The effect of climate change on design and operation of meshed power networks

The attractive package includes
• A stipend of £19,600 pa for each year of study (mostly tax free)
• University fees paid each year
• Attendance at UK and international conferences
• Mentors from industry partners

Project Description
Applications are invited for a research project that will involve close collaboration between the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, the Met Office and Britain’s electricity network operators including National Grid, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power.
A high proportion of network faults arise due to adverse weather, and there is concern over whether such weather might occur more frequently in future. The Met Office’s Hadley Centre is currently working with the GB network operators – both distribution and transmission – on the possible risk posed by climate change for network operation. With an assessment of risk, the various network operators would be able to consider whether changes to policies or design standards would be necessary to mitigate climate change impacts and safeguard security of supply of electricity.
The work conducted so far by the network operators and the Met office has focused on lower voltage networks for which impacts of outages are generally contained and can be relatively straightforwardly estimated. Power networks operating at higher voltages have a more complex structure and some level of redundancy so that, under normal conditions, single fault outages do not lead to loss of supply. However, in adverse weather, these outages can happen more frequently and have longer repair times so that outages can overlap. Although this generally happens rarely, the impact for electricity users can be very large indeed possibly involving the blackout of large regions or entire countries.
This research is concerned with the analysis of weather-related outages on meshed networks. Suitable classifications of weather types, their spread, rate of occurrence and relationship with power network outages should be developed and statistics collated. These will be further developed to reflect the expected impact of climate change. Then, detailed modelling of the power network will be used to quantify the impact of future fault rates on grid operation and security of supply. The research can then inform new grid design standards and operating procedures to mitigate the risk of major interruptions to electricity supply.

Applications
Applications are invited from UK citizens who have received, or who are due to receive, an upper second or first class Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s with Merit or with Distinction in an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering discipline, Physics, Applied Mathematics or Computer Science.
The successful candidate would be expected to have a strong interest in both electric power systems and climate change. Previous experience in analysis of power network operation would be an advantage. Excellent communication, organisation and team-working skills will be required, along with a strong desire to learn new techniques and expand their engineering knowledge.
Applicants should send a CV to Dr Keith Bell along with a supporting letter in which they explain their interest in the project and provide evidence of their suitability. Closing date for expressions of interest is March 7th, 2011

Contact Dr Keith Bell, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde,
Royal College Building, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW
Email: [Email Address Removed]
Web: http://www.strath.ac.uk/eee/
Personal web page: http://homepages.eee.strath.ac.uk/~kbell/