Applications are invited for a Temporary 2 year post of a Senior Power Systems Researcher within School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

We are seeking to hire a Senior Power Systems Researcher to join as a member of the research team to focus on the development of individual network component models and parameters, power network models, and the development of network equivalencing techniques to obtain reduced network models (for inclusion within Spine Toolbox), with a lower computational burden, but comparable results to the original system.

The complexity of the reduced system will be user adjustable to reflect studies performed on the European wide power system, or individual regions / countries, and/or industrial networks. Network expansion measures will require new equivalents to be determined. Different AC/DC power flow formulations will be formulated, while including the option for distribution network induced constraints, and aiming to balance computational run times against model accuracy. The ability to assess electrical grid resiliency to correlated critical events will also be implemented. The post forms part of a multi-partner project based on existing state-of-the-art tools including SpineOpt and Spine Toolbox.

SpineOpt is a comprehensive open-source energy system optimisation tool for medium to long-term grid and system planning, while Spine Toolbox offers extensive capabilities for data, scenario and workflow management relevant for energy system modelling. The advanced capabilities will be demonstrated through an industrial case (with detailed sector-specific physics) and Pan-European case (resilient pathways). The overall tool will include 1) component tools to produce all necessary energy system data; 2) system tool to manage data, scenarios and modelling workflows, to visualise data and to maintain datasets in multi-user environment without losing track of changes; 3) planning tool to optimise all energy sectors in detail, including sector specific physics and highly flexible representation of temporal, spatial and technological aspects.

External to Spine, a multi-year, stochastic planning optimisation tool will also be developed that selects passive and active network measures to minimise investment costs, renewables curtailment, etc. as part of long-term network planning. Demand and generation opportunities will be identified at transmission / distribution network nodes in conjunction with new technology options to maximise utilisation of the (future) power system network infrastructure. System service product designs will be proposed and analysed to encourage the provision of congestion-relieving capability. A wide range of skills and expertise is therefore essential: modelling of power networks, network analysis, power system operation & control, optimisation and stochastic methods, strong programming and simulation skills, cost benefit analysis, etc.

The post is funded by the EU Horizon Europe Mopo (Comprehensive, fast, user-friendly and thoroughly validated open-source energy system planning framework) project, and the SFI NexSys (Next Generation Energy Systems) project, which is a strategic research partnership aimed at decarbonising the Irish energy sector. The successful applicant will work closely with other full-time researchers at UCD on both projects. The post duration is initially of 2 years duration, with the potential to be extended by up to one further year, subject to SFI (research body funder) confirmation.

Salary Range: 45,000 - 55,000 per annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 29th of March 2023.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/.