Back to search results

PhD Studentship in Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Enabling Net Zero Power Systems through Distributed System Service Provision

Newcastle University

Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Funding for: UK Students, EU Students, International Students
Funding amount: £17,668
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 19th December 2022
Closes: 10th February 2023
Reference: ENG101

Award Summary

100% of fees covered and a minimum tax free annual living allowance of £17,668 (2022-23 UKRI rate).

Overview

This PhD provides an exciting opportunity to explore new ways of addressing the challenges that grid operators around the world face as energy systems transition to zero carbon operation.

To reach Net Zero, power systems require new ways of maintaining stability and resilience as converter-interfaced energy sources (e.g., wind, solar) become the dominant source of energy globally. One largely untapped source for these services is distributed energy resources (e.g., electric vehicles, smart demands). It remains unresolved as to both the most appropriate control strategies and role these resources can have in providing these system services. There is, however, significant potential to reduce build-out of expensive, legacy equipment (e.g., synchronous condensers) that system operators currently favour.

In this ambitious PhD research project, you will explore and demonstrate ways that system services can be provided from distributed resources. Modern ‘grid-forming’ services will be considered, considering how demands can be co-ordinated and controlled to provide these services. Newcastle’s state-of-the-art Smart Grid Lab has facilities for a possible physical demonstration of these new strategies.

This PhD project is a part of the activities of a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship held by Dr Deakin. You will be a member of Newcastle’s vibrant power systems group, with access to academic and industrial collaborators through Newcastle’s Centre for Energy, Supergen Energy Networks hub, and the Global Power Systems Transformation (G-PST) consortium.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 18/09/2023

Award duration: 3.5 years

Sponsor

EPSRC – Engineering and physical sciences research council

Supervisors

Dr Matthew Deakin

Prof. Janusz Bialek

Eligibility Criteria

Required:

  • A very good first degree (2.1 or higher, or equivalent) in engineering, science or mathematics.
  • Experience programming in scientific languages (e.g., Python, Julia, Matlab).
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • International applicants may require ATAS (Academic Technology Approval System) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of grid-following and grid-forming power converter control.
  • Knowledge of power system dynamics, and/or digital signal processing techniques.
  • Hands-on experience in electrical or electronics labs.
  • Experience implementing embedded hardware and software for power electronics, power systems or electric drive applications. 

Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.  

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

  • search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8060F
  • Research Area: Electrical & Electronic Engineering

select 'PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering (full time) - Electrical & Electronic Engineering' as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section:

  • a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
  • the studentship code ENG101 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
  • when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

Contact Details

Matthew Deakin, matthew.deakin@newcastle.ac.uk

School of Engineering

We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

PhD tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
 
More PhDs from Newcastle University

Show all PhDs for this organisation …

More PhDs like this
Join in and follow us

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge