PhD position Optimal Operational resiliency of Large-size Multi-energy systems

Detailed generic stability model and effective scalable optimization for resilient and multi-objective operation and control new concepts for large-size multi-energy systems.

The project Optimal, secure, and modular development of multi-energy networks (MADURO) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop new concepts for dynamic stability modelling, adaptive control, and optimization under uncertainty for the multi-objective development of large-size (e.g. several gigwatts) of multi-energy systems. The research will lead to computationally efficient and scalable stability simulation and optimization tools to maximize the operational resiliency and techno-economic flexibility of inegrated multi-energy systems. The research activities will be based on off-line digital steady-sate and dynamic simulations, and real-time digital simulation for laboratory scale experiments (e.g. control-in-the-loop testing), data analytics, multi-variable non-linear control, and advanced optimization methods.

This PhD position, starting from April 2024, offers a great opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team and with industrial partners. You will translate your research into new system design principles and techno-economic specificaions. In addition, you will be organising cocreation workshops and meetings and will report your progress and findings to the stakeholders. You will, of course, publish papers and disseminate your findings and knowledge in relevant communities.

Your research is part of a multi-disciplinary drive towards stable, reliable sustainable energy systems. Which is why you’ll work closely with your colleagues in the Dynamic Stability of Sustainable Electrical Power Systems research group. The group belongs to the Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) Section of the Electrical Sustainable Energy (ESE) Department, which is part of the Electrical Engineering, Mathematics,and Computer Science (EEMCS) Faculty. We are an innovation-driven, multidisciplinary team of early-stage and senior professors, postdocs, PhDs, and MSc researchers with different cultural backgrounds. You will be coaching and mentoring master students. Fostering a synergetic, open-minded, and win-together culture, we regularly interact and share views, unlocking opportunities, forms of incubation, and deployment of knowledge and ground-breaking developments. We also stimulate a healthy and inclusive work environment in which you can bring out the best in yourself. And we value autonomy, professionalism, and a balanced work-life approach.

About the department

The research in ESE Department is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

ESE Department owns the ESP laboratory and a large RTDS cluster that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring, protection and control.

The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide-area monitoring and protection.

IEPG group, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system. The goal is to generate, transmit and use electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way.

You thrive on conducting independent research, while being part of a team working together on stable energy systems meeting the demands of an accelerated energy transition. To help achieve our goals, you have the flexibility to align your research and are able to collaborate to work towards solutions. You harness your communication and organisation skills, convincing and motivating your partners and your team to achieve tangible results. You also enjoy interacting with and coaching master students.

You also have::

• MSc degree in Electrical Power Systems or Power Electronics.
• Background in power system stability and control.
• Background in modelling and control of power electronic interfaced devices.
• Advanced user skills in modelling and simulation for stability study of power electronic dominated systems (e.g. by using examples tools lik Digsilent Power Factory, RTDS). Besides, skills in adavnced scripting (e.g. by using Python) for automated parametrization of models and simulations, as well as for performinf optimization, and data analytics.
• An affinity with teaching and guiding students.
• Ability to work in a team, take initiative, good time management, open to feedback and eager to continously improve, be results oriented and systematic.
• A good command of English, because you will be working in an international environment. A command of Dutch would help you communicate with industrial partners and students. 

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

You will benefit from extensive training in technical and transferrable skills. You will be expected to assist in teaching activities (student supervision, labs) related to your subject area.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Jose Rueda Torres, email: [email protected], tel: +31(0)15-27 86239.

For information about the selection procedure, please contact Brenda Reyes Munoz, Management Assistant, ESE, email: [email protected]    

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before April 22, 2024, via the application button and upload:

1. Research statement in maximum one (A4 format) page. Please explain clearly:

• Your key skills which will help you successfully generate and steer high-quality scientific research within the scope of this postdoc position.
• The top-two of your latest innovative solutions and their deployment and impact.
• The top-two of your latest published works in highly ranked scientific journals.

2. Detailed CV.

3. Copy of your MSc degree and transcript.

4. Names and contact information of at least three relevant references, one or two of whom were not involved in your MSc research. We will not contact references without your consent.  

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.