Full-time study

4 years

prof. RNDr. Vladimír Aubrecht, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Aubrecht, CSc.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Petr Mastný, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Pavel Vorel, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Ondřej Vítek, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Petr Toman, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Radomír Goňo, Ph.D.
Ing. Petr Modlitba, CSc.
prof. Ing. Aleš Richter, CSc.
Ing. Zdeněk Wolf

The doctor study programme is devoted to the preparation of the high quality scientific and research specialists in various branches of power electronics, control technology, design of electrical machines, electric power generation and distribution, and electric power utilization.
The aim is to provide the doctor education in all these particular branches to students educated in university magister study, to make deeper their theoretical knowledge, to give them also requisite special knowledge and practical skills and to teach them methods of scientific work.

The goal of the postgradual doctoral (PhD) study of the program "Power Systems and Power Electronics" is the education for scientific work in the area of power electrical engineering and power systems. Graduates of PhD find occupation either as scientific or research workers including industrial development, either as university teachers and in higher manager functions as well.

The graduate of the doctor study program "Power Systems and Power Electronics" obtains broad knowledge of subject of high power engineering. The knowledge is built mainly on theoretical background of the subject. Moreover, the graduate will obtain deep special knowledge aimed in direction of his/her thesis. The graduate will be able to perform scientific and/or applied research based on up to date theoretical knowledge. The graduate will be able to organize and lead a team of researchers in the studied subject.

Doctoral studies are carried out according to the individual study plan, which is prepared by the supervisor in the beginning of the study in cooperation with the doctoral student. The individual curriculum specifies all the duties determined in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Rules, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are time-bound throughout the study period, they are scored and fixed at fixed deadlines.
Students will write and pass tests of obligatory subject Exam in English before the state doctoral examination, compulsory elective courses in view of the focus of his dissertation, whereas at least two are selected from: Mathematical Modelling of Electrical Power Systems, New Trends and Technologies in Power System Generation, Selected problems from power electronics and electrical drives, Topical Issues of Electrical Machines and Apparatus), and at least two optional subjects (English for PhD students; Quoting in Scientific Practice; Resolving Innovation Assignments; Scientific Publishing from A to Z).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after all the tests prescribed by his / her individual study plan have been completed. Before the state doctoral exam, the student draws up a dissertation thesis describing in detail the aims of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of the dissertation solved, or the characteristics of the methods it intends to apply in the solution.
The defense of the controversy that is opposed is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam, the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of electrical engineering, electronics, electrical machines, and electrical apparatus. The state doctoral examination is in oral form and, in addition to the discussion on the dissertation thesis, it also consists of thematic areas related to compulsory and compulsory elective subjects.
To defend the dissertation, the student reports after the state doctoral examination and after fulfilling conditions for termination, such as participation in teaching, scientific and professional activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work placement at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project.

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study the students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

1. Advanced testing of protection systems using real-time simulator

   New technologies of power system behaviour research during transient phenomena open the area of advanced analysis focused to large protection systems operation during faults. Tha main aim of this disertation is to extend possibbilities of real time simulator RTDS about simultaneous tests in real time. An Internship at foreign university is included.

   Tutor: Toman Petr, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Conducted disturbances in power systems in audio-frequency range

   Increasing deployment of power converters in distribution systems leads to rise in high-frequency conducted disturbance level related to the converters switching frequencies. The switching disturbances occur dominantly in frequency range from 2 kHz to 150 kHz. Current experience shows that such disturbance may lead to serious malfunction of grid-connected sensing, measuring and/or controlling systems of analog or digital nature. At the same time there is significant gap in EMC coordination and standardization since the frequency range was for a long time out of interest. It is just between low-frequency disturbances connected to power quality and radio-frequency disturbance. The project is focused firstly on development of suitable measuring apparatus and procedure to monitor the disturbances in distribution systems in the audio-frequency range. Then origin and propagation of the disturbance should be studied and finally EMC concept is expected to be proposed. The theme takes a part of research project in cooperation with Czech utilities and with foreign universities (Germany, Italy). An intership at a foreign research institution, for instance TU Dresden, DE, is expected. Ask for more details at drapela@vutbr.cz.

   Tutor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Development of innovative functionalities for progressive deployment of smart distribution grids using specific smart meter data

   The main project objective is the development of the practical funcionalities based on the date from the smart meters. These funcionalities will be useful both for current condition evaluation of the low-voltage distribution network, but they will have demonstrably positive and innovative impact especially on the technically meaningful Smart Grids development. An Internship at foreign university is included.

   Tutor: Toman Petr, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Development of methodology for certification of power generating modules with inverters

   • analysis of related regulations and standards with requirements for properties and functions of power generating modules, • definition of procedures and parameter specifications for performing certification / verification tests, including virtual testing options, • specification and design of hardware requirements for inverters with implementation of hardware-in-loop testing in operating conditions • creation of methodology for processing and evaluation of operational data of ppower generating modules/equipment, • implementation of the proposed procedures and methodologies into certification processes in the Czech Republic, including the solution of a system for the automation of performed tests

   Tutor: Morávek Jan, Ing., Ph.D.

5. Fault detection and fault location in active distribution grids using synchrophasors

   The massive integration of distributed generation brings the need of protection systems transformation with respect of safety and reliability grid operation requirements for different grid connection schemes including island operation with different available short circuit power. The main aim of this dissertation work is analysis of the possibilities using synchrophasors measurement for active distribution grids adaptive protection. An Internship at foreign university is included.

   Tutor: Toman Petr, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Fault-tolerant electrical machines

   This topic is focused on research and development of fault-tolerant electrical machines. It can include redundant three-phase systems and systems with number of phases equal or higher than five. The resulting machine with output power up to 100 kW is intended for aerospace applications. Ph.D. student has to absolve an internship at a foreign university with a minimum length of one month.

