PhD Study : 2050 Single Electricity Market model development

Apply and key information  

Summary

The Centre for Sustainable Technologies invites applicants for a PhD study “2050 Single Electricity Market (SEM) model development”. This PhD aims at creation of the  future All-Ireland electricity market model via a series of transitional pathways towards fully-decarbonised system.

The Single Electricity Market is among world leaders in terms of renewable energy integration. Future net-zero targets will require upscaling renewable generation and system capabilities to meet new challenges

Energy transition demands conceptual transformations across all sectors: power, heat, transport, agriculture and industry.

Sectoral integration will inevitably put new challenges on the operation of the electricity market and its infrastructure. Electrification is one of the most efficient routes for the decarbonisation of heat and transport sectors. The hydrogen economy is required for hard-to decarbonise sectors such as high intensity industrial processes, freight transport and electricity generation. Energy storage and demand-side response will be a key solutions to balance renewable fluctuations and support security of supply.

A whole-system approach is required to define how the 2050 Single Electricity Market might look like bringing the synergies between decarbonisation of various sectors, lowering the costs and being socially and politically acceptable. Future scenarios will include both supply and demand-side transformations.

The successful PhD candidate will develop 2050 Single Electricity Market model using one of the power systems optimisation software such as Plexos, Backbone or their alternatives. The required training will be organised at the start of PhD program to help student start investigation.

The successful PhD candidate will be part of the Centre for Sustainable Technologies team with opportunity to engage with the researchers from Ulster University and global scientific communities. The candidate will also develop skills in electricity market modelling widely applicable to a successful future career development in both industry, commercial and academic research fields.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Recommended reading

Committee on Climate Change, Sixth Carbon Budget, December 2020 [Available at] https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget/

Economic Consulting Associates, PLEXOS Validation 2019- 25 and Backcast, 2020, [Available at] https://www.semcommittee.com/sites/semc/files/media-files/SEM-20-004%20SEM%20PLEXOS%20Validation%20%282019-2025%29%20and%20Backcast%20Report.pdf

EirGrid, SONI, Industry Guide to the I-SEM, 2018, [Available at] https://www.sem-o.com/documents/general-publications/I-SEM-Industry-Guide.pdf

EirGrid Group, Quick Guide to the Integrated Single electricity market, [Available at]: https://www.eirgridgroup.com/__uuid/1458bec2-f1e3-493c-92de-8dd2228bca1c/EirGrid-Group-I-SEM-QuickGuide.pdf

Kirschen, D.S. and Strbac, G., 2018. Fundamentals of power system economics. Hoboken. John Wiley & Sons.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 27 February 2023
04:00PM

Interview Date
20 March 2023

Preferred student start date
18 September 2023

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Inna Vorushylo

Other supervisors