PhD Studentship - New Types of Dynamic Phenomena in Converter Dominated Power Systems

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-fap

This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded; tuition fees will be paid and you will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2023/24), linked to a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FS034420%2F1). The funding is open to UK students.

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a strong mathematical background, curiosity and interest in power systems dynamics.

You will be part of a strong power systems group (www.eee.manchester.ac.uk/research/expertise/energy-networks) at the University of Manchester, working with a team led by Dr. Panagiotis Papadopoulos built around a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship focusing on “Addressing the complexity in future power system dynamic behaviour” (gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FS034420%2F1 and gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FY00390X%2F1)

The project will be supervised by Dr. Panagiotis Papadopoulos.

Project background and details:

Power systems are going through unprecedented changes, mainly driven by the need for decarbonisation. This leads to the connection of several new types of devices, including renewable generation, electric vehicles, HVDC interconnectors, etc. These devices are mostly power electronic interfaced introducing new types of dynamic phenomena and the need for more detailed models, increasing complexity. In addition, intermittent behaviour of renewable generation but also social aspects and market structures related to how we use electricity, increase uncertainty.

Power systems are inherently nonlinear dynamical systems, requiring large computational effort to assess and study system stability. This is becoming even more challenging under increasing complexity requiring detailed dynamical models and with new dynamic phenomena arising. For example, new types of oscillations in relatively higher frequencies are being observed in real systems throughout the world. In addition, a much larger number of scenarios need to be investigated due to increasing uncertainty in power system operation and lack of knowledge on where worst-case scenarios lie.

This PhD project will focus on new types of dynamic phenomena that might appear in converter dominated power systems. The project will focus on identifying and characterising under which conditions such phenomena appear, and understanding what mechanisms are causing them. Apart from oscillations caused by small disturbances that can be studied with linearised models, non-linear and hybrid dynamics will also be investigated.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a first honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded; tuition fees will be paid and you will receive an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2023/24), linked to a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship (gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FS034420%2F1). The funding is open to home and overseas students.

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor, Dr. Panagiotis Papadopoulos (panagiotis.papadopoulos@manchester.ac.uk) before you apply. Please include a copy of your CV with details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and 1-page cover letter describing your motivation and why you are appropriate to study this PhD project.

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