Graduate Scholarship

FIGURE – Flexible and Intelligent Grids for Intensive Use of Renewable Energy Sources

(Ref. FIGURE _2012-02)

Project FIGURE – Flexible and Intelligent Grids for Intensive Use of Renewable Energy Sources (PTDC/SEN-ENR/099844/2008) is recruiting 1 young researcher, graduated in Electrical Engineering or similar, willing to work in the area of Power Systems, for a Research Grant for BSc owners (Licenciados). This call concerns research activity in the area of intelligent resource management considering intensive use of renewable energy sources. This project is funded by Portuguese funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) and co-funded by “Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional” (FEDER) through COMPETE – “Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade” (POFC).

1.    SCIENTIFIC AREA

Engineering / Electrical engineering

2.    ACADEMIC DEGREE

Graduation (BSc/Licenciatura) in Electrical engineering

3.    DURATION AND TYPE OF CONTRACT

From 1 May 2012 until 31 October 2012 (06 months duration, eventually to be renewed for periods of 06 months, till the end of the Project).

4.    JOB SUMMARY / WORKPLAN

The main goal is to undertake research work in the area of intelligent resource management considering intensive use of renewable energy sources.

FIGURE addresses resources optimization including Distributed Generation (DG), both from Distribution Network Operators and from generators and consumers point of view. FIGURE proposes a new approach to this problem modeling and using the dynamic commercial relationships (made possible by successive opportunities for auctions and bi-lateral contracts) among players for possible upgrade of optima solution. Several methods are used, with emphasis on Genetic Algorithms, Swarm intelligence and Benders decomposition as these have previously allowed us to obtain good results. Optimization considers the available resources (network, generation, loads and storage) and their use permission (according to regulations, ownership, bi-lateral contracts and auctions). Uncertainty is an inherent data characteristic namely for demand and DG, addressed with fuzzy based methods.

Loads are important resources for optimization as Demand response (DR) helps coping with technical constraints (e.g. demand reductions, during peaks). This gives consumers an active role involving important decisions. FIGURE proposes a framework for supporting these decisions, considering player aggregation. Aggregators put together several players resulting in Virtual Players (VP) that can manage aggregated resources in a much more flexible and intelligent way than individual players. FIGURE extends the previously proposed framework for Virtual Power Producers (VPP) to include storage, consumers and loads of several types, namely Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). This framework will support and implement VP participation in PS and EM.

Existing remuneration and tariffs methods are not complete and powerful enough for a competitive environment where even consumers can take strategic decisions. FIGURE will develop alternative methods to remunerate the services related with DG and DR provided by each player. These methods are flexible enough so that PS can use all the available resources and commercially adequate for a competitive market.

Presently PS do not take advantage of DG in case of incident as DG is obliged to come out of service due to security problems. These should change in the future and there are already advances to overcome these problems. This shows the need of adequate methodologies to decision making concerning the use of DG and DR in incident situations, including the possibility of intentional islanded operation; FIGURE contributes with a Decision-Support System (DSS) for this purpose.  

The candidate to be selected will undertake the following tasks, considering the above described project activities:

- Development and implementation of methods for remuneration and tariffs, considering the involved costs and adequate business models;

- Development and implementation of methods for grid connected and islanded operation of microgrids, namely involving:

- Development and implementation of a framework to support considering permission to use other players’ resources in decision-making

- Development and implementation of a methodology to determine feasible island sets

- Determination of the optimal solution to face each situation considering the available resources (including DG, storage and DR to which the player has access)

- Development of a decision-support system (DSS) encapsulating the implemented methodologies and providing users with an adequate interface, able to support an intelligent interaction, namely in terms of: data feeding, result analysis and interactive solution refinement

The main result is a conceptual and technological framework that allows considering physical and contractual restrictions in the decision process concerning power systems planning and operation, including incident situations.

- Upgrade of previously developed models, methodologies and applications;

- Design, implementation, test, and use of the models and methodologies proposed in the scope of the project;

- Preparation of case-studies and result analysis;

- Technical reports and scientific papers preparation and writing.

5.    LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

Law no. 40/2004 (August.18.2004 – “Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação Científica”); Regulation no. 405/2010, May.6.2010 (published in “Diário da República” no. 88, II Serie, 06.May.2010) – “Regulamento de Bolsas de Formação Avançada do ISEP”; “Regulamento da Formação Avançada e Qualificação de Recursos Humanos 2010” (Published by FCT).

6.    SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISION AND WORKPLACE

The candidate to be selected will be scientifically supervised by Professor Zita Vale.

7.    REMUNERATION

As defined by FCT (€ 745.00/month), according to the table of stipends of the country (available in http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores).

8.    SELECTION METHODS AND SELECTION PANEL

Only candidates that have presented the complete set of application documents and showing evidence of having the required minimum profile required will be admitted. The selection method will take into account the following components: graduation classification (50%) and the curriculum vitae evaluation (50%). In case of doubts, an interview can be undertaken; in this case it will be conducted in English.

The Selection Panel will be chaired by Professor Zita Maria Almeida do Vale, Coordinating Professor with Aggregation at the Institute of Engineering of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ISEP/IPP) and Director of GECAD, Professor Maria Goreti Carvalho Marreiros, Adjunct Professor at ISEP/IPP and sub-director of GECAD, and Professor Isabel Cecília Correia Silva Praça Gomes Pereira, Adjunct Professor at ISEP/IPP.

9.    ANNOUNCEMENT DIFFUSION AND NOTIFICATION MEANS

The announcement of the Research Fellowship will be published at Eracareers’ website and ISEP’s website.

Final evaluation results, namely the candidate list, ordered by candidate evaluation, will be made public, in printed form, in GECAD. The candidates will be individually notified by email message.

10.  APLICATION

- Minimum profile required: Solid background on power systems operation at the HV and MV levels. Software use and development skills. Writing and speaking proficiency in English.   

 - Preferred profile: Previous work experience in research activities in the area of power systems and heuristic optimization. Good skills concerning the use of relevant software applications (e.g. optimization and power systems simulation packages), programming skills and experience in computer applications development.

11.  APPLICATION DOCUMENTS AND PERIOD

The application period will take place from 28 March 2012 until 10 April 2012.

The application documents are the following:

- Curriculum Vitae; graduation diploma; document with courses marks; copy of any previously published works that are relevant for the application evaluation. An application letter with the fellowship reference (FIGURE_2012-02) should be included, indicating clearly the motivation of the application and the full contact information (as minimum: email address, mobile phone number, postal address) of the candidate. All the documents prepared by the candidate for the application should be written in English. Documents should be sent to zav@isep.ipp.pt.

Additionally, they should also be sent to the following address:

GECAD

Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto

Professor Zita Vale

Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431

4200-072 Porto

Portugal