PhD Scholarship: Optimization of electricity market with wind power and DG units for good economics and grid security

University: Aalborg University (AAU) - Denmark

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Energy Technology a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme Energy Technology. The stipend is open for appointment from March 1, 2011". Job description Optimization of electricity market with wind power and DG units for good economics and grid security The research project, Development of a Secure, Economic and Environmentally-friendly Modern Power System, is mainly funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research with focus on some key issues of the future power system. The project will develop new concepts and technologies for creating a secure and economic power grid which is an important part of the environmental friendly sustainable energy system. A number of Working Tasks will be conducted; this PhD project, being funded by the Research Council and Aalborg University, is to deal with the electricity market optimization for good economics and grid security in power systems with wind power and DG units." You may obtain further information from Professor Zhe Chen , Department of Energy Technology , phone: +4599409255 , email: zch@et.aau.dk concerning the technical aspects of the stipend.

PhD Scholarship: An interactive energy system with grid, heating and transportation system

University: Aalborg University (AAU) - Denmark At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Energy Technology a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme “Energy Technology”. The stipend is open for appointment from March 1, 2011. Job description An interactive energy system with grid, heating and transportation system The research project, Development of a Secure, Economic and Environmentally-friendly Modern Power System, is mainly funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research with focus on some key issues of the future power system. The project will develop new concepts and technologies for creating a secure and economic power grid which is an important part of the environmental friendly sustainable energy system. A number of Working Tasks will be conducted; this PhD project, being funded by the Council and Aalborg University, is to deal with an energy system with interactions of electrical grid, heating and transportation systems.

PhD Scholarship: Intelligent automation and control of generation units at distribution systems

University: Aalborg University (AAU) - Denmark At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of "Energy Technology" a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme “Energy Technology”. The stipend is open for appointment from "January 1, 2011". Job description Intelligent automation and control of generation units at distribution systems The research project, Development of a Secure, Economic and Environmentally-friendly Modern Power System is mainly funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research with focus on some key issues of the future power system. The project will develop new concepts and technologies for creating a secure and economic power grid which is an important part of the environmental friendly sustainable energy system. A number of Working Tasks will be conducted; this PhD project, being funded by the Council and Aalborg University, is to deal with the operation and control of distributed generation units in power distribution systems.

The ABCs of HVDC Transmission Technologies

Monopolar HVDC converter station.

HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT (HVDC) TECHNOLOGY has characteristics that make it especially attractive for certain transmission applications. HVDC transmission is widely recognized as being advantageous for long-distance bulk-power delivery, asynchronous interconnections, and long submarine cable crossings. The number of HVDC projects committed or under consideration globally has increased in recent years reflecting a renewed interest in this mature technology. New converter designs have broadened the potential range of HVDC transmission to include applications for underground, offshore, economic replacement of reliability-must-run generation, and voltage stabilization. This broader range of applications has contributed to the recent growth of HVDC transmission. There are approximately ten new HVDC projects under construction or active consideration in North America along with many more projects underway globally.

Power Engineering Guide Transmission and Distribution (5)

Surge Arresters

The main task of an arrester is to protect equipment from the effects of overvoltages. During normal operation, it should have no negative effect on the power system. Moreover, the arrester must be able to withstand typical surges without incurring any damage. Nonlinear resistors with the following properties fulfill these requirements:

_ Low resistance during surges so that overvoltages are limited

_ High resistance during normal operation, so as to avoid negative effects on the power system and

_ Sufficient energy absorption capability for stable operation with this kind of nonlinear resistor, there is only a small flow of current when continuous operating voltage is being applied.

Power Engineering Guide Transmission and Distribution (4)

Live-Tank Circuit-Breakers for 72 kV up to 800 kV

live tank C.B

The construction

All live-tank circuit-breakers are of the same general design, as shown in the illustrations.

They consist of the following main components:

1) Interrupter unit

2) Closing resistor (if applicable)

3) Operating mechanism

4) Insulator column (AIS)

5) Operating rod

6) Breaker base

7) Control unit

The uncomplicated design of the breakers and the use of many similar components, such as interrupter units, operating rods and control cabinets, ensure high reliability because the experience of many breakers in service has been applied in improvement of the design. The twin nozzle interrupter unit for example has proven its reliability in more than 60,000 units all over the world.

