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Research Team members
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Opportunities for Industry
International Internships and Short Project opportunities
Check out our opportunities for international student internships in Christchurch - 3 or 6 months, post- or undergraduate
New Masters opportunities
The FAN team are looking for enthusiastic postgraduates to join us for three Masters' projects.
Check them out here
Postdoctoral fellows based either in Auckland or Christchurch
No current vacancies
No current vacancies
PhD or Masters students based either in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch
- Check the available projects below and identify one (or more)
- Check the FAN Postgraduate generic position advert - common for all projects listed below.
- All New Zealand Universities have English requirements for postgraduate studies: please check their website:
- From 21 May 2021, applications by email will not be considered anymore. Please fill in this application online form as indicated in the generic advert.
WS1 - Phd project 3 - Open
Mathematical & computation techniques to enable hybrid network transient and fault analysis
Mathematical & computation techniques to enable hybrid network transient and fault analysis
Published April 2022
This project is focused on Workstream 1 (WS1) - Network Architecture, which will assess the impact of high penetration of DC on AC systems. The overall WS1 objective is to develop techniques to create large-scale hybrid AC/DC grid digital model encompassing transmission and distribution systems and enabling operational steady-state, dynamic and transient studies associated with distributed converter interfaced technologies.
This PhD project will address the challenges associated with modelling hybrid AC/DC networks for the purposes of transient and fault analysis. The research will address the required detail in modelling of the system including converter and controls to mimic the behaviour of the converter and interaction with the system accurately. This will lead to the development of a tool enabling transient and fault analysis of large scale hybrid systems.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): A good knowledge on applicable mathematical analysis methods
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
This project is focused on Workstream 1 (WS1) - Network Architecture, which will assess the impact of high penetration of DC on AC systems. The overall WS1 objective is to develop techniques to create large-scale hybrid AC/DC grid digital model encompassing transmission and distribution systems and enabling operational steady-state, dynamic and transient studies associated with distributed converter interfaced technologies.
This PhD project will address the challenges associated with modelling hybrid AC/DC networks for the purposes of transient and fault analysis. The research will address the required detail in modelling of the system including converter and controls to mimic the behaviour of the converter and interaction with the system accurately. This will lead to the development of a tool enabling transient and fault analysis of large scale hybrid systems.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): A good knowledge on applicable mathematical analysis methods
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
WS1 - Phd project 4 - Open
Mathematical & computation techniques to enable hybrid network dynamic analysis
Mathematical & computation techniques to enable hybrid network dynamic analysis
Published April 2022
This project is focused on Workstream 1 (WS1) - Network Architecture, which will assess the impact of high penetration of DC on AC systems. The overall WS1 objective is to develop techniques to create large-scale hybrid AC/DC grid digital model encompassing transmission and distribution systems and enabling operational steady-state, dynamic and transient studies associated with distributed converter interfaced technologies.
This PhD project will address the challenges associated with modelling hybrid AC/DC networks for the purposes of dynamic analysis. The research will address the required detail in modelling of the system including converter and controls to mimic the behaviour of the converter and interaction with the system accurately. This will lead to the development of a tool enabling dynamic analysis of large scale hybrid systems.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): A good knowledge on applicable mathematical analysis methods
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
This project is focused on Workstream 1 (WS1) - Network Architecture, which will assess the impact of high penetration of DC on AC systems. The overall WS1 objective is to develop techniques to create large-scale hybrid AC/DC grid digital model encompassing transmission and distribution systems and enabling operational steady-state, dynamic and transient studies associated with distributed converter interfaced technologies.
This PhD project will address the challenges associated with modelling hybrid AC/DC networks for the purposes of dynamic analysis. The research will address the required detail in modelling of the system including converter and controls to mimic the behaviour of the converter and interaction with the system accurately. This will lead to the development of a tool enabling dynamic analysis of large scale hybrid systems.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): A good knowledge on applicable mathematical analysis methods
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
WS2 - PHD PROJECT 1 - Open
DESIGN OPTIONS FOR FUTURE HYBRID LOW VOLTAGE AC-DC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
DESIGN OPTIONS FOR FUTURE HYBRID LOW VOLTAGE AC-DC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Published May 2021
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.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert):
Based at University of Auckland
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.
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.
Based at University of Auckland
WS2 (& WS4) - Masters project 1 - OPEN
Investigation of a hybrid three terminal scheme – a VSC tap in Canterbury on the NZ HVDC link
Investigation of a hybrid three terminal scheme – a VSC tap in Canterbury on the NZ HVDC link
Published April 2021
This project is focussed on WS2 (Topology) and WS4 (Transition from AC to DC), which will assess circuit topologies and extension to the application of existing infrastructure respectively.
A 1400MW Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC Bipole link connects the North and South Island transmission networks. The power transfer is limited to 1000MW in balanced bipole mode by the Pole 2 cable capacity and 1200MW in unbalanced bipole mode. In addition to the priority activity of HVDC capability upgrade, amongst other solutions the Transpower’s 2018 Transmission Planning Report considers an HVDC tap-off from the existing HVDC line north of Christchurch to meet the forecast upper South Island loads beyond the planning horizon (2033).
Through simulation studies this Masters research project will assess the possibility of a Voltage Sourced Converter technology based tap on the existing LCC HVDC scheme. The research will address the operational challenges of such a topology in the New Zealand context and propose a circuit solution including special control and protection functions to ensure stable operation of such a topology.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): none
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
This project is focussed on WS2 (Topology) and WS4 (Transition from AC to DC), which will assess circuit topologies and extension to the application of existing infrastructure respectively.
A 1400MW Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC Bipole link connects the North and South Island transmission networks. The power transfer is limited to 1000MW in balanced bipole mode by the Pole 2 cable capacity and 1200MW in unbalanced bipole mode. In addition to the priority activity of HVDC capability upgrade, amongst other solutions the Transpower’s 2018 Transmission Planning Report considers an HVDC tap-off from the existing HVDC line north of Christchurch to meet the forecast upper South Island loads beyond the planning horizon (2033).
Through simulation studies this Masters research project will assess the possibility of a Voltage Sourced Converter technology based tap on the existing LCC HVDC scheme. The research will address the operational challenges of such a topology in the New Zealand context and propose a circuit solution including special control and protection functions to ensure stable operation of such a topology.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): none
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
WS4 - MASTERS PROJECT 2 - CLOSED
Conversion of overhead AC Lines to DC – A New Zealand Perspective
Conversion of overhead AC Lines to DC – A New Zealand Perspective
Published June 2021
This project focuses on WS4 (Transition from AC to DC).
As part of the transition from an AC transmission and distribution grid to a DC grid it is likely that existing overhead AC lines will need to be repurposed to DC. This conversion process includes several aspects that are new to many utilities, such as DC insulator dimensioning, as well as DC corona and field effects. Through simulation studies and experimental work, this Masters research project will determine the possibilities and constraints of AC to DC overhead line conversion with respect to the New Zealand context.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): none
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
This project focuses on WS4 (Transition from AC to DC).
As part of the transition from an AC transmission and distribution grid to a DC grid it is likely that existing overhead AC lines will need to be repurposed to DC. This conversion process includes several aspects that are new to many utilities, such as DC insulator dimensioning, as well as DC corona and field effects. Through simulation studies and experimental work, this Masters research project will determine the possibilities and constraints of AC to DC overhead line conversion with respect to the New Zealand context.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert): none
Based at University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
