Oct 24, 2010

PhD position: Sub-sea 20 MW Generator for Floating Darreius Wind Turbine, Aalborg University, Denmark

Position No.
14-10092

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Department of Energy Techonolgy a PhD stipend is available within the general study programme Energy Technology. The stipend is open for appointment from December 1, 2010.


Job description
Sub-sea 20 MW Generator for Floating Darreius Wind Turbine

The PhD position offered here forms a part of the general study programme “Energy Engineering” and forms part of the "DeepWind” project sponsored by The European Commission FP7 Framework Programme and Aalborg University, Department of Energy in the field of electrical machines.


The generic content of the DeepWind project is as follows:

The hypothesis of this project is that a new wind turbine concept developed specifically for offshore application has potentials for better cost efficiency than existing offshore technology. Based on this hypothesis the objectives are: i) to explore the technologies needed for development of a new and simple floating offshore concept with a vertical axis rotor and a floating and rotating foundation, ii) to develop calculation and design tools for development and evaluation of very large wind turbines based on this concept and iii) evaluation of the overall concept with floating offshore horizontal axis wind turbines.


DeepWind – Generator Concepts

The challenges of the generator are associated with the watertight generator design, and the special operation and conditions of the vertical-axis design. Because of the challenges of deep sea conditions, known technologies are critical and they need to be investigated and their capability determined. The low speed, high power feature of the Darrieus wind turbine rotor present special challenges that must be addressed. Specific challenges are: the mechanical power transfer, where also rotor thrust may be transferred; the mechanical geometry to be built into the turbine design; the electro-magnetic functional concept, cooling method, insulation concept, electrical power regulation and electrical coupling to the grid under the special deep sea conditions. A key challenge of the generator concept is that torque density must be improved to address the low speed, high power requirement. A further challenge is sealing of the shaft, where a concept for waterproof magnetic bearings, including magnetic functional concept, design, and cooling will be developed. The assumed control strategy provides generator control by means of a frequency converter between the generator and the grid. The frequency converter will be provided by a collaborative project at the Department of Energy. Voltage control and transfer of reactive power must be assessed. This will require collaboration with the DeepWind Turbine Control System work package. The generator will be developed using analytic studies, numerical simulations and laboratory tests. The results will be validated design tools for large scale generator solutions.

Some teaching activity will be required.

General conditions:

Applicants should posses a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and should have a sound background in physics and mathematics. Good simulation skills and a sharp interest in practical investigation are also required. A plus will be the familiarity of the candidate with wind power systems.
The successful applicant will interact with other doctoral students, faculty, researchers and technicians from industry, in a challenging environment. Candidates should be willing to and capable of working as part of the project research team, but should also be willing to and capable of carrying out independent, advanced, theoretical and practical research. He/she must have good communication skills and be fluent in English.


You may obtain further information from Associate Professor Ewen Ritchie , Department of Energy Technology, phone: 9940 9241 , email: aer@et.aau.dk concerning the technical aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Masters degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 18 of January 14, 2008 on the PhD Programme at the Universities. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed every six months. It is a prerequisite for continuation of salary payment that the previous progress is approved at the time of the evaluation.

The qualifications of the applicant will be assessed by an assessment committee. On the basis of the recommendation of the assessment committee, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science will make a decision for allocating the stipend.

For further information about stipends and salary contact Ms. Maj-Britt Trolle Ståhl, The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: mts@adm.aau.dk, phone: +45 9940 7582.

The faculty have a research school, The Doctoral School of Engineering, Science and Medicine: www.phd.ins.aau.dk and a Network for all PhD students: www.pau.aau.dk

Agreement
Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of October 1, 2008 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the Ministry of Finance Circular of June 13, 2007 on the employment structure at Danish Universities.

Deadline
01/11/2010

http://stillinger.aau.dk/index.php?list=1967

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