University funded PhD Studentship in Renewable Energy: Thermal Regulation of BIPV and BAPV systems for UK and Indian Climatic conditions

Location: Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Tapas Mallick (http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/renewable-energy/staff/tkm201)

Secondary Supervisor: Dr Senthil Sundaram (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/esi/people/academicandhonorary/sundaram/)

Project Description:
The efficiency of photovoltaic panel is approx. 20-24%, while for glass-on-glass building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system is typically 10-15%. Therefore, a large part of the incident energy is being lost due to heating the modules and/or luminous efficacy within the building envelope. In this work, the simulation to identify the light management, thermal management especially cooling of the Building Integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and Building Applied photovoltaics (BAPV) with phase change materials will be explored to maximise the electrical output and reduce the thermal load. The modelling will mainly concentrate on silicon based BIPV and BAPV modules. However, the simulation will include the thin film PV aspects to the modelling and generate data for “Data Centre” purpose. The modelling will be for the office and residential management and addition of retrofitting of the buildings.

The thermal management of the BIPV and BAPV systems will concentrate the cooling of the module, known as CoolethPV. Detailed investigation will be performed to use abandoned heat into useful form and or store as required. The modelling platform will simulate the thermal behaviour of the PV module and solution through phase change materials usage with in BIPV and BAPV. Software’s such as COMSOL multiphysics and TRANSYS will be used to model the systems. The modelling aspect will cover:

i. Design a modelling platform that can be combined with computational solver to simulate the thermal energy storage process accurately, which includes different phase change materials and its suitability according to the location of the building.
ii. Develop and design a parametric study for the system for a specific case study by specifying the location, system heat load and the heat use.

The work is a part of the recently developed Joint UK-India Clean Energy Centre, therefore, travel to Indian organisation may be required.

Contact for Informal enquiries: For more information about the project and informal enquiries, please contact the primary supervisor, Prof. Tapas Mallick (http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/renewable-energy/staff/tkm201)

Application criteria:
You should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Physics, Material Science or Engineering. Experience in modelling/simulations is desirable.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. For more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests visit, http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/

The closing date for applicants is midnight on 9th October 2016