KTH School of Electrical Engineering Scholarships PhD Studentships

The PhD Studentships School of Electrical Engineering conducts research and education at the highest level in World Electric Power Engineering, fusion and space plasma physics, telecommunications and networks, information and control system (NICs).

The PhD Studentships scientific and technical activities of the Department of Electric Power Systems cover development and application of methods of analysis, simulation and control of electric power systems and integrated. The research activities in this area are divided into three areas, namely the dynamics of power and control systems, power markets and production preparation, and preparation of the network grid.

Social class

Voltage Source Converter (VSC), which enables fast and independent of both the active and reactive power. In addition, in a VSC based multi-terminal direct current transmission systems (DCT-MT), operating the converter (should not the parallel connection of several DC connections lead to technical difficulties) as ideal current sources in the DC side, and change the direction of the DC-DC is converted by inversion. With these characteristics, it is believed that by using VSC-MT-DCTS based in a bulk power gives it an extraordinary threat to the operational flexibility and control over the bulk power transmission to improve the "large-scale integration of renewable energy sources in various places, and Expansion flexibility perspective.

From an economic, technical and research point of view, this project will mostly focus on the following questions and challenges:

With modern technology—for example Voltage Source Converters (VSC)—it is possible to build Multi-Terminal DC Transmission Systems (MT-DCTS), i.e., high voltage direct current systems that at several points connect to one or more discontinuous current systems. The PhD Studentships controllability of the new technology is believed to provide fantastic possibilities of enhancing the flexibility of the bulk power transmission system, which will improve the situation for efficient electricity trading, improve reliability, facilitate integration of large-scale renewable energy sources at different locations, and increase the possibilities for prospect expansion of the system.

This PhD Studentships project will study MT-DCTS both from a technical and from an economical point of view. The research will mostly focus on the following questions and challenges:

The topologies of MT-DCTS.
How should the hybrid AC-DC system be optimally operated concerning N-1 criterion (or other probabilistic methods,) congestion management, electrical losses and electricity markets?
Source of control strategies for converters to keep the DC power balance and to discharge the hybrid AC-DC system requirements. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using local and remote information, respectively, for these control strategies?
What is the impact of count fundamental frequency control signals in converters on the hybrid AC-DC system operation?
How can the fundamental frequency control between the asynchronous AC systems connected by MT-DCTS be coordinated?

Qualifications

Applicants should have a completed academic degree on master`s level in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a related field. Furthermore, excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. To address its different work, KTH aims to use a diversity of talent and thus welcomes applicants who will add to the variety of the University, especially as concerns its gender structure.

Employment

Form of employment: Time limited.
Start date: According to agreement.

The salary follows the directions provided by KTH. The position includes 20% departmental duties.

Application

Application deadline: May, 9th 2011
Employers reference number: E-2011-0193

The application shall include a CV, a brief statement on why the applicant wishes to pursue PhD studies, contact information to three references, the degree certificate, and authoritative transcripts of records.

The application should quote the reference number above and be sent by email to: 0193@ee.kth.se

in pdf plot (only), with all documents merged into one single pdf-file, and with the reference number in the subject field.

Or, if electronic submission is impossible, to:

KTH School of Electrical Engineering
Att: Katharine Hammar
Osquldas väg 10
SE – 100 44 Stockholm
Sweden

Contact

Mehrdad Ghandhari, Docent
Phone: +46 8 790 7758,
mehrdad@kth.se