At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Energy Technology a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme of Energy Technology. The stipend is open for appointment from April 1, 2015.  

Job description

The transmission system is undergoing major changes now and in the years to come. This is driven by the need for including large share of renewable energy sources, of which offshore wind is the most dominant. Power transmission systems are dominated by overhead lines (OHL’s), which traditionally are made as large steel lattice structures, very dominant with regards to visual impact. Public opinion is increasingly and strongly opposing both existing and planned, new OHL’s, so there’s a need for a new design with a more friendly visual impact.
 
The Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, offers a PhD stipend in the electrical design of such a new, highly innovative tower. The stipend is a part of the PoPyFu (POwer PYlons of the FUture), which is financed by the The Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation. The project is carried out in cooperation with Bystrup Arkitekter, Danish Technical University and Tuco Marine. PoPyFu’s aims at the next generation of OHL design with benefits to both end-users (TSO’s) and the public, by developing new design pylons that are smaller, more compact and are more visually acceptable, to further reduce OHL construction cost due to an even smaller and more compact pylon, and, reduce corona noise and magnetic fields.

The project objectives are to develop testing methods for assessing novel composite cross-arm electrical performance. This includes both electrical insulation coordination tests as well as test methods to be used for estimating dielectric behavior of the composite material and assess lifetime degradation mechanisms.

The following objectives are to be addressed:

-    Planning, design and construction issues of system critical parts identified for full scale HV test
-    Test of cross-arm phase-to-phase insulation (LI, SI and 50/60 Hz wet/dry)
-    Test of cross-arm phase-to-ground insulation (if applicable, i.e. having ground wires)
-    Full scale test of insulator electrical design (three phase test - polluted, precipitation, icing, salt…)
-    Electrical field stress influence on composite materials (dielectric behavior, partial discharges, creeping currents)

The test methods, which are to be developed, are intended to be implemented to both scaled models in the HV laboratory at Aalborg University as well as in foreign state-of-art HV laboratories for full-scale testing at rated voltages.

Applicants for the PhD position should hold a Master’s Degree in Electrical Power System Engineering with a very solid background in high voltage engineering and insulation coordination. Strong theoretical skills combined with experience with experimental HV laboratory work will give a clear advantage with respect to other candidates. The background of the applicant must be proven by means of a list of publications showing a sufficient number of internationally renowned (IEEE, IET, Cigré) publications within the scope of the position. For this position it is required to be fluent in both oral and written English.

The applicant must provide and upload a proper project description which describes the applicant's initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art (including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives. The project description should have a length of 4-5 pages.

You may obtain further information from Professor Claus Leth Bak, Department of Energy Technology, phone: +45 9940 9281, email: clb<στο>et.aau.dk concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Masters degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed every six months. It is a prerequisite for continuation of salary payment that the previous progress is approved at the time of the evaluation. 

The qualifications of the applicant will be assessed by an assessment committee. On the basis of the recommendation of the assessment committee, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science will make a decision for allocating the stipend. 

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Ruth Klitte, The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email:rk<στο>adm.aau.dk, phone: +45 9940 7993. 

The faculty have a research school, The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science:www.phd.teknat.aau.dk and a Network for all PhD students: www.pau.aau.dk  

The application is only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

Agreement

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of March 26, 2012 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the Ministry of Finance current circular on the employment structure at Danish Universities.   

Vacancy number

14-14063

Deadline

12/12/2014Apply online