PhD Studentship: SiC Power Electronic Conversion for Wind Power

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Bristol, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 03 Oct 2021

Start date: 1 December 2021

The project:

Would you like to address the challenges of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by enhancing energy efficiency in wind turbines, and by making optimising different aspects of the whole power train? Are you interested in renewable energy and the technology that turns a variable supply of electricity into the reliable flow of power that users require? With emerging wide-bandgap power semiconductor devices, a step-change in switching speeds is looming, where the core of power management equipment is going to drastically shrink and become more efficient. International companies need experts in this emerging field of power electronic engineering.

Emerging high-speed SiC and GaN power semiconductor devices offer significant design and performance-based benefits over existing devices and will dramatically improve power conversion systems in electric vehicles and renewable power generation. SiC technologies have evolved to the point where they could be used the multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines of the future. However, research is needed to learn how to maintain SiC devices’ ultra-fast switching, which is what makes them so efficient, in a system that is used to slower silicon power devices.

This PhD will investigate high-speed gate drivers, sensing, control, including the latest SiC modules. You will be part of a larger project funded by a Wind Power company, and through this gain valuable insight into the cutting-edge of industrial R&D in this area. You will also use novel components developed by the Bristol Electrical Energy Management (EEMG) research group.

How to apply:

Prior to any application, please contact Dr Saeed Jahdi to discuss your research proposal to see if it aligns with their current research. No indication of an offer can be made until a completed application has been received.

To apply for this studentship, submit a PhD application using our online application system .

Please ensure that in the Funding section you tick “I would like to be considered for a funding award from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department” and specify the title of the scholarship in the “other” box below along with and the name of the supervisor. Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible.

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must meet the entry requirements for the PhD Research programme they wish to apply to. Requirements can be found at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2021/eng/phd-elec-electronic-eng/ including English Language.

Funding:

This is a fully funded 4-year studentships covering:

  • Minimum £18,000 tax-free stipend per year for living expenses
  • tuition fees at UK student rates
  • equipment and travel allowance to support research related activities.

For EPSRC funding, students must meet the EPSRC residency requirements . 

Contacts:  

For questions about the research topic please contact Dr Saeed Jahdi and Prof Bernard Stark on [email protected] and [email protected] .

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact [email protected]



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