PhD researcher on enhanced system-level design and coordination of offshore wind and multi-terminal bipolar HVDC systems

KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research that dates back six centuries. The university’s basic research orientation has always been and will remain fundamental research. At the same time, the university remains vigilantly open to contemporary cultural, economic and industrial realities, as well as to the community’s needs and expectations. KU Leuven is currently by far the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure (EUR 455.1 million in 2015). KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking KU Leuven is ranked as the 12th European university, while in the Reuters Top 100 of the World’s most innovative institutions, KU Leuven is listed as the first European university. The ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven performs research on aspects of generation, transmission, distribution and rational use of electrical energy. Topics covered are smart grids, reliable power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources, HVDC and LVDC, energy markets, integration of renewable energy sources on transmission and distribution. Seven professors lead the group. They manage the research assisted by teams of senior researchers, post-doctoral researchers and about 50 PhD students. EnergyVille is an association of the Flemish research institutes KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille brings research, development, training and industrial innovation together under one name, in close cooperation with local, regional and international partners. EnergyVille strives to become one of the top five European institutes in innovative energy research. For that reason, the center was embedded in big national and international networks from the start.

Project

The PhD will be performed at one of the oldest and prestigious universities in Europe (KU Leuven) and the Energy Transmission Competence Hub (Etch) of EnergyVille. Work is performed in direct collaboration with Elia, the Belgian transmission system operator. Your research will look towards co-design between HVDC grid protection systems and offshore wind farms. The work is expected to build on state-of-the-art practices in HVDC protection system design, HVDC converter control strategies, and offshore wind control methods, and examine how future offshore system design and control can be better coordinated. You are expected to perform independent research guided and supported by our experienced colleagues and industrial partners, with some flexibility in the research topic. Extensive support in HVDC control and HVDC protection topics can be expected, allowing you to focus your research on novel aspects and contributions towards the topic area. You will look into topics such as:

Profile

The expected candidate profile requires:

• Background in power systems, power electronics, HVDC systems, …
• Available to work in person in Belgium - main work location Genk.
• Affinity to both fundamental and industrially focused research.
• Keen interest in solving key power system challenges of the energy transition.
• Willingness to contribute to a limited number of hours of teaching activities.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or similar, with excellent academic record (preferably EU master’s).
• Fluent in English (specific language requirements for enrolment as PhD student).

Desirable is:

• Fluent in Dutch.
• Knowledge and interest in offshore wind (topologies, control strategies,…), HVDC grid protection (systems, breakers, algorithms,…), and HVDC converters (converter fault ride through, converter control, converter protection,…).
• Interest and/or practical experience in real-time simulation (e.g. RTDS or OPAL-RT) and lab testing of control and protection systems.
• Experience in EMT simulation tools (e.g. PSCAD) for transient power system studies

Offer

• Fully funded PhD position based at KU Leuven/Etch with range of benefits (e.g. hospitalisation insurance,…)
• Opportunity for close collaboration with Belgian industry on industrially relevant topics
• Opportunity to work in state-of-the-art research laboratories in the domain of HVDC and take part in both fundamental and applied research
• The role should start as soon as possible, in 2024.

Electa
EnergyVille

Interested?

For more information please contact Mr. Geraint Chaffey, tel.: +32 16 37 36 81, mail: geraint.chaffey@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.