PhD scholarship in Modelling of Energy Storages and Turbomachinery for Liquid Air Energy Storage Systems

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has just started an exciting project in cooperation with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea, on a novel large-scale energy storage concept – liquid air energy storage. Currently, we have an opening for a PhD position at DTU Mechanical Engineering in the project. The research work includes numerical and experimental analysis of the whole liquid air energy storage system and its components. If you are establishing your career as scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, this is your chance. At DTU Mechanical Engineering you will get the chance break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible.

The increased use of fluctuating renewable energy sources worldwide, including primarily wind and solar energy, causes imbalance between supply and demand of energy. One of the more promising options to mitigate the variability of renewable energy sources is to use large-scale energy storage systems. The liquid air energy storage system is a novel technology with a high energy density that does not require large storage volumes. At present, the liquid air energy storage technology is at an industrial demonstration level, and further research is required to increase its round-trip efficiency, the ratio of the electricity generated during the discharging process to the electricity consumed during the charging process, making it economically attractive. In order to increase the round trip efficiency of the storage system, the design of efficient storages and turbomachinery is of crucial importance.

Responsibilities and qualifications
In the project we will address the design and optimization of the system, including hot and cold energy storages, increasing the system efficiency. Compressors and turbines for the charging and discharging processes will be designed and optimised. Moreover, we will develop dynamic models of the liquid air energy storage system that will enable us to develop optimal operational strategies allowing the liquid air energy storage system to respond quickly to the fluctuations in demand and supply of electricity. There will be fruitful synergies among this project and other on-going projects at DTU and KAIST addressing the liquid air energy storage technology and turbomachinery design.

If you have a passion for research and a mechanical engineering background with focus on thermal sciences, you may be the person we are looking for. You will become part of a leading international research team, and together with colleagues, you will get the opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research, ranging from detailed numerical analysis to experimental work. The results of your research will contribute to expand the use of renewable energy sources, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and mitigating climate change.

Examples of your responsibilities are the following:

• Develop expander and compressor designs using mean-line and 3-dimensional aerodynamic design approaches.
• Analyses hot and cold storages using multi-dimensional heat transfer analysis.
• Evaluate the effects of the turbomachinery and storage designs on the performance of the whole liquid air energy storage system.  
• Develop dynamic models and derive operational strategies of the liquid air energy storage system.
• Conduct experimental work on a small-scale liquid air energy storage test facility at KAIST.
• Validate your numerical models using results of the experimental work and data available in the open literature.
• Take part in the teaching activities at the department.

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 . 

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 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 Associate Professor Fredrik Haglind, tel.: +45 4525 4113.

You can read more about Department of Mechanical Engineering at www.mek.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 .  

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 27 February 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 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.

DTU Mechanical Engineering covers the fundamental engineering disciplines within Solid mechanics, Fluid mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering, Energy systems and energy conversion, Materials and Surface Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering design and Product development. The department has a scientific staff of about 135 persons, 100 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 80 persons.

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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 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.