Doctoral student in grid forming windfarms under large grid disturbance

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering

The electricity grid is increasingly exposed to large disturbances as renewable penetration grows and power electronic converters become dominant. Wind farms, especially those based on grid-forming technology, are expected to play a key role in stabilising the future system. However, their behaviour under severe transients is not yet fully understood. In this doctoral project we will investigate how grid-forming wind turbine generators and battery energy storage systems interact with traditional grid-following units when the grid experiences large disturbances. A particular focus will be on characterising large-signal dynamics and analysing the transient stability of wind farms, taking into account the physical limitations of both wind turbine generators and energy storage systems. The aim is to develop robust control methods that enable reliable synchronisation and ensure that grid-forming wind farms can withstand and stabilise the system during challenging events. The expected outcome is a set of reduced-order models and design-oriented analysis tools that provide new insight into the stability of grid-forming wind farms, along with control strategies that strengthen their disturbance-handling capability. The work will be carried out with in a MSCA-DN doctoral training network with research stays at DNV in the Netherlands, Aalborg University in Denmark, and Imperial College London in the UK.

Supervision: Prof. Hans-Peter Nee, Prof. Xiongfei Wang, Assistant Prof. Ilka Jahn

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.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• In addition to the starting basic salary mentioned in above link, all positions within Marie Curie contains a mobility allowance and possible family allowance. For more info  Basic salary and supplementary allowances are specified pre tax.
• 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.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden

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

Due to the special requirements in MSCA Doctoral Networks as stipulated by EU, you must not have resided or carried out main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

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

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 and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

Previous knowledge and experience with power electronics and control is highly desirable.

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

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. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

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

Contact information for doctoral section.

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

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.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here