Electromagnetic Design of an Integrated Booster Pump for Hydropower Pumped Storage

About the position

The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a three-years position as a PhD Research fellow at the Department of Electric Power Engineering. The described PhD is part of the research within the Norwegian Centre for Hydropower Technology (HydroCen).

About the Norwegian Centre for Hydropower Technology (HydroCen):

HydroCen is a Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). The FME scheme is established by the Norwegian Research Council. The objective of the Research Council of Norway FME-scheme is to establish time-limited research centers conducting concentrated, focused and long-term research of high international caliber to solve specific challenges in the field. The FME-centers can be established for a maximum period of eight years.

The main objective of HydroCen is to enable the Norwegian hydropower sector to meet complex challenges and exploit new opportunities through innovative technological solutions. The research areas includes: hydropower structures, turbine and generators, market and services, and environmental design. NTNU is the host institution and main research partner together with SINTEF Energy Research and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

The position reports to the head of the Department.

Main duties and responsibilities

Norway has 50% of Europe’s hydropower reservoir capacity. Much of this capacity is in relation to reservoirs and/or large lakes on both sides of an existing power plant. Of these, NVE (NVE rapport: "Pumpekraft I Noreg", 2011) has found that there are 86 power plants which currently has installed more than 20MW and has a lower reservoir that is either lake or regulated reservoir. Currently, 10800MW of conventional hydropower is installed at these locations. Many of these locations (and more) are candidates for installation of pumped storage power capabilities, which would drastically increase the total installed power at these locations and in the energy system.

Using existing infrastructure and expanding the powerhouse caverns horizontally whit several more units would be a cost-effective way of doing this. However, pumping requires a bigger submergence than conventional hydropower and for this reason; the existing power plant cannot be used for such an expansion because they will be insufficiently submerged to avoid cavitation because the pressure becomes too low. In this project the goal is to develop a new booster pump technology for providing the necessary pressure increase, so that all existing power plant infrastructure can be reused for an expansion with pumping capabilities.

This would give large cost savings, possibly shifting the installation of pumping capabilities from a bad to a good investment. At the same time, the current state-of-the-art Reversible Pump Turbines (RPT) are equipped with variable speed capabilities due to increased efficiency and control of the pumping power. This technology is expensive and requires a lot of space. The new booster pump technology will make possible all the hydraulic benefits of using variable speed technology, without having to install variable speed technology.

In this PhD study an electric machine to be used to propel the novel booster pump is to be designed. Initially, in cooperation with turbine designers, the focus is on conceptual design to clarify if an integrated electrical-mechanical interface is beneficial. If not, a modular solution may be used. It is assumed that a compact Permanent Magnet machine can be used. The electrical machine must be able to run at a variable speed/power to produce a varying boosting lift. Furthermore, in long intervals the booster pump will also be used in power generation mode in series with the main turbine. In this generator mode the electric machine must provide a variable power delivery depending on optimal conditions for the whole system.

The PhD student is expected to be able to build a numerical model of the electrical machine which will be used to estimate overall performance, efficiency, weight and cost. A scaled model/prototype is expected to be built in cooperation with the turbine designers and external partners.

Qualification requirements

PhD candidate:

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The applicant must hold a M.Sc. degree in Electrical Power Engineering. Knowledge and experience in electrical machinery, FEM-analysis and laboratory experience is beneficial. High motivation and good analytical and communication skills will be emphasized in the employment process.

Applicants are required to submit a 1-2 pages research proposal within the described research area.

The ability to work in a team and good communication skills will be emphasized in the employment process.

Applicants must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. If your first language is not English, the following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge

Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Salary and conditions

PhD candidate:

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 449 400 per annum. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The employment contract is for three years; however, there is a possibility for extension up to four years if selected for assistantship.

Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Electrical Power Engineering. Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD students at NTNU. See https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd for information about PhD studies at NTNU.

As a PhD candidate, you will have to successfully complete the PhD academic training programme; the training includes mandatory course work and other obligatory activities. Within the first three months of your employment, you must formally qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Arne Nysveen, arne.nysveen@ntnu.no or Professor Robert Nilssen: Robert.nilssen@ntnu.no

About the application:

Applications are to be submitted electronically through this page (http://www.jobbnorge.no).

The application should contain (all in one combined PDF file):

• A project description (1-2 pages).
• CV.
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grading system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree.
• Publications relevant to the research scope and any other work which the applicant wishes to be taken into account should clearly state the applicant’s contribution. A short summary should be attached outlining the applicant’s input to joint work.
• Names and contact information of at least two references.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Application deadline: June 6, 2019

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electric Power Engineering

Our department is Norway’s leading university environment in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other academic environments internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance to society, while we meet industrial needs and address global challenges at the same time. The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

Deadline 6th June 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim Steinkjer Namsos Hemne Snillfjord Hitra Frøya Ørland Agdenes Bjugn Åfjord Roan Osen Oppdal Rennebu Meldal Orkdal Røros Holtålen Midtre Gauldal View all
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim