PhD Scholarships – Electricity Research Centre, University College ...

PhD Scholarships – Electricity Research Centre, University College Dublin
The Electricity Research Centre (ERC) is an industry-university research collaboration with research
driven by the energy industry worldwide and a particular emphasis on the electricity sector. The ERC
is based in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering at University College
Dublin (UCD). The ERC are currently seeking candidates for PhD scholarships under its Sustainable
Electrical Energy Systems Cluster. The Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems (SEES) Cluster (a
cooperative venture between academic institutions and companies across Ireland with the financial
support of Science Foundation Ireland under Grant Number SFI/09/SRC/E1780) is tackling
fundamental applied research and demonstration challenges to underpin the emergence of future
integrated, smart and sustainable electrical energy systems. The challenges addressed include the
integration and optimisation of very high, variable renewable penetrations (40% energy and above),
the development of an active, smarter electricity network enabled by the deployment of information
and communication technologies, facilitation of customer and utility demand management, and
electrification of segments of the heat and transport markets.
The ERC are currently seeking candidates for up to 7 PhD scholarships in the following areas:
Stability analysis and control of power systems modelled as stochastic differential equations
(Prof. Federico Milano).
Stability analysis and control of power systems modelled as delayed differential equations
(Prof. Federico Milano).
Dynamic ratings for overhead lines (Dr. Damian Flynn).
Stochastic, security constrained power system operation (Dr. Damian Flynn).
Network impact of Flexible Demand and the Connected Customer (Dr. Andrew Keane, UCD
& Prof. Gareth Harrison, University of Edinburgh).
Architecture and Interconnection of Off-shore Windfarms (Dr. Terence O’Donnell).
Modelling and Control of Mixed AC and High Voltage DC Systems (Dr. Terence O’Donnell).
Further details on each of the projects are given below.
ideally have:
Applicants for this scholarship should
An honours degree in either: Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or equivalent;
Technical knowledge of analytical systems to be used would be an advantage;
A good knowledge of computers (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Knowledge of simulation
modelling, exposure assessment would be an advantage;
Good interpersonal and communication skills;
Be enthusiastic and willing to learn new concepts and ideas.
A competitive PhD scholarship (including student stipend of €18,000 p.a. and fees for up to four
years) is offered to the successful applicant. Interested applicants should email a complete CV and
letter of application, stating the PhD project of interest, to:
Dr. Terence O’Donnell
Electricity Research Centre,
UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering.
Tel. + 353 1 716 1953, Email: terence.odonnell@ucd.ie

Further Details of PhD Projects.
Stability analysis and control of power systems modelled as stochastic differential equations (Prof.
Federico Milano).
In the near future, uncertainties are expected to play an important role in the behaviour of power
systems due the high penetration of renewable sources and the increasing interest in micro and
smart grid solutions. Thus, a proper understanding and modelling of stochastic processes is crucial to
properly assess power system security and reliability. This Ph.D. is aimed at defining novel
methodologies for the stability analysis and control of electric power systems modelled as stochastic
differential-algebraic equations. The expected results are a set of theoretical as well as practical
tools to precisely define voltage, transient and frequency stability of power systems with inclusion of
stochastic processes. Candidates have to prove a strong background on statistics and stochastic
differential equations. Experience in power system analysis is not mandatory but will be positively
considered.
Stability analysis and control of power systems modelled as delayed differential equations (Prof.
Federico Milano).
Communications are expected to play a very important role in large power systems as well as in the
interaction of devices composing modern smart grids. In particular, communication systems send
remote measurement signals to control centres, such as wide area monitoring systems. Any delay in
the measurement highly affects the control performance and, hence power system stability and
security. However, a proper understanding and modelling of delays in power system analysis has not
been fully established so far. This Ph.D. appointment is aimed to define novel methodologies for the
stability analysis and control of electric power systems modelled as delayed differential-algebraic
equations. The expected results are a set of theoretical as well as practical tools to define voltage,
transient and frequency stability of power systems with a detailed inclusion of delays. Candidates
have to prove a strong background on functional and/or partial differential equations. Experience in
power system analysis is not mandatory but will be positively considered.
Dynamic ratings for overhead lines (Dr. Damian Flynn).
Dynamic feeder ratings can maximise available transmission and distribution system capacity, as
they reflect actual operating conditions instead of near-worst-case conditions, and so can potentially
increase the harvest of renewable energy. A dynamic rating mechanism, suitable for both long-term
network planning as well as real-time operations, will be investigated, suitable for system-wide
implementation considering control centre architectures, and the underlying data networks used by
the network operators.
Stochastic, security constrained power system operation (Dr. Damian Flynn).
As power systems change in character from being largely predictable in terms of energy sources,
feeder flows and loads, the timing of stress situations will be uncertain, and not necessarily at peak
demand or during a major transmission or generator outage. New (short-term) operational tools
such as stochastic, security constrained unit commitment and security constrained optimal power

flow are required, with focus broadening from a largely passive monitoring role to a more proactive
one, providing dynamic solutions to system operators.
Network Impacts of Flexible Demand and the Connected Customer (Dr. Andrew Keane and Prof.
Gareth Harrison, University of Edinburgh)
(Note this PhD is a joint project between University College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh,
under Universitas 21 Programme)
The increase in flexible demand and progress towards market arrangements for the provision of
ancillary services may in the future pose challenges to the existing network infrastructure. The
electricity network is planned on the basis of an assumed diversity of demand, developed over
decades of operational experience. An uptake in new technologies, such as electric vehicles and the
introduction of smart meters will offer a means for residential and commercial customers to engage
in the provision of system services potentially in return for financial compensation. The provision of
such services will be via the electricity network and thus full account of the potential impacts on the
network should be taken. This project will develop new methods for network planning in light of the
developments described above. The overall aim will be to reconcile the high level system objective
of ancillary service provision with the requirements of maintaining power quality and network
reliability locally.
Architecture and Interconnection of Off-shore Wind farms (Dr. Terence O’Donnell).
Large off-shore wind farms located at a significant distance from the shore are envisaged as a
solution to achieving renewable energy targets while also satisfying environmental and social
concerns. However off shore wind farms present new challenges and opportunities as the choice of
architecture (turbines, generators, power electronics and interconnection), is very much influenced
by concerns of reliability and maintenance. In particular evolving power electronics technologies
could facilitate new forms of control, and interconnection for the wind farm and offer new
possibilities in the provision of network support. The aim of the research is to investigate different
configurations for off-shore wind farms using modelling approaches, investigate new control
strategies, and to compare and contrast the performance of the different architectures particularly
in terms of reliability, grid interface, fault tolerance and network support.
Modelling and Control of Mixed AC and High Voltage DC Systems (Dr. Terence O’Donnell).
Realisation of ambitious European renewable energy targets could be more readily facilitated if the
means existed to balance the inherent variability of renewable generation by interconnecting them
over a wide geographic area, e.g. when the wind is not blowing in Ireland it may be in Spain, and/or
power could be supplied by hydro plants in Scandinavia. One approach to achieving this is the vision
of a European “Supergrid” which would interconnect European countries and facilitate the transfer
of renewable energy across the continent. It is proposed that such a grid would consist of a High
Voltage DC transmission grid superimposed on the existing AC grid. Initially much of this grid may
exist off-shore and be used to interconnect off-shore wind farms. This raises many questions in
terms of the structure, operation, control and interconnection of such a grid. For example it
requires a dc grid with multiple connection points (multi-terminal HVDC) whereas much of the
existing HVCD interconnection is point to point. The aim of the research is to investigate how such
multi-terminal HVDC interconnection might be implemented, controlled, and operated with the
existing AC grid.