Postgraduate research opportunities AC-DC Power Flow Modelling for Optimal Utilisation of Scottish Renewable Generation

The proposed PhD project, “AC-DC Power Flow Modelling for Optimal Utilisation of Scottish Renewable Generation”, aims to bring transformative change to decision-support tools for managing high-voltage AC-DC electricity transmission networks. The projects intellectual merits lie in advancing the fundamental understanding and theory of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity transmission network, which are expected to play a crucial role in transporting the increasing volumes of Scottish renewable energy generation. The research will build on existing AC transmission models developed at the University of Strathclyde and will provide a novel modelling framework that can be used to co-optimise AC-DC high-voltage networks.

As the Scottish Government targets a substantial increase in onshore and offshore wind generation capacity by 2030, the already constrained transmission network faces challenges due to this surge in wind generation capacity. To address these challenges the importance of HVDC technology is growing. HVDC offers advantages over alternating current (AC) transmission, such as ability to transport large energy volumes over long distances and integrate diverse onshore and offshore renewable sources.

However, despite well-established conversion technology and associated models, there remain gaps in knowledge concerning optimal power flow modelling in AC-DC transmission. This PhD project, in collaboration with the state-of-the-art The National HVDC centre, seeks to bridge these gaps by developing a proof-of-concept AC-DC optimal power flow tool.

For this exciting and important PhD we are seeking a student with an interest in applying advanced mathematical and computational techniques to electricity system problems. The project will require candidates to have excellent mathematical and/or computational skills and an interest in the energy sector. Prospective candidates should have or are about to receive a good Honours degree (a first class or a 2:1), an MEng or MSc with Distinction or with Merit in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or other related disciplines.

The PhD position is fully funded (tuition fees plus a stipend for living expenses) for UK home students through the Energy Industry Doctorate Programme of Energy Technology Partnership (ETP). Overseas students may apply and make use of the provided scholarship, though we note that they would need to provide their own funding to make up the difference between the UK and overseas tuition fees. The student will be supervised by Dr Waqquas Bukhsh (University of Strathclyde) and co-supervised by Prof Ken McKinnon and Dr Andreas Grothey of University of Edinburgh. Technical support and guidance will be available from the National HVDC centre who are the industrial sponsor of this project.