PhD student position in integrated regional energy planning for islands. Campus Gotland - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University is one of the largest and scientifically broadest Earth Science Department in Sweden and includes research programmes in Mineralogy, petrology and tectonics, Geophysics, Palaeobiology, Hydrogeology, Meteorology and Natural resource science. For more information see: www.geo.uu.se. 

Project description: 

Geographical islands suffer from several barriers in the traditional electrical energy grid model. They are highly dependent on the mainland energy market, while the transmission of energy is costly and inefficient. This affects energy security and increases the energy costs. In addition, many islands have significant population fluctuations, between the tourist and non-tourist season resulting in highly variable energy load profiles.

The aim of this PhD project is to develop a methodological framework to optimize the potential of the large-scale deployment of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and storage assets on geographical islands to bring economic benefits, contribute to the decarbonisation of local energy systems, reduce GHG emissions and improve environmental air quality and energy security.

To do so, this PhD will deliver a methodology for optimum planning of RES and storage enabled infrastructures, supporting a holistic cooperative energy management strategy at the community level. It will combine a best possible control of community owned energy assets, both conventional and renewable, with cooperative demand side actions, to maximally exploit the flexibility of energy demand.

The planning will leverage state-of-the-art RES assessment tools combined with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods for integrated regional energy development to deliver optimal selection and dimensioning of RES/storage technologies. Economic, environmental, social, technological constraints and evaluation criteria will be simultaneously assessed to rank feasible RES deployment configurations.

Duties:

As a PhD student in integrated regional energy planning, you participate in a research group that focuses on the systematic assessment and planning of suitable RES/storage-based infrastructures, while considering the existing economic, energy, societal and technology assets. This will consider assessment of RES potential, design and sizing of RES based systems and their life cycle evaluation in terms of techno-economic aspects and environmental impact via MCDA. The project also focuses on further development of demand side management programs that will provide a better understanding of the user context and how to improve the user involvement, while also shaping the underlying energy demand response strategy. In addition to the work on research projects and graduate courses, you will participate in other activities within the section of Wind Energy, Campus Gotland. These may consist of teaching and/or administrative work, maximum 20% of a full time position. Please note that the position is located at Campus Gotland.

Requirements:

The applicant should have an academic (BSc) degree in energy or economic studies, engineering and/or environmental science and a master (MSc) degree in renewable energy projects' management. Knowledge in applied mathematics is required alongside experience in regional energy planning and policy. Desirable Experience in use of MCDA tools and their applications in energy and environmental decision problems is meritorious. We also prefer that the applicant has an academic and/or industrial experience in renewable energy planning and policy'.

Application: 

The application should include a letter describing the applicant and his or her qualifications. It should also include CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis and publications. We encourage you to provide details of referees and/or attach a letter of recommendation.

Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: January 1 2019 or as agreed upon. Temporary full-time position ending December 31 2022.

For further information about the position please contact:

Heracles Polatidis at +46 498 108373; E-mail: heracles.polatidis@geo.uu.se

Please submit your application by November 30 2018, UFV-PA 2018/4019.

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If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.