LEDIG STILLING PÅ UNIVERSITETET I SØRØST-NORGE

PhD Research Fellow in AdaptHydro

Deadline: 12.03.2021

University of South-Eastern Norway

The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.

We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.

USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.


The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs. They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.

For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no

The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences (TNM) has a vacancy for a 100 % position as PhD Research Fellow in “Adaptive Operation of Hydropower Units for Increased Integration of Renewable Resources (AdaptHydro)”

About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences (TNM) has a vacancy for a 100 % position as PhD Research Fellow in “Adaptive Operation of Hydropower Units for Increased Integration of Renewable Resources (AdaptHydro)” from 2021.08.01.

The position is located at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Cybernetics and reports to the Head of Department. The department consists of the following research groups: «Self Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology»(SMART), «Telemark Modeling and Control Center» (TMCC), «Hydro Power, Transmission and Distribution» (HPTD). The place of employment is Porsgrunn.

The employment period will be three years of full time with no teaching obligations, and there is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD program in Process, Energy, and Automation Engineering within three months of accession in the position.

About the PhD-project

Global power generation is constantly evolving as a result of worldwide decarbonization. Historically, power generation was traditionally designed for a certain continuous operating cycle with a relatively stable external power grid. Traditional tuning of regulators/stabilizers takes place when the generator is comissioned, and updates are done only when equipment are renewed or when grid expansions make it necessary. However, hydropower units will soon operate in a highly varying electric grid system. These conditions are utterly indifferent to when the unit was designed. Due to the future electric grid's increasing weather and climate vulnerability, new challenges will arise in the power system. The increased incorporation of renewable energy resources like wind and solar power will provide a more varied external power grid, where the hydrogenerator is connected. Thus, the future power grid needs increased stability properties from the hydropower generator to ensure secure operation.

Today, there are stability limits of the grid that limit how much intermittent renewable energy can be integrated into the power grid before operations become unstable. Norwegian hydropower will play a key role using new technology to adaptively support the power system. The work of this PhD study will be associated with ongoing work on hydropower flexibility within the three USN research groups HPTD and SMART and TMCC, in close contact with the nationally funded Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) for the hydropower sector (HydroCen). It is intended that this project is becoming a part of a consortium of several Norwegian industrial partners.

The excitation equipment for the generator has a great impact on the stability of the power system. This equipment consists of excitation, voltage regulator (AVR), and power system stabilizer (PSS). With today's technology development, it is of interest to look at whether data-driven modeling solutions, such as machine learning, can be used for automatic tuning of PSS during the operation of the hydropower plant. This will lead to increased stability of the entire power system, i.e., it will maximize the possibility of integrating more renewable energy resources to the grid without losing stability. The proposed project aims to evaluate solutions that can support the future operation of the energy system by delivering increased stability properties from the hydropower generator.

In particular, the student may focus on the following tasks:

  • Explore approaches to make the PSS design more adaptable and versatile by using machine learning algorithms to develop a system that adapts itself to the surrounding conditions. Classic generators will be compared with generators that are operated at variable speeds.
  • Investigate and employ a hybrid grey-box modeling approach by combining both data driven modeling based on machine learning algorithms, and physic based modeling for real-time emulation of hydropower plants. Sub-objectives for the data-driven approach is to investigate the amount of data necessary, the data quality needed, type of modeling approach, and the possibility to estimate the online optimal tuning parameters. Models and data could include relevant generator, turbine, transformer, and grid dynamics based on the actual design and operational data from the system.
  • Investigate using PMUs (synchro-phasors) and other measuring equipment that continuously characterizes the external network and monitors the generator's internal properties (e.g. reactances).
  • The modeling and tuning approach should be aiming for online operation with ongoing communication toward an overseeing smart plant control system. The project will investigate the possibility of developing an integrated data-driven hydro-plant emulation with controller-hardware-in-the-loop based on real-time data transmission for an actual hydro plant. This implies online connectivity with an actual power plant to stream operational data to develop accurate data for a hydropower-plant digital twin.
  • Regularly publish results in scientific journals and conferences and present the project to relevant national and international actors.

The project aims to strengthen the overall digital competence at USN in collaboration with HydroCen in terms of data-driven models and control of hydropower plants. It is desired to use modern advanced tuning concepts as well as new concepts, both in discrete hydropower components and in the general optimal control of one or more plants. The applicant must expect to do some laboratory tests in Trondheim (NTNU) for research at HydroCen labs and SmartGrid-Laboratory.

Qualifications

Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent higher education qualifications in engineering/technology with solid knowledge within (i) Electrical Power Engineering ii) Development of data driven models (e.g., Machine Learning) iii). Development of mechanistic models for dynamic systems iv) computer programmming, with emphasis on languages such as MATLAB, Python, etc. Experience in hydropower engineering with control engineering and optimization is a distinctive advantage. The application will be further strengthen if documentation are provided that the specified thematic areas are applied in thesis or in publications by the applicant.

Other Qualifications:

Excellent written and oral English language skills are required. Experience with publishing papers is an advantage. For admission to the Programme the weighted average grade is B or higher is usually required. The applicant must have gained the degree within the start date of the position, so applicants in the last semester of their master degree are also encouraged to apply.

The candidate must have the ability to work independently and at the same time have the motivation to share knowledge and take part in team work. Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realise common objectives. Personal suitability for the post will be emphasised.

Personal characteristics:

• Strongly motivated and ambitious

• Be structured, targeted and solution oriented

• Have motivation to work interdisciplinary

• The successful candidate should be creative and actively contribute in the team he/she will be part of

• Have good dissemination skills

• Personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude, and contributing to a sustainable social environment will also be valued

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

The research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations, and the candidate may be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

We offer

  • A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
  • An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
  • A good social environment
  • Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
  • Opportunity for physical activities within working hours

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 482 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position. [In special cases, employment in code 1378 (NOK 482 200 – 618 600 a year) may be considered.

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Other information

The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.

The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.

According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.

The Department has few women/men appointed in scientific positions, and women/men are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.

The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.

Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:

  • Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Thomas Øyvang (thomas.oyvang@usn.no), tlf: +47 35 57 51 55 at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Cybernetics

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:

  • Senior Executive Officer Ruth Helen Haugerud, email: ruth.haugerud@usn.no

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).

The following documents shall be attached to the online application:

  • Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS). The transcript should clearly show the grades obtained for different courses taken at the Bachelor and Master Degree.
  • Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
  • A 5 page maximum project description. The candidate should describe how he/she would carry out the tasks if he/she is offered this position. The description can also contain new ideas or methods that the candidate would think of using them for the execution of this PhD project.
  • Any scientific publications and a list of these
  • Three references (contact information)

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.

The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.

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