PhD Research Project

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EngD-15 Transport and Grid: Using electric vehicles as a grid scale energy store (Scottish & Southern Energy Power Distribution)

Institution:

University of Southampton

Dept/School/Faculty:

Engineering & The Environment

PhD Supervisor:

Prof A Cruden

Co-Supervisor:

Dr S Sharkh

Application Deadline:

17 June 2013

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

Click here to visit the University of Southampton website

Vehicle to Grid (V2G) encompasses the aggregated use of battery elements on all electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) as a grid scale electrical energy store. Towards 2050 a significant proportion (>30%) of the UK vehicle fleet of 33.3 million vehicles will likely incorporate sizeable on-board battery capacity (e.g. a 10kWh battery capacity with 3kW V2G charger). With V2G enabled battery chargers permitting bi-directional energy transfer, this would enable very fast acting (<5 sec), low cost (€22/kW), aggregated battery energy storage of some 30GW/100GWh capacity; a scale permitting grid level functionality such as frequency support, ‘firming’ renewable generation, managing the effects of high renewable generation output and load levelling with the potential to make a significant contribution to help keep the electricity networks within operational limits at a local and regional level.

However, there are many challenges to realise such a V2G system, in terms of vehicle and grid control, pricing, emissions, battery lifetime and the regulatory regime.

This EngD project is part funded by SSEPD (Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution) and aims to study and quantify the grid impact and potential benefits of distributed EV bidirectional power flows, effective control and communication strategies, economics and the environmental impact of V2G. The candidate will ideally have a 1st Class Honours degree in Electrical Engineering or other Engineering/Maths discipline, a keen interest in vehicular energy storage, future energy systems, a working knowledge of Matlab, and a desire for an ultimate career in this field. The candidate will spend a negotiable amount of time working on this project at SSEPD’s premises (Reading), will gain direct project management and business experience within a large organisation, and will join and interact with an existing EngD student cohort and industrial contacts within the IDTC in Transport and the Environment within Southampton University.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof Andrew Cruden, Electro-Mechanical research group, Email: A.J.Cruden@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 7660.

Start dates: 1 February 2013 and 26 September 2013
Closing date for applications: 15 April 2013

Funding Notes:

This EngD project will be funded through the Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) http://www.southampton.ac.uk/idtc. The studentship comprises support from both EPRSC http://www.epsrc.ac.uk and an industrial sponsor.

To be eligible students need to have UK status or be a European Union (EU) national who has been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for three years prior to the commencement of studies.

Enquiries: engd@soton.ac.uk

Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 Results

Unit of Assessment: Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering				What is the RAE?
FTE Category A Staff Submitted	4*	3*	2*	1*	U/C
132.49	15%	45%	35%	5%	0%