Research Fellow in Digital Twin of LV Grids for V2X Integration

Opportunity:

Salford Business School boasts a vibrant international community. We are pioneers in redefining education and its role in shaping the future and world around us. Industry collaborations, knowledge transfer partnerships, research partnerships, international exchanges, student opportunities, outreach activities - these are just some of the ways we connect and work together. We have recently launched our Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) which is a catalyst for collaboration between academia, policymakers and industry, helping empower businesses to overcome new and existing challenges facing them in today’s dynamic business landscape. 

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our research team in studying grid-edge flexibility in low-voltage (LV) electricity networks. The successful candidate will develop a digital twin of LV distribution grids to analyse the impact of local flexibility on grid operation. This role involves advanced modelling and simulation using Python and OpenDSS, with a focus on assessing the contribution of distributed energy resources to grid flexibility.

The role:

To design, develop, and implement innovative modeling and simulation frameworks for studying local flexibility in low-voltage (LV) electricity grids. The focus will be on analyzing the impact of distributed energy resources (DERs), bidirectional EVs, and other demand-side flexibility solutions on grid operation. The strategic roles of emerging actors, such as charge point operators (CPOs) and e-mobility service providers (EMSPs), acting as intermediaries between distribution system operators (DSOs) and end users, must be thoroughly examined and integrated into flexibility assessments. Developed models will be tested using digital twins and validated with real-world data from pilot sites in the UK and EU.

The post-holder will work with and report to the Project Lead and will be required to develop, lead, and deliver research projects, build partnerships, and represent the team in technical discussions and project meetings, ensuring effective collaboration and knowledge exchange. The post-holder will be expected to undertake advanced simulation and data-driven analysis to evaluate the role of grid-edge flexibility in LV network operation.

• To provide support to the Project Lead to deliver the DriVe2X Project.
• To manage research projects and contribute to projects delivered by others in the team as required.
• To manage and undertake data collection and analysis activities as required.
• To develop, build and nurture partnerships with a range of stakeholders. 
• To work across disciplines in the development and delivery of projects with internal, external, domestic and international partners.
• To present the findings and to publish research findings in high-quality academic and non-academic outputs 
• Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time by the Project Lead. 

We hope you will bring:

• Academic concepts and applications of the microeconomic theory (market structures, competition, strategic interactions, bidding, consumer cooperative and noncooperative behaviour, game theory) plus proficiency in programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB)
• Strong knowledge of sustainable cities and local energy communities, V2G and flexibility markets, policy and market issues relating to local energy communities in the EU and the UK, charging codes and standards for EVs and distributed energy systems
• Experience of undertaking high quality research in an academic environment
• Experience of working with the public and/or private sector
• Project management skills and capability and willingness to undertake administrative tasks.

Job Description

Advert information