PhD Studentship: Moments of Power: Performance of Energy Systems in Real-World Conditions

Is the project University funded or unfunded?: University funded

Funding eligibility (please select one): Competition funded project (students worldwide)

Is the project UKRI funded?: No

Is the project industry funded?: No

Is the project part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship?: No

Closing date of advert: 13^th February 2025

Start date: October 2025

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years

Who is eligible to apply?: Both UK and International

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead: Thomas Steffen

Primary supervisor email address: t.steffen@lboro.ac.uk

Primary supervisor telephone number: +441509227224

Link to supervisor's online staff profile page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/staff/thomas-steffen/

Project detail:

Moments of Power is a method for analysing energy systems under real-world usage conditions. It combines polynomial quasi-steady state models of the system with moments of key statistical variables describing the usage, to determine losses and efficiencies at the system level without requiring detailed simulations.

The project aims to apply this methodology to transport systems such as passenger vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and public transport, including the electricity infrastructure used to power electric vehicles. The goal is to identify the best vehicles, the best system, or the best component for a typical usage case, and to optimise the design and control of the system/component. Ultimately, this analysis will make a key contribution to the question of how to deal with the volatility of renewable generation on our path to a sustainable net zero future.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have or expect to achieve a 2:1 in a relevant subject. Successful candidates have a good understanding of power systems, power trains, or power conversion devices. They also have a basic grasp of physical modelling techniques and regression statistics. Part of the work will be reasonably mathematical, so a good understanding of multivariate analysis and calculus is advised. Technical programme skills are expected.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

Bench fees required: No

How to apply: All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select AACME/ Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering. Please quote the advertised reference number: * AACME-24-026 * in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Project search terms: automotive engineering, electrical engineering, engineering mathematics, statistics, systems engineering

Other search terms not listed: efficiency optimisation

Email Address AACME: Aacme.Pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

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