PhD student - Design and Control of Integrated Microgrids

Information about the project
The local distribution grids have been facing not only technical, but also economic and regulatory challenges, because of the increased integration of renewable generation and electrification of vehicles. The traditional solutions to the grid expansion, e.g. to build an additional power line, are utility-centered solutions, i.e. the distribution grid operators (DSOs) are the only party being involved to tackle grid issues. This has to be changed!

The DSOs have to engage grid users together with technology providers in order to develop innovative solutions, which should not only tackle one problem, but to overcome several problems in a cost-efficient way. This overall project aims to develop a holistic solution to optimally control cross-sectoral energy flow between different energy carries and demands within the electricity, transport and heat sector, assisted by developing an innovative multiport converter with innovative energy storage solutions by a multidisciplinary team.

The main goals of this PhD project include:
1. To evaluate different alternatives and identify the best option to interconnect multiple microgrids provided a given business application.
2. To analyze the overall performance of an integrated microgrids through a multiport converter
3. To verify the interconnected microgrids operation through a multiport converter in the laboratory and demonstrate it in the field

The project is a PhD project with supervision from the Dvision of Electric Power Engineering and ABB in Sweden. The project has cooperation with academic partners from DTG-University of Padova in Italy and RISE in Sweden, and industrial partners including Azelio, Vattenfall, Akademiska Hus, and TTA Trama Tecoambiental S.L. in Spain.

Information about the division
The Division of Electric Power Engineering is conducting research in the area of power system, power electronics and electric machines. Our goals are to enhance the knowledge base regarding electrical systems for renewables, vehicles, buildings and industrial applications. We are contineoulsy facing a change in the position of the research front within these areas

The division has a long research and specializes in the field of application of power electronics in power systems and in renewable generation. This project expands our ongoing research activities by investigating interconnected microgrid and multiport converter solutions.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities as a PhD student are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, both in Swedish and in English. The position also involves you to take part in other departmental duties (mainly teaching) around 15 per cent of working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student for this position, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits within the field of electric power engineering. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, you are encouraged to learn it during your employment. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20190623 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, eg. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: February 29th, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor, Peiyuan Chen, Division of Electric Power Engineering,
peiyuan@chalmers.se
+46 31 772 1639

Professor, Massimo Bongiorno, Division of Electric Power Engineering
massimo.bongiorno@chalmers.se 
+46 31 772 1631

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***