PhD Studentships in Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply, Cardiff University

PhD Studentships
Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply
Cardiff School of Engineering

Applications are invited for six PhD studentships at the Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply (CIREGS) within the School of Engineering at Cardiff University.

In order to meet the UK government target of 10% of electricity supplies from renewable energy by 2010, an aspiration to double this by 2020 and the EU target of 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020, the renewable energy sources (RES) and distributed generation (DG) will play a major role in the future.

The integration of RES and DG will pose many research challenges, especially due to changes in the current network operational and control strategies and dynamic behavior of the network. It is recognised that the future electricity network, both at the transmission and distribution level, can no longer play a passive role. The structure of the network will be highly interconnected with smaller controllable areas, with more responsive demand side loads and DGs. The application of power electronics such as FACTS, HVDC will offer the potential to manage the power flows while enhancing the controllability of the network under dynamic operating conditions. The estimation of the state of the entire and/or controllable areas of the network and coordinate control of these areas will become essential tools.

Recognising the anticipated changes in the future electricity supply system, CIREGS is developing research capacity in integrated renewable energy generation and supply, including “Smart Grids” of the future and contributing towards meeting the UK medium-term renewable energy targets.

The specific PhD projects available are:

1. Integration of Gas/Electricity/ Heat Distribution Networks (REF: NJ-FEM-08)
2. System Support from Demand and Generation (REF: NJ-FLEX1-08)
3. Stability Studies of Multi Terminal HVDC Networks (REF: NJ-FLEX2-08)
4. Smart Grids (REF: NJ-CIREGS1-08)
5. Integration of Large Offshore Wind Farms (REF: NJ-CIREGS2-08)
6. Modern Power Systems (REF: NJ-CIREGS3-08)

The projects are funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and by Supergen consortia.

Funding and Eligibility:
The studentships are open to UK/EU or Overseas candidates. The awards will cover tuition fees at the UK/EU fee rate only (non-EU candidates will have to finance the remainder of the overseas fee by other means), and will provide an annual stipend at the UK Research Council rate (£12,940 for 2008/9).

Applicants should have a good Honours degree (at upper second class or above) or equivalent in a relevant discipline and be able to contribute to achieve the research objectives of the Centre.

How to Apply:
Applications can be made online – please see www.cardiff.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgapply

Please ensure you quote the relevant project reference and title (as shown above) on your application (please put the reference and title in the “research topic” and/or “prospective supervisor” sections of the online application form).

Further information:
Informal enquires may be made to Dr Janaka Ekanayake by email to EkanayakeJ@cardiff. ac.uk

Closing Date for Applications: July 7th 2008