Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SENE5930521

Department

School of Energy and Electronic Engineering

Start dates

October 2021

Application deadline

4 May 2021

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2021. 

The PhD will be based in the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering and will be supervised by Dr Amitava Roy. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available; these cover tuition fees at the UK rate for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

The work on this project could involve:

  • Literature review to produce an industry status report in the form of a potential journal publication. 
  • Undertake mathematical modelling of electrolysers, wind turbines & solar PV for grid-balancing services.
  • Correlate the demand profile of green-hydrogen in the transport & heating sector to displace fossil fuel.
  • Quantify the environmental benefit in terms of net reduction of CO2, NOx SOx emissions.
  • Collaborate with industry partners including but not limited to National Grid, UKPN, utilities, wind-solar farms, railways and councils.
  • Showcase, disseminate, publish and commercially exploit the research output. 

This project deals with hydrogen & oxygen production, hydrogen storage, distributions and the usage of hydrogen at a system level in transport, heating, chemical and power generation sectors. 

A significant amount of electricity is expected to be generated by offshore wind turbines and solar PV farms in the coming decades creating a widening mismatch of energy generation and demand, thus needing for energy storage in which electrolysers are likely to play a pivotal role via grid balancing to produce green hydrogen. 

In this project mathematical models will be developed at a system level for aggregated wind turbines dotted around the English Channel, Irish and North Sea , solar PV, electrolysers, batteries and demand for energy, heating and transport fuel on a real time basis to develop operational methodologies of electrolysers.

Use the existing gas-grid as the interim storage of this hydrogen gas as some of this hydrogen would be used to power combined cycle gas turbines or hydrogen is supplied to households to run gas boilers or fuel cell CHPs which will be investigated for sensitivity analysis of different variables to decarbonise the heating sector. 

This hydrogen can also be used to refuel trains, ships and heavy duty vehicles to displace petrol/diesel. A details system level modelling on the dynamic demand of hydrogen will be conducted to represent the distribution of hydrogen, its storage volume, and pressure and sizing analysis of different components. Then quantify the environmental benefit in terms of net reduction of CO2, NOx SOx emissions from the above applications. 

The simulated data will be validated against the probability analysis and measured data of individual components from other field demonstration projects. There will be several industrial partners involved in this project to make the system level modelling and cost analysis work consistent and relevant for the industry. 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

You are expected to have a good mathematical or engineering background in electrical, electronic, mechanical, electrochemical subjects. Passion for renewables and hydrogen energy and an understanding of the energy systems (electricity, heating, transport systems) is essential. Knowledge of Matlab-Simulink or other relevant simulation software is desirable. Experience of modelling energy systems, wind-solar PV-battery, fuel cells or hydrogen energy is welcomed. 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Amitava Roy (amitava.roy@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SENE5930521 when applying.