Power Engineering Guide Transmission and Distribution (3)

Design of Air-Insulated Outdoor Substations

outdoor substations

Air-insulated outdoor substations of open design must not be touched. Therefore, air-insulated switchgear (AIS) is always set up in the form of a fenced-in electrical operating area, to which only authorized persons have access. Relevant IEC 60060 specifications apply to outdoor switchgear equipment. Insulation coordination, including minimum phase -to-phase and phase-to-ground clearances, is effected in accordance with IEC 60071.

Outdoor switchgear is directly exposed to the effects of the environment such as the weather. Therefore it has to be designed based on not only electrical but also environmental specifications.

Power Engineering Guide Transmission and Distribution (2)

Power Transmission Systems

The supply of power means more than just the combination of individual components. Particularly in countries where demand for power is growing at an above-average rate, there are large-scale projects under way, e.g. transmission systems or industrial complexes. Setting up such large-scale projects calls for an expert partner, capable of diligently analysing demand and of planning the project integrally, taking all marginal conditions into account. This means a competent partner who produces top-quality components both for power transmission and for system management tasks. Such a partner must also ensure that the systems will be properly installed.

Experienced project management – the way to the successful project

With all key technologies in house, Siemens can provide turnkey solutions for individual demands in the field of power transmission and distribution.

The scope of supply includes all components from the generator terminals, via AC or DC transmission and the high-voltage grid to the HV, MV and LV distribution system going down to the individual customers. The benefits of turnkey projects are:

_ All project coordination is in one hand and

_ The interfaces between customer and supplier are minimized

_ The turnkey responsibility of Siemens reduces the project risk for the customer. In close cooperation with the customer, the task definition for the scheduled project is drawn up, and all marginal conditions clarified.

16 PhD Scholarships- Graduate Teaching Assistantships at the University of Salford (UK)

Applications are invited for the Graduate Teaching Assistantships at the University of Salford. There are 16 scholarships available for PhD students, starting in September 2011.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships offer a valuable opportunity to study for a PhD while teaching in subjects broadly related to your PhD research.

Graduate Teaching Assistants work with academic staff in a range of teaching, learning and assessment activities to support undergraduate student learning for 180 hours per academic year.

The Graduate Teaching Assistantship covers full tuition fees and the scholarship for three years, based on successful PhD progression. The scholarships are worth £13,590 per year (based on 2010-2011 levels).

The research areas in which Graduate Teaching Assistantships are offered this year are:

PhD studentship in Investigating electric power system design concepts for the all-electric aircraft (UK)

Supported by Rolls-Royce and Cranfield University, a studentship up to £17,000 p.a. for 3 years plus fees* is available

Cranfield University have a collaborative research opportunity with Rolls-Royce, which aims to investigate future possibilities and concepts of an electric power system for all-electric, low emission aircrafts.

Given the predicted growth in air traffic, the demand to reduce the effect the aerospace industry has on the environment (emissions and noise), the increasing cost of kerosene and the technical maturity of present solutions, the aerospace industry is increasingly looking to more radical solutions with the aim of reducing emissions, fuel burn and noise. Examples of more radical propulsion options which generally require advanced electrical technologies include: lightweight energy storage, lightweight power electronics (cryo cooled), and lightweight electrical machines (super conducting).

Working as part of a wider future aircraft concept research team, this research will build on a previous project, which developed a functional assessment for the electric power system design of the all-electric aircraft (AEA). This research focuses on the future concepts of the electric power system for the AEA. The overall project objectives are to:

EPSRC PhD Studentships in Power Electronics Machines and Drives (Newcastle University-UK)

Power Electronics, Machines and Drives Research Group

Newcastle University

Subjects: Computing and Computer Science | Electrical/Electronic Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Supervisors: Professor B. Mecrow, Dr. M. Armstrong, Dr. D. Atkinson, Dr. W. Cao, Dr. D. Giaouris, Dr. V. Pickert, Dr. B. Zahawi
Duration of the award: 3 years

Project descriptions
The Power Electronics, Machines and Drives research group is offering funded PhD positions in a range of topics within the field of power electronics, machines and drives to start in September 2011. Example projects include:

Electric and Hybrid vehicles
Electric vehicles are expected to become mainstream within the next few years and are likely to eclipse the internal combustion engine within 30 years. There are many challenges facing their development, including performance, efficiency and cost. Through our close links with the automotive industry, we are able to offer topics in leading edge research, ranging from charging systems using inductive power transfer, through power electronic converters and their thermal management to traction motors.

