PhD scholarship in integrated multi-carrier energy systems: On the uncertainty propagation and systemic risk analysis

If you would like to contribute to the green energy transition, while looking for the best possible foundation for a PhD, it is right here in front of you. We offer a fully funded 3-year PhD position at DTU Wind and Energy Systems, where you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of renewable energy research.

We at DTU Wind and Energy Systems offer a vibrant, welcoming, and diverse environment with an international atmosphere, encouraging creativity, empathy, team working, superb academic collaborations, and outstanding links to the front-running Danish energy sector.

You will join Energy Markets and Analytics (EMA) Section of Division for Power and Energy Systems. The EMA Section has a strong multi-disciplinary research focus on energy markets, optimization, game theory, and machine learning. We are currently 13 members in the EMA Section (https://lnkd.in/dNBFxrc ) from 10 nationalities, valuing gender diversity, and with diverse scientific backgrounds, including electrical engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, data science, applied math, etc. Many former EMA members are currently very successful scientists either in academia or in industry.

This PhD scholarship has been granted by DTU to promote our ongoing collaborations with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands. You will have a unique chance to have external stay(s) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of TU/e for at least 6 months, ideally 9-12 months in total during your PhD.

Motivation, tasks, and qualifications
Motivation: The energy sector is undergoing a major transformation to accommodate unprecedented amounts of renewable energy production. These weather‐dependent energy sources (e.g., wind and solar) introduce significant volatility and uncertainty in power systems. In the meantime, due to the tighter interdependencies between energy systems, such as power, district heating, natural gas, and hydrogen, this uncertainty is expected to propagate from the power system to other interconnected energy systems, creating a risk for systemic instability, and, under worst case scenarios, leading to partial or total energy system failures. This risk, if not carefully modelled and then mitigated, will compromise the benefits coming from the integration of various energy systems and limit the penetration of renewable energy sources in the power system.

Tasks: We will study the systemic resiliency of interconnected multi-carrier energy networks, by developing a range of mathematical models of uncertainty propagation, and to develop strategies to control them relying on the state‐of‐the‐art applied probability, operations research, and energy system modelling. We envision the following three tasks:

Qualifications: A good candidate will have a solid background in most of the following points: 

• Knowledge of power systems and ideally other energy systems
• Knowledge of convex optimization, stochastic programming, and machine learning techniques
• Knowledge of programming tools such as Python or Julia
• Excellent use of the English language
• Ability to present results in technical reports, and prepare scientific papers for publication in international conferences and journals

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati (DTU), Associate Professor Jalal Kazempour (DTU), and Professor Bert Zwart (TU/e).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The PhD project should start in 2023. The exact start-date is according to a mutual agreement, taking into account your availability and preference. This position is a full-time position. The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati ([email protected] ) and Associate Professor Jalal Kazempour ([email protected] ).

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems Department at https://wind.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 December 2022 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems  is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.