PhD student in planning and system integration of solar power

Published: 2022-09-26

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

The Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering consists of three divisions: Quality Science, Industrial Engineering and Management and Civil Engineering and Built Environment. The department has approximately 100 employees and has its research and education both at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland. This position will be located at the division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment in Uppsala. For more information, see the web page of the department.

The Division of Civil Engineering and Built Environment conducts research and education in the field of construction engineering and other civil engineering subjects with a focus on energy in buildings and the built environment. At the division we study, among other things, the potential for solar energy in the built environment. The expansion of both rooftop and ground-mounted solar power is a complex issue that concerns integration in buildings and landscapes, connection to electricity networks, the variability of the solar resource over time and space and how it can be utilized in the built environment.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Duties
To achieve the goal of 100% renewable electricity production in Sweden by 2040, an extensive expansion of renewable electricity production is required in the coming decades. Solar power will likely be a significant part of this, judging by recent developments in the form of large-scale solar parks. Integrating large amounts of solar power into the energy system requires optimization of how the variable power is utilized, as well as planning of where and how to locate and size solar parks.

In this project, which is part of the national competence center SOLVE , you will work with developing mathematical, statistical and machine learning methods to optimize the use of solar power in combination with, e.g., battery storage, charging of electric vehicles, heat pump systems and ancillary services to the electricity grid. In addition to this, you will develop and apply methods for optimal location and sizing of solar parks, given boundary conditions such as alternative land use and the hosting capacity of the electricity distribution network. The project includes case studies of solar utilization planning together with a number of Swedish municipalities and distribution system operators that are partners in SOLVE.

The main task for a doctoral student is the doctoral education, which includes both participation in research projects and postgraduate courses. The tasks may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, however limited to a maximum of 20% of the working hours.

Requirements
We are looking for candidates with a Master of Science degree in energy systems, sociotechnical systems engineering, engineering physics or another area relevant to the position, in combination with a strong background in mathematics and computer simulation. You should have a good ability to work in teams as well as an ability to work independently. We require good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional qualifications
Experience of geographic information systems (GIS) is meriting.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines .

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Joakim Munkhammar, [email protected], 018-471 3115.

Please submit your application by 24 October 2022, UFV-PA 2022/3489.

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100 %

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: ST/TCO [email protected]
Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2022/3489

Last application date: 2022-10-24

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