PhD Studentship - Power system stability with renewable energy and grid-forming resources (1339221FP)

Supervisory Team:    Dr Efstratios Batzelis

Project description

Post summary

Applications are invited for one PhD studentship to be undertaken at the University of Southampton, School of Electronics and Computer Science.  You will be based in the Electrical Power Engineering research group supervised by Dr Efstratios Batzelis

Project summary

The recent commitments by the UK government and worldwide for rapid decarbonization of the energy sector have incentivised massive deployment of renewable energy resources (RESs) (e.g. solar PV systems, wind farms) and other inverter-based resources (IBRs) (e.g. electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems) into the power system. However, the inherent variable nature of RE generation and the operating principles of IBRs introduce limitations on their integration levels in the electrical network. The scientific community is actively looking how we can have more RESs and IBRs in an economic and stability-guaranteed way. A new promising idea is to programme and control the IBRs at grid-forming mode, i.e. acting as voltage sources in the network, which allows them to assist the grid more effectively during disturbances in contrast to the conventional grid-following mode. 

This PhD project will focus on the stability challenges arisen in the power system with massive amounts of variable RES and other IBRs. Special focus will be given in the new grid-forming technology and how it interacts with conventional generation at the power system level. This PhD project will be within the framework of a Royal Academy of Engineering research fellowship on solar integration in developing countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities include defining the research questions and plan, reviewing literature and conducting independent research, reporting progress and disseminating results in high-impact journals, conferences and other gatherings. You will be based at Highfield campus, but you may also travel occasionally to research partners for short-term visits.

Essential Requirements

You should have a good first degree (usually first-class) and/or a master’s degree (or other equivalent experience) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering. You need to have excellent understanding in

Power system stability

and good understanding in

Power electronic converters

Control systems

Experience in relevant simulation tools and computational platforms, such as MATLAB/Simulink, will be a plus.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Efstratios Batzelis, Electrical Power Engineering Research Group, Email: e.batzelis@soton.ac.uk.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). A Master’s degree in electrical power engineering will be a plus. You should be a Home student (UK national or EU settled status or EU pre-settled status or indefinite leave to remain; have been living in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland the past 3 years).

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 30 April 2021.

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £15,609 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. 

How To Apply

Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2021/22, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD  Elect & Elect Eng (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr Efstratios Batzelis 

Applications should include: 

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts to date

Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 30 Apr 2021
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)