The Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) at KU Leuven offers a PhD position on the role of control system implementation details in interactions between HVDC systems and AC transmission systems grid interaction studies.
Within the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (Electa) division and EnergyVille, the research team led by prof. Jef Beerten focuses on the combined modelling and control of power electronic converters and power systems, with a focus on HVDC systems.
The team is part of a larger group that conducts leading HVDC research at Electa. Our research projects contribute directly to the engineering of the future electricity grid in close collaboration with industry.
Within the team, we have a PhD position available on the topic of HVDC interaction studies and the role of control system implementation details in such studies.
The large-scale integration of renewable generation and associated transmission system development projects cause transmission system dynamics to be increasingly more influenced by the fast response of power electronic converters at HVDC stations and renewable generation units. To mitigate undesired stability issues and resonance incidents transmission system operators express deep interest in detailed time-domain simulation studies to assess converter interactions across the transmission system. As converter interactions occur over a wide frequency range, analysis at time-scale of electromagnetic transients (EMT) with a detailed representation of converter response is generally desired. Simulation studies at this level of detail prompt multiple challenges, around which this project will be positioned.
Candidates interested in a PhD on this topic should have a good understanding of modelling and control of power electronics converters. A strong interest and affinity in power system dynamics and simulations is essential. A keen interest or background in control systems and numerical simulation is crucial.
As the ideal candidate:
Your background and experiences match the following expectations or allows you to achieve them quickly:
We offer an exciting job as PhD researcher in one of the leading research institutes in the field. HVDC technology is receiving significant attention from both academia and industry. This project allows you to work in an inspiring environment within a team of enthusiastic colleagues on a highly timely research topic.
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