Summer Project Scholarships for 2024-2025

The Future Architecture of the Network (FAN) programme has summer project scholarships on offer for Electrical Engineering students at University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology. 
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Please see below summary list. Please follow links to find more detailed project descriptions and specific requirements: 
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You must work for 10 weeks (400 hours) over the period November 2024 to February 2025. 

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter, letting us know which projects you are interested in to [email protected].

Students will be informed if their application is successful. 

Opportunities for Industry

Check out our opportunities for collaborative research with industry.

International Internships and Short Projects

Check out our opportunities for international student internships in Christchurch - 3 or 6 months, post- or undergraduate.

Postdoctoral Fellows based in Auckland or Christchurch

Current vacancies will be advertised here.

PhD or Masters Students Based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch

​WS1-WS3-WS4 - PHD PROJECT 1 - Open
MODELLING CONVERTER INTERACTIONS FOR LARGE-SCALE AC/DC HYBRID INFRASTRUCTURE STUDIES 
This project is focussed on Workstream 1, 3, and 4 to develop digital models encompassing larger-scale DC grids interface with AC grids, converter topology and control, and enable proliferation of DC grids within AC grids by addressing the need for transition.   

The interaction between AC/DC converters and the power grid is a complex phenomenon, particularly in the harmonic levels. Harmonics, non-sinusoidal components of the power waveform, can significantly impact the performance and stability of both the grid and connected equipment. This PhD project aims to develop advanced models and methodologies for analysing harmonic levels and interactions in AC/DC converters, suitable for large-scale power system studies.

Objectives
  1. Develop a comprehensive framework for modelling and analysing harmonic distortion in AC/DC converters, considering various factors such as converter topology, control strategies, and grid characteristics. 
  2. Investigate the interactions between AC/DC converters and the power grid, focusing on harmonic propagation, resonance phenomena, and their impact on system stability. 
  3. Develop novel modelling techniques such as frequency-lifted representations to analyse harmonic levels and interactions of AC/DC converters suitable for large-scale AC/DC power network studies. 
  4. Validate the developed models and methodologies through simulations and experimental studies on representative AC/DC converter systems. 
  5. Apply the proposed framework to large-scale power system studies, assessing the impact of harmonic distortion on system performance and identifying potential vulnerabilities.

Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): 
  • A good background knowledge on power converter interactions, small-signal modelling, and power electronics is essential. 
  • Ability to work with simulation tools such as PSCAD and practical environments is also required.  

Based at Victoria University of Wellington
Published September 2024
​WS2 - PHD PROJECT 1 - Open
DESIGN OPTIONS FOR FUTURE HYBRID LOW VOLTAGE AC-DC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
This project is focussed around WS 2-Topology, where AC topologies means the way things are connected to form a functional circuit, presently used worldwide have been developed and refined over many years. The overall WS2 objective is to explore realistic new DC and AC/DC circuit topologies for future power system networks. 

As the number of DC loads, e.g. datacentres, smart phones, laptops, LED lights etc., are growing in our daily uses, the low voltage DC (LVDC) distribution system is becoming important. Power supplied through the low voltage AC (LVAC) distribution system needs both the AC/DC rectifier and the DC/DC converter to supply the DC loads. In comparison, LVDC system would only need the DC/DC converter to supply the DC loads. Integration of renewable energy sources at LV level, like rooftop photovoltaic (PV), fuel cells, etc. would be relatively easier with the LVDC system than the LVAC. So, the LVDC can be the viable solution to reduce multiple conversion losses in the system.
This project will investigate comparison between the existing LVAC architecture with the prospective LVDC distribution system in terms of converter conversion efficiency. Simulation will be performed for combined AC and DC loads, towards a hybrid AC-DC distribution system, with potential dedicated DC bus. The associated challenges, architecture design, implementation issues and design guidelines would be analytically investigated, along with experimental validation.
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Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): 
  • Qualifications and experience required a four year honours degree (if from New Zealand)  or Master’s degree (if international) - with first class or an upper-second) in electrical engineering with a minimum GPA of 6.0
  • A track record or deep interest in building and assessing high current, DC-DC and AC-DC converters will be preferable.
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​Based at University of Auckland
​Published May 2021
​WS3 - PHD PROJECT 1 - Open
Development of supercapacitor assisted disaster-resilient high power converters for DC Homes and DC microgrids
This project is focussed on WS3 (Converters & Enabling Technologies), which will enable proliferation of DC grids within AC grids by utilising non- traditional energy storage systems for different forms of power electronic converters.

This project will focus on developing supercapacitor assisted converters, with the ultimate-aim of demonstrating how batteries could be eliminated within AC-DC mixed grid environments, catering for fluctuations of renewable energy sources.   In this project utilisation of wideband gap semiconductors for low-frequency SCA converters will also be investigated.     
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Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): 
  • A sound knowledge of analogue and power electronics fundamentals, as applicable to the new area of SCA converters, and the SCA loss management concepts.
  • A proven track-record of power electronic prototype building capability, from concept to implementation. 
  • Ability to develop laboratory measurement techniques useful for assessing and confirming performance specifications of SCA converters, and testing their protection capabilities to overcome power quality issues. 
Qualifications and experience required
  • A four year honours degree (with first class or an upper-second) in engineering, or science
  • A proven track record of developing and building power electronic converters and/or analogue and mixed signal electronic circuits 
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Based at The University of Waikato (Hamilton)
​Published April 2024
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