explanations of complex mathematical concepts
- Excellent balance between theory and practical design considerations
- Numerous worked examples that mirror real engineering problems
- Logical chapter flow, making it suitable for semester-long courses
- Strong focus on industry-relevant power system practices
Many readers also appreciate how the book prepares them for both academic exams and professional work.
What Could Be Better
No technical textbook is perfect, and some readers mention a few minor drawbacks:
- The math-heavy sections may feel challenging for beginners without strong fundamentals
- Limited coverage of renewable integration and smart grids in older editions
- Some examples assume prior exposure to power systems concepts
That said, these limitations are common in classic textbooks and don’t significantly reduce the book’s value.
Why You Should Read It
If you’re serious about understanding how power systems actually work, this book is hard to beat. Unlike overly simplified guides, it treats readers as engineers-in-training and equips them with tools they’ll use in real projects.
You should read this book if you want to:
- Build strong fundamentals in power system analysis
- Understand the reasoning behind design choices
- Prepare for competitive engineering exams
- Transition from theory to industry-level problem solving
Buy This Book
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