Project proposal

Adaptive Model Predictive Control – Energy Flexible Operation of Residential Buildings

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) represents academic eminence in technology and the natural sciences as well as in other academic disciplines ranging from the social sciences, the arts, medicine, teacher education, architecture to fine art. Cross-disciplinary cooperation results in innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions with far-reaching social and economic impact.

We are looking for a Postdoc/Expereinced Reseracher candidate interested in applying for an MSCA Individual Fellowship at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) on “adaptive Model Predictive Control (MPC) to enable the energy flexible operation of residential buildings”. The research will be performed with the sustainable energy systems (SES) group at EPT. The research group has a strong experience in heating, cooling and ventilation systems in buildings, including building energy flexibility, user behavior and the physical-based modeling of buildings using building performance simulation (BPS).  The research group is strongly involved in the Norwegian research center on Zero Emission Neighborhoods (ZEN) where energy flexibility is a central research topic (https://fmezen.no/).

About the position

The building energy flexibility is the ability of a building to adapt its energy use as a function of an external signal, typically to offer services to the electricity grid. Regarding the heating system, energy can be stored in the building in order to adapt the time profile of the energy delivered to the building (typically electricity or district heating). It is acknowledged that MPC is required in order to operate the building both in an energy flexible and an energy efficient way. While MPC has been successfully applied to commercial buildings, such as office buildings, the implementation of MPC to residential buildings face two major challenges. Firstly, the control model required by the MPC should be identified at low cost, ideally without the supervision of highly-skilled control engineer. The control model should be identified using self-learning algorithms and continuously adapted to changing operating conditions. Secondly, the desired thermal comfort (which represent the constraints of the MPC) is more complex in residential buildings. It can vary significantly between occupants and many occupants often have different expectations for different rooms in the building (ex. living room and bedrooms). Consequently, MPC should be able to adapt to, and satisfy, the different user expectations. In addition, the control model and the resulting MPC should consider several thermal zones in the building (i.e. multi-zone model).   

The main supervisor will be Associate Professor Laurent Georges.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Development of self-learning adaptive control models for multi-zone MPC
• Compare the performance of different modelling techniques using a benchmark, in terms of accuracy, extrapolation capabilities, robustness, complexity, etc.
• Test the energy flexible operation using the resulting MPC in a Living Laboratory, meaning a real occupied building with a high level of instrumentation.

Qualification requirements

Eligibility criteria

• The researcher must, at the date of the MSCA-IF call deadline, possess a PhD Degree and/or an equivalent on minimum four years´ full-time research experience.
• The researcher must, at the date of the MSCA-IF call deadline not have conducted his/her main activity in the country of the beneficiary (Norway) for more than 12 of the last 36 months.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language.

Other qualifications

• Previous experience in data-driven models or machine learning
• Previous experience in model predictive control (MPC) or adaptive control
• Previous experience (or willingness to work) with the buildings
• Excellent in scientific writing.

Personal characteristics

• Interest in fundamental and multi-disciplinary research
• Strong analytical and organization skills
• Good collaboration and communication skills

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, selection will be conducted by the supervisor. Emphasis will be placed upon the academic accordance with the supervisor and the project proposal.

We offer

• A designated supervisor with whom to prepare an application for the MSCA-IF call
• A two-day symposium with showcasing of expertise and best practices on how to apply to MSCA-IF
• A follow-up day with the supervisor and possible individual guidance by experts on MSCA-IF
• Administrative support up to the call deadline
• Travel and accommodation from the 13-15th of May 2020 will be covered by NTNU

Conditions

Appointment as post doc up to a maximum of 24 months at NTNU rests on the prerequisite of an approved application to the MSCA-IF call with deadline 9 September 2020. Feedback on said applications is expected early 2021.

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 call can be directed to: msca@horizon.ntnu.no or andreas.mollerlokken@ntnu.no

Questions about the position can be directed to Laurent Georges, phone number (+47) 73592484, or by email at laurent.georges@ntnu.no

About the application:

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, cover letter, diplomas and certificates that highlight the alignment of your application. In addition, the applicant myst describe a research project that will strengthen and complement the presented research (max 2 pages).

Please refer to the application number IV/05 when applying.

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Application deadline: 09.03.2020

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 Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 9th March 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Project
Place of service NTNU Trondheim