Renewable Energy/Electrical Engineering PhD Studentship ( University of Exeter - UK)

Power electronics converter for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles Ref: 652

About the award

Primary supervisor: Dr Mohammad Abusara
Secondary supervisor: Professor George Smith

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) shares the characteristics of the traditional hybrid electric vehicle in that it has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor/generator, and a battery. In addition, the PHEV has a plug to connect to the grid during parking. The battery can be charged during off peak periods when the demand on the grid electrical power is low. During peak loads, the parked vehicle can act as a battery powered distributed generator that helps balancing the grid load demand by delivering electrical power into the grid. The vehicle communicates with utility grid operator, via a radio signal for example, to determine charging/discharging mode and rate. An important component of a PHEV is the power electronics converter that performs the battery charging and discharging tasks.

Power Engineering Guide Transmission and Distribution (1)

This Power Engineering Guide is devised as an aid to electrical engineers who are engaged in the planning and specifying of electrical power generation, transmission, distribution, control, and utilization systems. Care has been taken to include the most important application, performance, physical and shipping data of the equipment listed in the guide which is needed to perform preliminary layout and engineering tasks for industrial and utility-type installations.

The equipment listed in this guide is designed, rated, manufactured and tested in accordance with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recommendations. However, a number of standardized equipment items in this guide are designed to take other national standards into account besides the above codes, and can be rated and tested to ANSI/ NEMA, BS, CSA, etc.

India to Install The Largest Tidal Power Plant in Asia

A tidal power plant off the west coast of India could be among the first large-scale such facility in all of Asia. Atlantis Resources announced plans to install a 50 MW tidal plant consisting of 1 MW turbines in the Gulf of Kutch; construction could begin this year.

The Atlantis turbines, which also come in a 2 MW size, use a double turbine design to harness the flow of the tide. The planned Indian facility would be among the first in Asia, but tidal power -- along with wave power and related projects -- is clearly trending upward around the world. There are large proposed projects in South Korea, and Atlantis alone has other projects in Australia and Scotland.

In the US, pilot projects are underway in the northwest and elsewhere, and there is  interest in installing hydrokinetic turbines in the Mississippi River. Even New York City gets a tiny portion of power from tidal resources, with turbines under the East River providing small amounts of power to Roosevelt Island.

NEMA Launches Educational Videos for Smart Grids

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has launched its “Vids for Grids: New Media for the New Energy Workforce” (V4G) program with the first two videos of a 12-video series that demonstrates a best practice in integrating new media into engineering core curricula.

“Switchgear,” filmed at NEMA member Eaton Electrical, explains how high voltage and large currents can be controlled efficiently in a large industrial facility as well as a university campus. “Surge Arresters,” filmed at NEMA member Hubbell Power Systems, shows how distribution arresters and ground lead disconnectors improve grid reliability. They are available at www.youtube.com/vids4grids.

Future videos will address capacitors, conductors, connectors, dynamic line ratings, energy storage, flywheels, industrial automation, lighting management systems, and meters. NEMA expects to release one new video per month.

According to NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis, there is a dire need for workforce training in the electric power sector.

“Smart Grid is our future,” he said. “An aging workforce has created a brain drain in the electric power sector. This series will introduce Smart Grid concepts to tomorrow’s engineers.”

In collaboration with member manufacturers, the series features Smart Grid equipment, explains electrical engineering concepts, and portrays careers in power engineering. Curriculum has been developed in conjunction with Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University.

