Postdoc in Power Electronics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

The research work will focus on stability challenges in power systems caused by a high penetration of renewable, non-synchronous generation (NSG), which are connected by power electronic converters. Then, based on credible solutions, a power system based on 100% NSG will be designed in a simulation software.

Nowadays, the share of NSGs is high in many power grids. The annual share is e.g. more than 30% in the Irish grid, and it is estimated that it may reach 100% of the load instantaneous penetration level by 2025. By increasing the penetration of NSG, such as wind power and photovoltaics in power systems, new stability, reliability, and protection challenges are introduced. From the stability point of view, increasing the penetration of NSGs above a certain percentage is not feasible neither in practice nor in simulations without modification of the power converters interfacing the renewable energy sources (RES). Yet, substituting the conventional energy sources by RES is desired, due to its environmental benefits.

So-called grid-forming control of power electronic converters has been proposed as a solution to enhance the stability of RES-based power systems. It has also been proposed by e.g. ENTSO-E and National Grid (the TSO in the UK) to become a future requirement for converter connected generation.

The aim is to assess the stability challenges of power grids with very high penetration of NSG and propose solutions on how to enable up to 100% NSG in a power grid. Different stability issues, such as voltage stability, frequency stability, and transient stability will be addressed. To do so, one critical step is to introduce grid forming properties of the power converters. This is primarily done by complementing the NSG by additional enhanced STATCOM units with a certain amount of energy storage. DigSILENT PowerFactory is used as the power grid simulation software for the RMS simulation study.

Tentative deliverables of the project include:

• A comprehensive simulation study of the frequency, transient, and small-signal stability of a generic transmission grid with a very high penetration of NSG, with the aim to propose control methods and to find suitable locations in the grid for the enhanced STATCOM units to enable operation of the grid at 100% NSG penetration.
• A simulation test system representing of a modern power system with no rotational part that introduces inertia. The proposed system should be able to tolerate specific disturbances in the system. In this way, the required amount of energy storage in the system can be determined. In addition, the requirements for the control of power converters and other relevant performance metrices will be studied and outlined.
• Potential IP and publication(s) in selected Conferences and Journals.

What we offer

• International workplace.
• A leading technical university that creates knowledge and expertise for a sustainable future.
• Here you get colleagues with high ambitions in an open, curious and dynamic environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competence and suitability.

Preferred qualifications

 We expect you to have deep working knowledge in at least one of the following fields: power electronic converters, power system analysis. Furthermore, we value documented teaching skills. Also, Swedish language skills are a merit since we carry out some teaching in Swedish. As a person we believe that you are able to work independently while efficiently drawing on the skills and capabilities of the group and the wider scientific community. Finally, we expect you to establish and maintain a contact network required to carry out the project. In particular, this concerns contact with the industrial partners of the project.

Trade union representatives

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage.

Application

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Temporary employment for up to two years, or by agreement.

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.