PhD student position at Tel Aviv University joint with Christian Albrecht University Kiel (Gemany) in modeling, stability analysis and control of electric power grids comprising grid forming inverters (EU-Horizon project ModConFlex)

Tel Aviv University, Israel

Updated: 12 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 15 Jun 2023

8 May 2023
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Tel Aviv University
Department

School of Electrical Engineering
Research Field

Engineering » Electrical engineering
Engineering » Control engineering
Mathematics » Applied mathematics
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country

Israel
Application Deadline

15 Jun 2023 - 23:00 (Europe/Brussels)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

42
Offer Starting Date

1 Jul 2023
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101073558
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

Yes

Offer Description

This PhD studentship is jointly offered by the School of Electrical Engineering at Tel Aviv University (Israel) “TAU” and the the Chair of Power Electronics at the Christian Albrecht University Kiel (Germany) “CAU”. The student will be jointly supervised by Prof. George Weiss (in Tel Aviv) and by Prof. Dr.-Ing.  Marco Liserre (in Kiel).

The PhD student/researcher will be a member of ModConFlex, a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral-Training-Network (HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2021) programme. The network brings together 17 academic and industrial partners across Europe with the goal of developing novel approaches to the modelling and control of flexible structures. This programme will create ground-breaking mathematical tools for data-driven modelling and control of complex processes, which will be efficient in practice and have rigorous theoretical foundations. It is envisioned that the programme will combine ideas from a broad range of disciplines, including machine learning, control theory, differential equations, port-Hamiltonian systems theory, modeling of power systems, digital signal processors for control, randomized algorithms.

ModConFlex is a sequel to a successful earlier network called ConFlex (which is now finished). Details about ConFlex can be found at   https://www.conflex.org/about/  . The participating institutions and academics are to a large extent the same. ModConFlex is also strongly related to the ongoing DTN network WinGrid, for details click here: https://www.wingrid.org/ .

Scope of work: In the context of the global effort to reduce CO2 -emissions and to move towards a more sustainable energy market, the production and distribution of electric energy is rapidly changing. We focus on the research of the electric grid of the future, in particular power converters and storage stations that will play a much larger role, and the control algorithm needed for a stable operation of the overall system. The PhD student will contribute to the following fields of interest (the topics may evolve during the project):

  • Development and improvement of modern control algorithms for grid forming inverters that can provide inertia, frequency droop and other grid supporting mechanisms. These control algorithms are to be developed and evaluated in simulations (Simulink or Typhoon) and to be implemented on different power converters (Regular 2- and 3-level inverters as well as Modular Multilevel Converters).
  • Stability analysis of the entire grid (multi-machine stability). Using simulations and simplified models (for example the Network Reduced Power Systems model), and linearized models, conditions for the stability of the electric grid are to be derived.
  • Investigation of the stability of an individual machine/converter during abnormal conditions (frequency dips, voltage dips, short circuits) or unfavourable conditions (low SCR ratio). Algorithms are to be enhanced to improve robustness during such events and for grid code compliance.
  • Development of control methods of Modular Multilevel Converters and Static synchronous compensator including grid support features such as inertia and damping. Implementation of such algorithms on low-voltage prototypes in the laboratory and enhancement of the prototypes to be able to accommodate these algorithms. The devices are to be tested using grid simulators and in islanded grids.

Requirements
Research Field
Engineering » Electrical engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Engineering » Control engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Mathematics » Applied mathematics
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The following skills & qualifications are not all necessary, but highly welcomed:

  • Very good academic English, written and spoken.
  • Advanced knowledge in control theory.
  • Knowledge in the design of electronic circuits. Prior experience with software such as Altium, Eagle, KiCad etc are a plus.
  • Knowledge in the operation and control of switched power converters of any kind.
  • Programming skills (VeriLog, C++, Matlab, Simulink).
  • Experience with real time/hardware in the loop systems (Opal RT, Typhoon, dSpace).

Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Research Field
Engineering » Electrical engineeringEngineering » Control engineeringMathematics » Applied mathematics
Years of Research Experience
1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits

Benefits

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for 3 years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. TAU fosters and encourages the spirit of research, innovation and entrepreneurship among its students, researchers and alumni as TAU is a Reuters “Top 100 Innovation University”. 

Employment conditions:

  • Enrolment in a PhD program @Tel Aviv University, School of Electrical Engineering
  • Secondment with project partners within the European Training Network
  • An excellent working atmosphere within an international team of researchers
  • For the first 18 months, the student will be mainly based at Tel Aviv University, Israel (TAU), and for the following 18 months the student will be mainly based at Christian Albrecht University Kiel, Germany
  • The student will also visit other nodes of the ModConFlex network and take part in annual network meetings, with the travel expenses (for this purpose) covered by the program
  • The position is funded for 36 months, a possibility exists to extend the assignment at TAU
  • The successful candidate will receive a 3 year financial package (in accordance with the European Commission rules), consisting of:
  • Monthly living allowance (net) of €2,700
  • Monthly mobility allowance of €450
  • Monthly family allowance (where applicable)
    • Tuition fees will be covered by the grant (not the student)
    • The PhD degree will be awarded by TAU and the student will need to return to TAU for this purpose.

    Eligibility criteria

    Eligible researchers: The researcher may be of any nationality. Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

    Mobility rule: The researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting host institution (Israel and Germanyfor more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.


    Selection process

    Application procedure:  Send your CV (pdf format), list of grades, certificates, list of 3 referees and motivation letter to:

    Prof. George Weiss  [email protected] ,

    Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marco Liserre [email protected]

    Dr.-Ing. Marius Langwasser [email protected]

    Brighitte Shalom  [email protected]


    Work Location(s)
    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    Tel Aviv University
    Country
    Israel
    City
    Tel Aviv
    Postal Code
    6997801
    Street
    School of Electrical Engineering, Haim Levanon s

    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    Christian Albrecht University Kiel
    Country
    Germany
    State/Province
    Schleswig-Holstein
    City
    Kiel
    Postal Code
    24118
    Street
    Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4
    Geofield


    Where to apply
    E-mail

    [email protected]

    Contact
    State/Province

    Israel
    City

    Tel Aviv
    Website

    https://en-engineering.tau.ac.il/School-of-Electrical-Engineering/main
    Street

    P.O. Box 39040
    Postal Code

    6997801
    E-Mail

    [email protected]
    Phone

    +972548313787

    STATUS: EXPIRED

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