Online Courses: Beginner's Guide to ATP-EMTP

Introduction

ATP is a universal program system for digital simulation of transient phenomena of electromagnetic as well as electromechanical nature. With this digital program, complex networks and control systems of arbitrary structure can be simulated. ATP has extensive modelling capabilities and additional important features besides the computation of transients.

ATP has been continuously developed through international contributions by Drs. W. Scott Meyer and Tsu-huei Liu, the co-Chairmen of the Canadian/American EMTP User Group. The birth of ATP dates to early in 1984, when Drs. Meyer and Liu did not approve of proposed commercialization of BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) EMTP by DCG (the EMTP Development Coordination Group) and EPRI (the Electric Power Research Institute). Dr. Liu resigned as DCG Chairman, and Dr. Meyer, using his own personal time, started a new program from a copy of BPA's public-domain EMTP. Requirements of ATP development include honesty in all dealings and non-participation in EMTP commerce. ATP is not in the public domain, and licensing is required before ATP materials are received (refer to Licensing).

Online Courses: Introduction to Power Systems (The University of Manchester– UK)

Lecture (1) Introduction to Power System Analysis

Major power system components

What is Power System Analysis?

Definition (Power System Analysis)

It is the sub-discipline of electric power engineering concerned with the study of the behavior of electric power systems under a variety of possible operational conditions (“normal”, “faulted”, etc.)

PSA relies on knowledge and methods from

ü  Physics: System modeling, electromagnetic field theory, classical mechanics.

ü  Circuit theory: AC circuits & phasors, 3-phase networks.

ü  Mathematics: Linear algebra, differential equations, numerical methods.

Assistant Professor or Instructor of Electrical Engineering Technology - (USA)

Institution:	University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Location:	Johnstown, PA
Category:	Faculty - Engineering - Electrical
Posted:	01/18/2011
Application Due:	02/21/2011
Type:	Full Time

Responsibilities include: teaching emphasis in areas of power, machines, controls and basic engineering sciences with a teaching load of four courses (lecture and laboratory) per term, professional development, academic advising, supervision of student design projects and university service. Candidate must have experience with some areas in power generation and distribution. Requirements include: Master's degree (Ph.D. preferred) in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology and a minimum of three years of relevant industrial experience are required. Professional registration and previous teaching experience are required.

Pitt-Johnstown is seeking energetic and creative faculty members for openings in many areas of our institution. These faculty positions feature competitive salaries and benefits packages. Job duties for all positions include a commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching, evidence of engagement in scholarly activities, and service to the university, students, and the surrounding communities. Please visit our website atwww.upj.pitt.edu/employment for further position details and complete application information. Review of all applications will begin on February 21, 2011 and continue until the positions are filled. All faculty positions will begin in late August 2011.

Introduction to Power Quality

One of the properties of electricity is that some of its characteristics depend not only on the electricity producer/distributor but also on the equipment manufacturers and the customer. The large number of players combined with the use of terminology and definitions which may sometimes be imprecise partly explain why this subject area is so complex.

This "Cahier Technique" aims to facilitate exchanges on this topic between specialists and non-specialists, as well as customers, manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors. The clear terminology used should help avoid confusion. It describes the main phenomena causing degradation in Power Quality (PQ), their origins, the consequences for equipment and the main solutions. It offers a methodology for measuring the PQ in accordance with differing aims. Illustrated with practical examples for the implementation of solutions, it shows that only by observing best practice and by applying strict methodology (diagnostics, research, solutions, implementation and preventive maintenance) can users obtain the right quality of power supply for their requirements.

DC & AC Electric Motors: Construction, Principles, Control and Protection

Nowadays, apart from lighting devices, electric motors represent the largest loads in industry and commercial installations. Their function, to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, means they are particularly significant in economic terms, and hence, they cannot be ignored by installation or machinery designers, installers or users.

There are many types of motor in existence, but 3-phase asynchronous motors, and in particular squirrel cage motors, are the most commonly used in industry and in commercial buildings applications above a certain power level. Moreover, although they are ideal for many applications when controlled by contactor devices, the increasing use of electronic equipment is widening their field of application. This is the case for start/stop control with soft start/soft stop units, and when precise speed adjustment is also necessary with variable speed drives/regulators.