Delivering Sustainable Energy Solutions to Ports

Ports are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions as they commonly move up to 10,000 containers a day from ship to road or rail transport and correspondingly in the reverse direction from land transport onto ships. The aim of the project is to identify sustainable energy solutions which enable ports to manage transient power flows and maintain power quality in a way that will substantially reduce primary energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.  The project will explore the potential of local energy storage to manage transient power flows inside the port and to identify and trial power management solutions to minimise demand from the grid or diesel generating sets.  In this research project at the University of Reading, the student will focus on developing a model of the energy flow within a single crane and the energy flow between cranes so that methods can be derived to optimise the power flow at the local level (within a crane) and at the network level (within a set of cranes).  The potential of short-term storage to save energy and minimise power flows will also be explored.   

The PhD student will be involved in describing the topology of the crane/flywheel network at the Port of Southampton and will develop a Multiple Agent System/ Artificial Intelligence for coordinating and managing power exchange across the network by using both the network model and the energy demand profile.  

The Energy group in Reading aims to reduce carbon emissions using energy storage. 

School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading:  

The University of Reading, located west of London, England, provides world-class research education programs. The University’s main Whiteknights Campus is set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, a 30-minute train ride to central London and 40 minutes from London Heathrow airport.   

Our School of Biological Sciences conducts high-impact research, tackling current global challenges faced by society and the planet.  Our research ranges from understanding and improving human health and combating disease, through to understanding evolutionary processes and uncovering new ways to protect the natural world.  In 2020, we moved into a stunning new ~£60 million Health & Life Sciences building. This state-of-the-art facility is purpose-built for science research and teaching.  It houses the Cole Museum of Zoology, a café and social spaces. 

In the School of Biological Sciences, you will be joining a vibrant community of ~180 PhD students representing ~40 nationalities. Our students publish in high-impact journals, present at international conferences, and organise a range of exciting outreach and public engagement activities. 

During your PhD at the University of Reading, you will expand your research knowledge and skills, receiving supervision in one-to-one and small group sessions. You will have access to cutting-edge technology and learn the latest research techniques.  We also provide dedicated training in important transferable skills that will support your career aspirations. If English is not your first language, the University's excellent International Study and Language Institute will help you develop your academic English skills. 

The University of Reading is a welcoming community for people of all faiths and cultures.  We are committed to a healthy work-life balance and will work to ensure that you are supported personally and academically. 

Eligibility: 

Applicants should have a good degree (minimum of a UK Upper Second (2:1) undergraduate degree or equivalent) with Electrical Power Engineering, Electronics, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Computing and Mathematics as major subjects. Experience in power systems, modelling, control and programming in Matlab/Simulink techniques is highly desirable.  Applicants will also need to meet the University’s English Language requirements. We offer pre-sessional courses that can help with meeting these requirements. 

How to apply: 

Submit an application for a PhD in Electronics Engineering at http://www.reading.ac.uk/pgapply. 

Further information: 

http://www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/SchoolofBiologicalSciences/PhD/sbs-phd.aspx 

Enquiries: 

Professor William Holderbaum, email: w.holderbaum@reading.ac.uk