   Tutor: Vítek Ondřej, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Charging stations for electric vehicles as an element of electricity system

   The urgent need for the development of charging stations for hybrid cars and electric vehicles (EV) still shows as important in the context of the current gradual development of this type of transport. The theme is focused on energy analysis of the concept of charging stations with integrated accumulation and renewable energy sources. Based on the concept will be developed the mathematical models. It will be performed energy-economic analysis in order to verify the possibility of using the concept in this way to reduce the load of the network at the connection point. Direct possibility of cooperation on concrete solution with an energy company is expected. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university.

   Tutor: Mastný Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Islanding operation of distribution systems with distributed generation

   The aim is to develop technically correct, reliable and verified concept for islanding operation (IO) of dedicated part of distribution system with distributed generation dealing mainly with definitions of conditions necessary to successful transition to IO, correct and reliable detection of conditions for transition to IP and back to parallel operation, development of power sources (loads) control strategy, etc. An intership at a foreign research institution, for instance Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", is expected. For more information email to: drapela@feec.vutbr.cz.

   Tutor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

9. System for monitoring of power quality and energy power flows in buildings with renewable energy sources – demand side management

   Evaluate current options (worldwide) management and monitoring of building energy systems with renewable energy sources. Design and create a unified system of regulation and control for the system, which will include heat pumps, solar thermal collectors and hybrid energy system with accumulation (photovoltaics, wind turbines) in order to achieve the maximum possible interactions between different sources and devices with respect to environmental influences. Underlying assumption of the proposed system is based on the concept of using PLC. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university.

   Tutor: Mastný Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

10. The voltage regulation in distribution networks with a high proportion of stochastic sources

    An increasing proportion of stochastic resources in networks affect the voltage stability during the day. Variable power delivery to the grid from these sources causes fluctuations in voltage variations during the daily diagram. Current devices used to the voltage regulation are unable to provide the required voltage level at all points of the network. The aim is to describe new possibilities and means for voltage regulation in distribution system and design concept of this regulation with regard to the current development of the resource base. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university.

    Tutor: Mastný Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

11. Use of accumulation to support the energy system

    Stability of electric power supply is - as a term - closely related with electrical energy production gained from renewable power sources (mainly from wind and photovoltaic power plants). The research will be focused on possibilities of accumulation of electric energy produced from renewable power sources with the help of modern technologies while focusing on hydrogen (VRB systems) utilization, accumulators based on Lithium and pumped storage hydro plants for its accumulation. The result of the work will be the draft measures in the energy system, which can solve time disproportion between electrical energy supply and take-off from the renewable power sources. The solution is connected with computer simulation (Matlab) and experimental measuring on a real model. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university.

    Tutor: Mastný Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

12. Utilization of advanced revenue meters for distribution systems control and automation

    The aim is to define expected functionalities of the revenue meters and their integration to individual security-technical layers of a distribution system management, furthermore to optimize metering features and data concentration for individual tasks. An intership at a foreign research institution, for instance TU Dresden, DE, is expected. For more information email to: drapela@feec.vutbr.cz.

    Tutor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2021 to 15.05.2021)

1. Cooperation of AC/AC four-quadrant converter-based traction station with distribution system

   New concepts of powering the AC traction system from the distribution system using four-quadrant semiconductor converters is a challenge and an opportunity for distribution systems. The aim of this work is to design and verify the integration of AC / AC four-quadrant converter traction stations with the possibility of energy recovery and to identify, design and verify the extent of possible support for the operation of the distribution system with reactive power. Cooperation with DS operators, technology suppliers (ABB), designer (SUDOP) and international scientific cooperation is expected. The doctoral study includes an internship at a foreign research institute, for example at the University of Campania, IT. Information: drapela@feec.vutbr.cz.

   Tutor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Nuclear reaction probabilities, cross-sections, fission and spallation reaction yields, and nuclear data uncertainties for accelerator driven subcritical nuclear reactors

   Accelerator driven neutron sources are the most intense sources of neutrons in the world. We could design subcritical nuclear reactors with these sources as external neutron sources (spallation or others). Neutron spatial density could be very high In that case; with very hard neutron spectrum. That type od reactor is able to transmute actinides, as well as major fiission products. Dissertation will be focused on nuclear reacton data for ADS. We expect international cooperation (JINR, MSU, RGU, IMP, YSU, UzhNU).

   Tutor: Katovský Karel, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Techniques for verifying the compliance of power generation plants with the requirements of the EU Regulation

   Verification of compliance of power generating plants with the requirements is the subject of Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators (NC RfG), and subsequent national implementations of requirements, which are in the case of the Czech Republic: Distribution system Connection Code - Annex No. 4: Rules for parallel operation of generation and storage facilities with the network of the distribution system operator. While the national implementation of the requirements can be considered successful, the implementation of processes for verifying and demonstrating the compliance of power generating plants with the requirements is still not complete. The current method of verification and proof of conformity has major shortcomings, as a result of which a significant percentage of currently connected plants do not, in fact, meet these minimum requirements. The origin of the situation can be identified mainly in the incompleteness of the specification of the procedural framework for demonstrating compliance and in the absence of solutions for the verification itself, which are currently under development. The aim is the necessary development and definition / determination of supporting certified techniques and methodologies for verification of compliance of equipment and modules / plants and their monitoring (continuous verification of compliance duration) by testing and measurement in laboratory and operational conditions. In summary, it focuses on the processes, procedures and equipment development to achieve a successful integration of low / emission-free sources, in accordance with the trouble-free, reliable and safe operation of the electricity system. Expected cooperation with DS operators and international scientific cooperation (Germany, Italy). Information: drapela@feec.vutbr.cz.

   Tutor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.