PhD studentship in electric power engineering – voltage stability

There is a large ongoing transformation of the power system as a result of the electrification of both the vehicle fleet and industry and the corresponding increase in generation. Within 15-20 years the consumption and production of electric energy is expected to be doubled which also requires an extensive development of the grid. The research group within electric power engineering at University West is active in the ongoing transition and in the work to maintain a robust and stable power system considering the challenges in the future grid. I addition to handling the challenges of varying power flow, an important factor is that the stability margins in the power system are strongly affected by the future changes. Previous blackouts have shown that knowledge about voltage stability is important to consider to operate the system within given stability margins at the same time as too large margins result in unnecessary constraints of the power flow. Voltage stability is strongly affected by the capability of producing and consuming reactive power in different components, the location of the components and the system load flow. All these factors will change drastically in the future power system. University West will perform this project as a part of the work of investigating the voltage stability in the future power system.

The scientific part of the project
The Ph. D. project focuses on studies of voltage stability, especially power systems with similarities with the Swedish power system. The work starts with knowledge building including a review of the present research status and existing strategies for operation of the power system with regard to the risk for voltage instability. Then, the impact of the voltage stability from new, often converter controlled, generation, load, STATCOM and HVDC is studied. Special focus is given to different strategies of controlling the active and reactive power from production, loads, STATCOM and HVDC and the resulting impact on the voltage stability in the system. The voltage stability in the system is studied for the present situation in the Swedish power system as well as for various future scenarios. The studies include how different components and control strategies can be used to improve the voltage stability and thereby enable a more efficient use of the power system.

Doctoral degree program: Electrical Engineering

Research center:
Doctoral students become members of the research group within electrical engineering. The group collaborates with industry such as producers and grid companies.

The doctoral student will be a part of the PhD-school at Chalmers university of Technology and will be examined at Chalmers.

Job description:
The research program includes, in addition to participation in third-cycle courses and other activities, the implementation of independent thesis work. Doctoral students shall primarily devote themselves to their own education. A doctoral student may, however, be engaged to a limited extent in education, research, and administration, mainly within electrical engineering. Such duties, before a doctorate has been conferred, may not occupy more than 20 percent of full-time working hours. (Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100) Chapter 5 section 2).

Qualification requirements:

To qualify for appointment as a PhD, two eligibility requirements must be met: 1) basic eligibility and 2) special eligibility.

The basic eligibility requirements for doctoral programs as set out in the Higher Education Ordinance are as follows: a degree at master’s level, completed courses totaling at least 240 university credits of which a minimum of 60 at master’s level
or, substantially equivalent knowledge gained in some other way whether in Sweden or abroad.

To fulfil the special eligibility requirements for a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, a student must hold a degree at master’s level in a subject relevant to the doctoral degree subject. This degree may be in Applied Physics, Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Physics, or equivalent, with a thesis project corresponding to at least half a year of study. The eligibility requirements may be fulfilled by studies in Sweden or abroad.

Additional Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• Ability to communicate orally and in written English

Other relevant but not mandatory qualifications:

• Experience in power system analysis
• Documented experience of research work and scientific writing (prior publications in the subject is regarded as a merit)
• Ability to communicate in Swedish is regarded as a merit

Selection:
The basic factor for selection among qualified applicants is the ability to profit from such a program. We believe that a successful applicant should have a genuine interest in the development of mathematical models of physics. It will also be essential to actively take part in the experimental verification of the developed software and algorithms (optimization schemes). For this reason, the ability to work well in a group with other employees and students is necessary. 

In in the study plan for Electrical Engineering (chalmers.se) there is more information about qualifications.

Duration and terms of employment:
Employment as a doctoral student shall be on an open-ended basis but not for longer than to a specific point in time and never for a period extending more than one year after receiving the doctoral degree. The initial appointment must not be for more than one year. The appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be employed as a research student for a total of not more than eight years. The total period of employment, however, may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study at the third level of higher education. (Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100) Chapter 5 section 7). If 20% of the working hours are dedicated to education and administration, this normally means an employment of 5 years.

Application
Applications are to be submitted electronically through the University West web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.

The application must include:

• CV/Personal qualifications
• Personal letter
  • containing Interest in the research topic.
  • previous experience regarding the proposed research topic and its research          methods and scientific theories.
  • motive to pursue doctoral studies
• Degree project of second level of higher education
• Degree certificate of first and second level of higher education in the original language and in translation
• Diploma Supplement in original language and in translation
• Course list/transcript of all semesters for bachelor's and master's degrees in original language and in translation
• Other documents which the applicant wishes to invoke

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier. If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

Approved written languages regarding papers, diplomas, grades and other relevant documents are the Scandinavian languages and English, or translations into those languages. Attach the original when submitting translated documents.

Documents that cannot be sent digitally, should be marked with ref.no R 2023/348 sent to:

University West
HR
461 86 Trollhättan
Sweden

The application should reach University West no later than 2024-01-23.

The Department of Engineering Sciences strives for equality and diversity in all professions. We welcome applicants with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. For us, it is natural with an inclusive working environment and that our employees can combine work with active parenthood.

Welcome with your application!

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