PhD Stipend in Dynamic Modelling, Simulation and Optimization of Power-to-X Processes

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Testo originale dell'annuncio (in inglese)

Aalborg University, Department of Energy, Campus Esbjerg, invites applications for a three-year PhD Stipend from October 1st or soon hereafter in dynamic modelling, simulation and optimization of Power-to-X processes for renewable fuel production. The project is primarily rooted in process engineering while also addressing the interaction between Power-to-X plants and the electrical grid. You will contribute to interdisciplinary research spanning process engineering, power engineering and sustainable energy systems and help develop future large-scale Power-to-X solutions. Your work tasks In this PhD fellowship at AAU Energy, you will work with dynamic modeling, simulation and optimization of Power-to-X processes for renewable fuel production, such as green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel produced through Fischer–Tropsch and methanol-to-jet pathways. The project primarily focuses on the process-engineering aspects of renewable fuel production, with particular emphasis on the interactions among the electrical grid, electrolysers, fuel-synthesis processes, energy storage and heat integration in integrated Power-to-X systems. You will develop and apply physics-based process models that describe the behavior of Power-to-X plants under varying operating conditions. This includes modelling electrolysers, fuel-synthesis units and supporting energy-system components and analyzing how these systems can operate efficiently and flexibly in response to fluctuations in renewable electricity generation, energy prices and wider energy-system conditions. The work will combine process simulation with operational optimization, techno-economic assessment and model validation. The research will also examine the coordinated operation and control of Power-to-X processes, electrolysers and energy-storage systems in interaction with the electrical grid. You will contribute to research on grid-supporting operation and control strategies for integrated Power-to-X plants. You will carry out your research in close collaboration with academic and industrialpartners in Denmark and across Europe. The position includes, among others, preparing scientific publications, presenting results at conferences and workshops, and participating in project meetings and activities. You will also make a limited contribution to teaching or supervision at Aalborg University, for example by supervising bachelor’s and master’s students working on relevant topics. Your competencies You have, or are about to obtain, a master’s degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, sustainable energy engineering or a closely related field. You bring a solid foundation in areas such as process modelling, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, process dynamics and control, optimization or energy-system analysis, and you are interested in applying these disciplines to Power-to-X and renewable fuel production. You have experience with process-modelling tools such as Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS or other related software and are motivated to develop and apply dynamic models of energy and chemical processes. You are familiar with programming languages and computational tools. Expertise in a particular software package is not required, but experience with one or more computational environments, such as MATLAB, Python or similar tools, will support your work in the project. Knowledge of Power-to-X, electrolysis, renewable fuels, process integration or energy storage will be advantageous. Knowledge of electrical power systems, electricity markets, grid integration or the control of grid-connected energy systems would strengthen your profile but is not a requirement for the position. The core academic profile sought is within process engineering or a related discipline. You should have an interest in and motivation to learn about the