Cloud Solutions for Complex Power and Energy Systems Validation through Geographically Distributed Research Infrastructures

A three-year funded PhD in Cloud Solutions for Complex Power and Energy Systems Validation through Geographically Distributed Research Infrastructures is offered as part of an international collaboration between Strathclyde, TU Delft, RWTH Aachen University and Nanyang Technological University.

There is a growing need for accurate representation of complex power systems within representative operating environments to identify intricate dependencies and interactions and thus design operational schemes that ensure robust and resilient operation of critical national infrastructure. Capabilities of a single research laboratory for accurate real-time representation of large-scale systems are inherently limited. This limitation is being exacerbated by orders of magnitude increase in grid flexibility resources, integration of energy vectors, large scale roll out of fast acting controls such as power converters, deployment of embedded HVDC links. This PhD provides an opportunity to work as part of an international team of researchers driving breakthroughs in harnessing the computational power of multiple, leading, geographically separated research laboratories. 

Although the concept of interconnecting research laboratories has been well discussed in literature, the realisation of such interconnections remains a challenge, with key issues around scalability, control structures, secondary and tertiary control functions, and communication issues not yet properly resolved. The candidate will work towards development of cloud-architecture for interconnection of geographically distributed simulations including the development of novel coupling interfaces. In addition, the candidate will implement, demonstrate and assess the effectiveness of novel feedforward control and time-delay compensation concepts for cloud-architecture-based interconnection of geographically distributed simulations.  

The successful candidate will be part of Dynamic Power Systems Laboratory team at Strathclyde and join a cohort of PhD students across the four Universities. Secondment opportunities with the partner Universities will be made available throughout the course of the PhD. The PhD programme will further involve collaborations with Strathclyde’s MW-scale Power Networks Demonstration Centre.  

To be considered for the project, candidates must: 

·        Possess an undergraduate MEng, first class BSc/BEng Honors, or postgraduate MSc degree in electrical engineering or computer science. 

·        Have a good understanding of electrical power systems and its modelling. 

·        Have a good understanding, skills, and experience of programming. 

·        Have a demonstrable ability to investigate research problems in an effective manner. 

·        Be willing and able to participate in international secondments. 

Your academic point of contact will be Dr Mazher Syed, Research Fellow and Prof Graeme Burt. 

Application Procedure: 

Candidates should email (reference “PhD-DPSL4”) with a detailed CV, contact information for two academic referees, and a covering letter highlighting their suitability for the position, to Dr Mazher Syed ([Email Address Removed]).  

The application deadline is 10th June 2022.

The project is available for a start from August 2022. 

If you wish to discuss any details of the projects informally, please email Dr Mazher Syed quoting reference “PhD-DPSL4”.