Introduction

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a young university, founded in 1956 by industry, local government and academia. Today, their spirit of collaboration is still at the heart of the university community. We foster an open culture where everyone feels free to exchange ideas and take initiatives.

Eindhoven University of Technology offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Eindhoven University of Technology combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. We understand things by making them and we make things by understanding them.

Our campus is in the centre of one of the most powerful technology hubs in the world: Brainport Eindhoven. Globally, we stand out when it comes to collaborating with advanced industries. Together with other institutions, we form a thriving ecosystem with one common aim - to improve quality of life through sustainable innovations.

The Electromechanics and Power Electronics group is one of the nine research groups of the Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e. The group is the main center for research in electromechanical power conversion and power electronics in the Netherlands. The research is aligned with the three main strategic research themes of the Eindhoven University of Technology, i.e. Energy, Health and Smart Mobility. The four research tracks of the EPE group are high-tech motion systems and robotics, power electronics systems, smart mobility and advanced modeling. Furthermore, the group is one of the founders of the High Tech Systems Center in which all mechatronic knowledge of the TU/e will be bundled.

Vacancy

This PD position targets the development of a solid state Voltage Regulator for application in distribution transformers as installed in the public electricity grid.

Classically, the generation and distribution of electrical energy to residential end users follows a top-down approach: the electricity is most often produced at medium voltage (several tens kV) in a large power plant, transformed to high voltage (several 100s kV) for country/Europewide distribution, and close to the end users transformed to the usual 400/230V voltage for the residential three-phase grid. The layout of the distribution network is based on energy flow in a single direction, i.e. from the power plant to the end-user. With proper selection of the various voltage levels and impedances, the voltage at the end-user location can usually be maintained within pre-defined, acceptable margins. Only in a minority of cases a local control of the end-user voltage is used. Such a control is most often implemented by means of a mechanical tap-changer located next to the distribution transformer. Such a device is typically slow and costly, and can support only a limited number of switching events.

With the introduction of renewable, locally generated energy this picture changes, as the generation of such energy is rather unpredictable, and can lead to reversal of the power flow in local cabling. Additionally, new user types, such as chargers for electrical vehicles and heat-pumps add to the dynamics of the typical grid loading at consumer side. As a consequence, transformers equipped with tap-changers will be needed at many more locations, and they will need to act much more often due to rapid changes in wind conditions and insolation.

The target of this project is to develop an electronic device to replace the mechanical tap-changer. This device will allow a much more dynamic operation, at lower cost, than its existing mechanical counterpart. Such a device needs only to process a fraction of the total power (5-10% of typically 0.5-1 MVA) of a distribution transformer. As a bonus, being fully electronic, such a device could provide additional functionality such as reduction of harmonics and improved diagnostics.

The candidate will investigate solutions for the functionality described above, operating at the MV side (10-20 kV) of the distribution transformer. In particular, research will be done on the robustness with respect to surges in the supplying grid, improving the power quality (reduction of harmonics.

The candidate will be based in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics (EPE) group in the Electrical Engineering department (https://www.tue.nl/epe). Regular meetings will be planned with the industrial project partners.

The PD candidate for the SSVR project, should fulfill the following requirements:

• MSc and PhD diplomas in Electrical Engineering
• Strong affinity with power electronics, state-of-the-art digital control and mathematics
• Experience with MV technology
• A working knowledge of distribution grids
• Knowledge of EMC and thermal performance for power electronics
• Strong analytical and research capabilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to independently organize his/her own work, to solve problems, to achieve desirable goals and to cooperate
• Ability to participate in the teaching process in BSc and MSc programs (both taught in English)
• Good scientific writing and documentation skills
• Strong command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch/German language is a plus)

• Challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university and a stimulating internationally renowned research environment.
• Full-time temporary appointment for 2 years.
• The gross salary for a post-doc researcher lies between € 3.255 and € 4.274, depending on experience and knowledge.
• An extensive package of fringe benefits (e.g. excellent technical infrastructure, the possibility of child care and excellent sports facilities).
• Moreover, an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year allowance is provided annually. Assistance for finding accommodation is available.