Summer Project Scholarships for 2024-2025
The Future Architecture of the Network (FAN) programme has 13 summer project scholarships on offer for Electrical Engineering students at University of Canterbury, University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.
Please see below summary list. Please follow links to find more detailed project descriptions and specific requirements:
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 by Sunday 11th August, to [email protected].
Students will be informed soon after on the outcome of their application.
Please see below summary list. Please follow links to find more detailed project descriptions and specific requirements:
- HVDC Grid in New Zealand
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 and 2 - MVDC Grid in Christchurch
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 and 2 - Review of Energy Storage Requirements for hybrid AC/DC Grids
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 - Using Power-Flow Results for Initializing Voltage Source Converters in Electromagnetic Transient Simulation
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 - Development of an Offline Plotting and Analysis Software Tool
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 - Proof of Concept for Hybrid Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Solver Using PSCAD/EMTDC Software
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 - Numerical Accuracy and Stability Analysis of Integration Methods used in EMT-type Simulation
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 1 - Development of experimental setup dedicated to investigations on Arc Faults in LVAC and LVDC grids - student 1
University of Auckland, FAN Workstream 2 - Development of experimental setup dedicated to investigations on Arc Faults in LVAC and LVDC grids - student 2
University of Auckland, FAN Workstream 2 - Development of an Experimental Testbed for Studies on Protection and Fault Location of Hybrid AC/DC Grids - student 1
University of Auckland, FAN Workstream 2 - Development of an Experimental Testbed for Studies on Protection and Fault Location of Hybrid AC/DC Grids - student 2
University of Auckland, FAN Workstream 2 - Hierarchical Control Technology of DC Microgrid Cluster
Auckland University of Technology, FAN Workstream 3 - Data-Driven Control of Power Electronic Converters
University of Canterbury, FAN Workstream 3
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 by Sunday 11th August, to [email protected].
Students will be informed soon after on the outcome of their application.
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
- 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:
- Please fill in this application online form as indicated in the generic advert. Applications by email will not be considered.
WS1 - PHD PROJECT 3 - Closed
MATHEMATICAL & COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES TO ENABLE HYBRID NETWORK TRANSIENT AND FAULT ANALYSIS
MATHEMATICAL & COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES TO ENABLE HYBRID NETWORK TRANSIENT AND FAULT ANALYSIS
This opportunity has now closed.
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)
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)
Published April 2022
WS1 - PHD PROJECT 4 - CLOSED
MATHEMATICAL & COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES TO ENABLE HYBRID NETWORK DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
MATHEMATICAL & COMPUTATION TECHNIQUES TO ENABLE HYBRID NETWORK DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
This opportunity has now closed.
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)
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)
Published April 2022
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
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
Published May 2021
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
Published May 2021
WS3 - PHD PROJECT 1 - Open
Development of supercapacitor assisted disaster-resilient high power converters for DC Homes and DC microgrids
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.
Specific requirement (in addition to the generic qualifications listed in the FAN Postgrad generic positions Advert):
Based at The University of Waikato (Hamilton)
Published April 2024
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.
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.
- 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
Based at The University of Waikato (Hamilton)
Published April 2024
Vertical Divider
|
CONTACT US
For more information, contact us at [email protected] Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with news! |