Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on the subject of “Data-driven digital twinning of multi-energy systems”.

The Ph.D. position is part of the LIFE (Local Inclusive Future Energy City Platform) project, which aims to develop a district-scale smart energy management platform to resolve grid problems while integrating local stakeholder interests in its design and implementation. The platform will be connected to a wide variety of energy devices/assets, monitor/control multiple devices, simulate the effects of control measures using a Digital Twin, and use new methods to optimise energy services like flexibility while integrating with various energy markets. The platform will improve self-reliance on local clean energy, create financial value for flexibility, and engage locals in the process. This innovation and experimentation will take place in an iconic area of Amsterdam with existing grid issues as part of the wider sustainable urban development. The project will realise a replicable, innovative, integrated and future-proof energy system for similar mixed-use districts in The Netherlands and abroad.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will develop a data-driven digital twinning approach for the energy system in the ArenAPoort area of Amsterdam, which includes the iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA, surrounding residential and commercial premises, and its electrical distribution system.  Subsequently, this digital twin will offer functionality to various stakeholders of the local energy system ranging from residents to business to business services. The scientific challenges relate to 1) coupling of asset (batteries, transformers, substations, EVs, etc.) data to the Python-based digital twin using standard toolchains like the functional mockup interface, 2) numerical model prototyping, developing, and validation using statistical learning or similar techniques, 3) (co-)simulation approaches for multi-energy systems, 4) systemic validation techniques for (real-time) digital twins, 5) developing machine learning-based applications for the digital twin and more broadly the LIFE city platform, and 6) uncertainty quantification for flexibility services for various time frames.

This is a four-year doctoral appointment. You will be jointly supervised by Prof. Peter Palensky (chair IEPG) and dr. Arjen van der Meer (programme manager of the PowerWeb Institute & research fellow AMS Institute). You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. Moreover, this Ph.D. project will be closely linked to

• the PowerWeb Institute, a multidisciplinary university-wide collaboration themed around intelligent and integrated energy systems
• The Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan solutions (AMS Institute)

In this position you will have plenty opportunities to collaborate with industrial and societal partners in the Amsterdam ArenAPoort area, but also with academics from other disciplines, as required (controls, industrial design, governance, urban living labs). A secondment at one of the LIFE project partners in Amsterdam will be part of your research.  Within the team, we strive to develop engineering methods that are mathematically rigorous and have near-term application potential in the power engineering domain and (urban) society. We are strong supporters of open science (publishing, source code, data). You will also be expected to assist in teaching activities (student supervision, labs) related to your subject area

Essentials:

• Completed M.Sc. degree in Electrical (Power) Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or similar.
• you have experience with operation of energy systems, power systems in particular and preferably at distribution level
• You have extensively applied the Python programming language throughout your B.Sc. and M.Sc. and demonstrated this also beyond your curriculum.
• Thorough experience with data-driven techniques like uncertainty quantification and supervised learning
• You can demonstrate your experience on static and dynamic modelling of smart grids
• You have a strong vision on how to make the energy system more flexible.
• Excellent command of English (written + oral). Dutch is not required.

Desirables: 

• Basic knowledge on design of experiments and optimisation techniques
• You have affinity with market aspects of electricity networks
• You can demonstrate your experience on design and simulation of socio-technical systems
• You have worked with living labs or similar approaches.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of 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 three areas:

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

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, DC Grids testing environment and 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.

The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Professor 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.