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You will work on the advanced power electronics system for high-power heating based on renewables. You will investigate 1) baseline design of AC grid-connected power-to-heat system, availability analysis of the design solutions under various fault conditions.  2) new electrical system architecture to better couple the renewable source and heating plant with optimized reliability and cost; 3) advanced medium voltage power conversion technologies for high power heating systems to with improved reliability and energy efficiency.

Job Description

Industrial heat makes up two-thirds of industrial energy demand and almost one-fifth of global energy consumption. As the majority of the industrial heat is generated by burning fossil fuel, it contributes to most of the direct industrial CO2 emitted each year. Therefore, it is essential to decarbonize the industrial process heating system to combat climate change. 

Despite many advantages of power-to-heat solutions, there are still significant barriers when scaling up the electrification of industrial process heating systems without the holistic design approach. Firstly, due to the risk aversion in the industry, a critical barrier to industrial electrification is the lack of confidence in the reliability of electrical process equipment as well as the other risks to redesign the manufacturing process lines. Secondly, scaling up the power to heat requires a radical change in the electrical energy system, including a significant expansion of renewable energy generation systems, strengthened transmission and distribution networks, and completely different end-use technologies for process heating, which results in high capital cost (CAPEX). Moreover, the cost reductions in renewable power generation are not directly reflected in actual grid power prices paid by industries,  the industrial electricity rates in many locations are on a per-kWh basis substantially higher than the corresponding prices of natural gas, which results in high operational cost (OPEX). Therefore, further research needs to be done to break down the barriers to enable the large-scale deployment of power to heat technologies.

The objective of this project is to develop cost-effective renewable-based power-to-heat technologies for large-scale industrial electrifications. Specifically, the following research activities will be carried out to overcome the practical barriers in terms of reliability and cost:

• Baseline design of AC grid-connected power-to-heat system, availability analysis of the design solutions under various fault conditions. 
• New electrical system architecture to better couple the renewable source and heating plant with optimized reliability and cost;
• Advanced medium voltage power conversion technologies for high power heating systems to with improved reliability and energy efficiency.

The expected outcomes are as follows:

• Baseline design AC grid-connected power-to-heat system, validation of the availability analysis based on hardware-in-loop test. 
• Novel electrical system architecture design and comparison with baseline design through hardware-in-the-loop validation;
• Down-scale experimental testing of medium voltage power conversion technologies for high power heating systems with improved reliability and energy efficiency.

• PhD in power electronics or any other relevant program.
• Ability to conduct high-quality academic research, demonstrated for instance by a relevant Ph.D. thesis and/or publication(s).
• Hands-on experience in design and implementation of high-power (medium voltage) converter and reliability analysis.
• Have a forward-thinking mindset, and is ambitious to develop a large program on power to heat technology together with industrial partners.
• Excellent mastering of the English language, good communication and leadership skills. Note that there is no Dutch language requirement.
• Be a team player and able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary context.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for two year.
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs for research and valorization,  professional development courses for PhD students, and didactical courses of the TEACH training program.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes).
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.