PhD in Voltage control interactions in active distribution networks - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

To address climate and security challenges, new technology is being deployed changing the power system’s dynamics and leading more often to unpredictable system behavior. To support local distribution system voltage control and help in the voltage control of the overlying transmission system, distribution-hosted inverter-based generation is being used more often. Its introduction however can lead to adverse voltage controllers’ interactions that may jeopardize system security. ADVOLCANO (Adverse Voltage Controllers’ Interactions in Active Distribution Networks) project, within which this PhD position will be carried out, has a purpose to analyze these interactions. The focus of the project is on modelling and characterization of the interactions, as well as development of methods for their analysis. Based on these, the project should find solutions on how to deploy new voltage control strategies in active distribution systems while avoiding risks of these interactions happening and consequently improving the system resiliency.

The PhD student will within ADVOLCANO project have the opportunity to work in close collaboration between KTH Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems division (one PhD position), KTH Division of Decision and Control Systems, Uppsala University, Division of Systems and Control (one PhD student) and Electric Power System unit from RISE Research Institutes of Sweden with reference group consisting of experts from Swedish electric power industry: Svenska Kraftnät (Swedish TSO), Ellevio (DSO), Vattenfall (DSO), Hitachi Energy Sweden and DLaboratory Sweden.

The PhD student will work on identifying the causes of adverse voltage-control interactions among inverter-based resources, synchronous machines, and other power system components. Models of power system components that can adequately characterize the multiple-timescale and nonlinear dynamics of their voltage controllers will be developed. The models should be able to shed physical insights and contribute fundamental knowledge to the voltage control interactions between different power system components in active distribution and sub-transmission networks.

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering

Supervision: Prof Xiongfei Wang KTH and co-supervision from Stefan Stanković from RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. 

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach, 
• analyse and work with complex issues, 
• present good Knowledge in Power System analysis and Power System Control and Stability
• show experience and knowledge in system theory and control engineering
• present excellent proficient in English speaking and writing since its needed in the every day work. 
• show experience with stability and control of grid-connected power electronics systems

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. 

Union representatives

KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

section's website.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a security check.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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

We firmly decline all contact with staffing, 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.