PhD scholarship on Protection schemes for HVDC cable systems in multi-vendor HVDC grids

vendor HVDC grids

(ref. BAP-2022-801)

Last modification : Monday, November 14, 2022

KU Leuven is a world-leading university, recognized as the most innovative in Europe (Reuters), where we combine top level academic research with innovation and knowledge transfer with industry. Within the Electa division at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) at KU Leuven, and the research center EnergyVille, the research team led by prof. Dirk Van Hertem focuses on HVDC grid protection and planning and operation of future power systems, with a focus on DC systems. The group related to protection has a mix between senior experts and PhD students and consists of about 10 people. In this scholarship you will work closely with NKT Germany. NKT is a company that connects a greener world with high-quality power cable technology and takes centre stage as the world moves towards green energy. NKT designs, manufactures and installs low-, medium- and high-voltage power cable solutions enabling sustainable energy transmission. Since 1891, NKT has innovated the power cable technology building the infrastructure for the first light bulbs to the megawatts created by renewable energy today.

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The position is part of the ADOreD (Accelerating the Deployment of Offshore wind using Dc technology) project. ADOreD is one of the largest industrial doctoral networks contributing to the decarbonization of electric power system via developing the most appropriate models and methods for a coordinated approach to offshore renewable connections. Six academic and 12 industrial beneficiaries will recruit and train 19 doctoral candidates performing research on topics spanning offshore wind, HVDC technology and grids and interactions between AC and DC systems. ADOReD is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research & innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101073554.

In accordance with MSCA Doctoral Networks, candidates must comply with mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date. This may require that the candidate will have to move to another country during that period.

HVDC grids are expected to grow organically from point-to-point and small multi-terminal systems. As a step in between point-to-point HVDC links and selectively protected HVDC grids, re-configurable HVDC links are considered. In such a situation, multiple point-to-point links or small multi-terminals can be re-configured according to the power flow needs, and they can be protected either using AC breakers or fault blocking (e.g., full-bridge) converters. Such types of operation may entail multiple switching and de- energization and re-energization transients of the cable. Furthermore, in the case of full-bridge converters, voltages with opposite polarity may be applied to the cable during fault clearing, e.g., when considering hybrid cable- overhead line systems. This PhD will (i) investigate the impact of these alternative HVDC system protection and operation strategies on the stresses as seen by the cable and, (ii), whenever deemed necessary propose operation methods or mitigation methods that avoid these stresses.

Do you want to be involved in the green energy transition? Do you wish to contribute to the development of wind energy and are you looking for a career in R&D or academia, then we have an opportunity!

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled candidate to join us as PhD scholar.

As the ideal candidate:

We offer an exciting job in one of the leading research institutes in the field and a top supplier in a technology that is key to the development of the sustainable grid of the future. HVDC technology is receiving significant attention from both academia and industry. This project allows you to work in an inspiring environment within a team of enthusiastic colleagues on a highly timely research topic.

Applicants should provide a two paragraph (up to half an A4 page) statement explaining (i) the motivation for applying for this vacancy at KU Leuven, and (ii) a first assessment of how you would tackle the overall challenge. In this regard we strongly encourage you to visit the research group's website (see link above), and read one or several of the recent publications, to get a clear view on the type of work being conducted.

The candidates will be jointly assessed by KU Leuven and NKT. The position is part of a large industrial doctoral network and the submitted information may be shared among the partners for recruitment purposes related to the AdoreD project only.

For more information, please contact Mr. Willem Leterme, tel.: +32 16 32 86 97, mail: [email protected]

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].