R&D engineer on HVDC systems and AC/DC grid stability W/M

General context

Integration of large amount of renewable energy sources (RES) (e.g., offshore wind, PV) and energy market integration are two of the main drivers for the future development of the pan-European power grid. This will require a reinforcement of the transmission grid to make it able to transport large amount of power over long distances from generation areas to load areas. Extended High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grids, in Point to point or Multi-Terminal (MTDC) configuration covering large areas and distances, are considered to be the preferable solution for the reinforcement of the grid. Indeed, it has been understood that MTDC grids based on voltage source converter (VSC) technology are a key development for harnessing the offshore wind production potential of the North Seas. Those systems will be evolving from simple point to point and radial structures to complex meshed ones. To achieve their development, it is necessary to enhance their operating procedures with major challenges in control and protection, while considering the interaction with AC grid. Developing such HVDC systems together with the massive integration of RES, will result in a power system with more and more Power Electronics Interfaced Devices (PEIDs), Consequently, we will have to deal with significant impact on the integrated AC/DC transmission system characteristics (e.g., reduction of the system inertia) and behaviour.

Objectives / Missions

The objective focuses on the development of control and protection strategies for MTDC (HVDC) grids as well as the stability analysis of AC/DC grids. Within a multidisciplinary team, the selected candidate will participate to European projects in which SuperGrid institute is involved. He may be also involved in other collaborative projects and in the meantime in grid consulting activities of the institute. The proposed work is structured around the following main topics:

HVDC/MTDC grids control and protection

This subject addresses the development of MTDC grid controls, their stability analysis, as well as the identification of the different control modes aiming to manage the MTDC system different operating states.

The selected candidate will contribute to the modelling and control of MMC converters allowing the simulation of complex MTDC grids and their different operating states. Skills on modelling of MMC converters for their integration on MTDC grids for simulation purposes are necessary to succeed in this first subject.

AC/DC stability analysis of power network with embedded HVDC/MTDC grids

This second topic focusses on the modelling, stability analysis and control of HVAC/HVDC transmission grids with high integration of power electronics devices. In the presence of high share of renewable energy, the control strategies of the power converters will have high impact on the stability of the whole AC/DC system.

The candidate will participate in the modelling and analysis of the AC/DC power system and in the proposition of control solutions of the HVDC grids aiming to enhance the whole system stability. Skills on modelling, control and simulation in EMT/dynamic phasor as well as large/small signal stability analysis tools such as frequency-domain analysis and state space representation are necessary in this second topic.

Master 2 or PhD degree, with an experience in the field of power grid modelling, simulation, and control. Focus on HVDC systems and/or wind farms will be appreciated.

Technical skills:

• Power system engineering

• Power network modelling and simulation tools

• System stability analysis, small signal modelling and analysis

• State space representation and frequency domain analysis

• HVDC systems modelling, control, and stability

• Wind farms/wind turbines modelling, operation, and control

• Simulation tools: EMTP and/or PSCAD, Power factory and/or PSSE, Matlab/Simulink, Python

Soft skills:

• Good command of English language

• Teamwork

• Good communication skills

• Organizational skills

What we can offer:

• You will be joining an institute dedicated to the energy transition, a promising and stimulating field of activity,

• Company restaurant (participation in meal expenses),

• A teleworking charter (1 day per week and 20 occasional days),

• Activities between colleagues within the company (football, running, choir, etc.),

• CSE, health insurance, life and disability insurance,

• Profit-sharing bonus,

• 5 weeks paid holiday and 12 additional day's rest,

• Self-service bicycles.

Other information

When you join SuperGrid Institute, you'll be part of a dynamic working environment. At SuperGrid Institute, we respect and value the diversity of our employees, their backgrounds and experiences, with the aim of providing equal opportunities for all.

Diversity is at the heart of our operations, and we are committed to banning all discrimination from our human resources management. SuperGrid Institute makes all its positions accessible to people with disabilities and is committed, as part of its action plan for professional equality, to paying particular attention to applications from women in order to achieve a balanced overall distribution of the workforce