New Manchester PhD Studentship: “Resilience of future electricity networks”

Eligibility: UK and EU candidates only
Start date: By 1st March 2012
Funding: Fees (£3,732) and stipend £13,590 (at 2011/12 rates)
Sponsor: EPSRC
Closing date for applications: 3rd February 2012
Project details:
The resilience of the UK's electricity energy network is being challenged on three fronts: (i) policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions will alter substantially the existing mix of electricity generation; (ii) decarbonisation of the 'energy' system will be likely to involve considerable shift of previously non-electric energy demand onto the electricity network and (iii) not only will the expected mean changes in climate alter electricity demand and the performance of the electricity infrastructure, but increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events will impact on the electrical network and distribution systems.

To address these multiple and concurrent challenges, the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council have funded the Resilient Electricity Networks for Great Britain (RESNET) project. RESNET will develop and demonstrate a comprehensive systems-level approach to analysing, at the GB scale, the resilience of the existing and future electricity networks. It will develop, test and refine tools for evaluating adaptation measures designed to enhance the resilience of the energy network.

The PhD will contribute towards the project by:

- reviewing current low carbon energy scenarios for the UK and assessing the contribution that electricity makes to delivering final energy demand in different sectors.

- exploring how ‘new’ electricity uses such as electric vehicles will impact on patterns of electricity demand

- developing appropriate models to explore the impact of future electricity demand scenarios on electricity consumption patterns

- examining the role of smart grids in the context of changing profiles of electricity consumption

Qualifications applicants should have/expected to receive:
The project will require a strongly numerate researcher who has at least a 2:1 degree. Their degree may in a discipline such as electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, computing science and other related disciplines.

The project would also be suitable for social or environmental scientists provided the candidate has proven numeracy skills.

Demonstrable experience of developing and applying numerical models to real world situations.

An appreciation of wider context of issues pertaining to energy, climate change and society.

A willingness to actively engage across other academic disciplines.

Amount of funding available and eligibility:
The studentship covers Home/EU fees and a stipend of £13,590 for 3.5 years and as a result of funding restrictions, is available only to Home/EU Students. Non EU overseas students should NOT apply.

Contact for further information:
Informal enquiries regarding the project should be directed to the project supervisor:
Professor Kevin Anderson: Kevin.anderson@manchester.ac.uk.

General enquiries relating to the postgraduate application process within the School should be directed to:
Miss Michelle Ringwood
Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
Telephone +44(0) 161 275 4345
Fax: +44(0)161 306 9218
Email: michelle.l.ringwood@manchester.ac.uk
Further information on how to apply can be found at:
http://www.mace.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/