TenneTwin project in collaboration with TenneT TSO in The Netherlands aims to develop the digital twin foundation for the Dutch electricity transmission system by applying digitalization, unlocking an unprecedented level of transparency. This enables optimal operation, maintenance, upgrading, and expansion of the power grid to match with the government and TenneT Target Grid 2045 ambitions.

Within the TenneTwin project, TU Delft is hiring two doctoral candidates on the subject: "Developing Digital Twin Capabilities for the Dutch Electricity Transmission System". You will develop a digital twin of the Dutch power grid to better utilise the electricity transmission system, ensure system stability and resilience, and help transmission system operators and policymakers make informed decisions. The research questions answered in TenneTwin project are (1) how to model the TenneT power system to suit the needs of the digital twin, (2) how to determine the sufficient modelling details and verify the model accuracy, (3) how to tune the model parameters to continuously match them with present reality, and (4) how to detect the actual power grid state in sufficient details and update the digital twin model to run simulations and advanced grid analytics?

Tackling these scientific questions requires a multi-disciplinary approach combining knowledge in electrical power systems and information and communication technologies, and excellent software coding skills.

PhD-1 focuses on modelling, version control, and simulation. This includes:

1. Investigate modelling, simulation, and related data needs of the digital twin
2. Model and simulate various (cross-domain) systems that are part of the digital twin in an effective and comprehensive way, preferably using one solver engine for all
3. Develop mechanisms for the model initialisation, e.g., combined power system, communication, and market models, in different operating conditions

PhD-2 focuses on data sources, model adaptiveness and parameter tuning. This includes:

1. Investigate the systems’ data needs to suit the purpose of the digital twin for continuous mirroring
2. Develop mechanisms to detect and mirror actual systems’ conditions to their digital model counterparts
3. Develop mechanisms to fine-tune the digital model parameters based on actual systems' data
4. Explore cross-domain sub-system interactions and interdependencies through sensitivity analysis using simulations

We offer four-year PhD appointments, with an anticipated start date in November 2024.

You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids, in Electrical Sustainable Energy (ESE) Department, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science at TU Delft.

The active participation of TenneT in the TenneTwin project includes industrial supervision of the PhD researchers and facilitating that 80% of the research will be conducted at TenneT’s premises in Arnhem.

About the department

The research in ESE Department is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies

IEPG group, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system. The goal is to generate, transmit and use electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way.

Essential job requirements:

• Demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, and specifically the interface between power systems and information and communication technologies.
• Completed a Master's and Bachelor’s degree in a highly quantitative and analytical discipline (electrical engineering with an emphasis on power systems, applied mathematics, and/or computer science).
• Excellent academic record (grades of B or higher).
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Very good command of English. The minimum requirement of a TOEFL overall band score of 100 (with scores of at least 21 for all sections) or IELTS overall band score of 7.0 (with scores of at least 6.5 for all sections: writing, reading, listening, speaking) applies to all candidates wanting to pursue a PhD at TU Delft.
• Ability to read and critically analyse power systems / computer science / mathematics papers.
• Strong knowledge of power system modelling, operation, stability and control.
• Strong knowledge of mathematics including differential algebraic equations, discrete systems, and probability theory and statistics.
• You enjoy performing research. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• You are keen to work with industry partners to link real-world challenges to fundamental research questions.
• Demonstrable experience with computer modelling and simulation.
• You enjoy programming and hold your code to a high standard.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of information and communication technologies.
• Experience with Python programming.
• Experience with collaborative software development (e.g. open source).

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years (1.5 years + 2.5 extension based on performance and results).

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

The TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organize events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.