Postdoc MITIGATE HARMonics in Power Electronics-Based Power Systems

This project offers an excellent opportunity to work on novel aspects related to control and protection concepts for multi-terminal HVDC power systems.

Job description

In the framework of ongoing research conducted with TSO and academic institutions, a 21-month postdoc position will be assigned (starting with a 12-month contract). The MITIGATE-HARM project brings direct advancements to the planning and interoperability of HVDC grids by enabling harmonic stability assessment of the hybrid power system (HPS) and design:

• Mathematical framework for identification of instabilities and resonances inside the HPS.
• Based on identified undesired behavior, MITIGATE-HARM will propose possible mitigation measures and wideband passivity of the power system to enable stable power system operation.
• Additionally, the proposed identification and mitigation measures will be implemented using C++ programming language and incorporated inside the Harmony toolbox.

The postdoc position deals with the design of the mathematical approaches for the identification of instabilities and resonances inside the HPS, and their mitigation. You will be supervised by Dr. Aleksandra Lekić (associate professor). You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

About the department

The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, a DC Grids testing environment, and a large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring and protection. Furthermore, the department owns one of the largest academic RTDS infrastructures equipped with additional labs for performing Control and Protection HiL testing.

The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Prof. Dr. Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system. The goal is to generate, transmit and use electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way. IEPG integrates new power technologies and smart controls, which interact with other systems and allow for more distributed and variable generation.

Job requirements

We require:

• Excellent knowledge of electrical power systems and power electronics.
• Experience and comprehensive knowledge in modeling and simulation of power electronic-based power systems; identification of resonances and instabilities, and their mitigations.
• Excellent knowledge of power electronic devices operation, and control for HVDC power systems, including experience in impedance-based stability assessment.
• Excellent programming skills in C++. Knowledge of simulation in PSCAD is a plus.
• Completed a Ph.D. degree in a highly technical related discipline (computer science, electrical engineering, etc.) and you were at the top of your class.
• Excellent English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
• You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• You are keen to work with other co-workers and partners, link real-world challenges and contribute to the ongoing energy transition.

The candidate is required to have good knowledge about power electronic devices, control, simulation and modeling. It is crucial to have solid background and experience with programming.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 21 months (temporary), starting with a 12-month contract.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.