PhD student position at Tel Aviv University joint with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) in modeling, stability analysis and control of electric power grids comprising grid forming inverters (EU-Horizon project ModConFlex)

Tel Aviv University, Israel

Updated: 3 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 15 Mar 2024

5 Feb 2024
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 Mar 2024 - 20:00 (Europe/Brussels)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

42
Offer Starting Date

1 May 2024
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 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) “KIT” and the School of Electrical Engineering at Tel Aviv University (Israel) “TAU”. The student will be jointly supervised by Prof. Giovanni De Carne (in KIT) and Prof. George Weiss (in TAU). 

https://www.itep.kit.edu/rtset/english/index.php

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

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 engineering

Research Field
Mathematics » Applied mathematics

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for 3 years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. Both TAU and KIT foster and encourage the spirit of research, innovation and entrepreneurship among its students, researchers and alumni.

The student will be based approximately 50% of the time in KIT, Germany and 50% of the time in TAU, Israel. 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.

No teaching is required, but the student may take teaching assignments if he/she wants.

Employment conditions:

  • The position is funded for 36 months, a possibility exists to extend the assignment
  • The successful candidate will receive a 3 year financial package (in accordance with the European Commission rules), consisting of:
    • At TAU:
      • Monthly living allowance (net) of €2,700
      • Monthly mobility allowance of €450
      • Monthly family allowance (where applicable)
    • At KIT: 
      • PhD student will be hired following the German public employees’ contract  TVL-E13 scheme.

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: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (Israel) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. For international European interest organisations or international organisations, recruited researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date at the same appointing


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. Giovanni De Carne,  [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
Haim Levanon street

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

School of Electrical Engineering, Haim Levanon s
Postal Code

6997801
E-Mail

[email protected]
Phone

+972548313787

STATUS: EXPIRED

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