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study programme
Original title in Czech: Silnoproudá elektrotechnika a elektroenergetikaFaculty: FEECAbbreviation: DPC-SEEAcad. year: 2021/2022
Type of study programme: Doctoral
Study programme code: P0713D060005
Degree awarded: Ph.D.
Language of instruction: Czech
Accreditation: 28.5.2019 - 27.5.2029
Mode of study
Full-time study
Standard study length
4 years
Programme supervisor
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Aubrecht, CSc.
Doctoral Board
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
Fields of education
Study aims
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.
Graduate profile
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.
Profession characteristics
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.
Fulfilment criteria
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.
Study plan creation
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.
Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program
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.
There are currently two main trends of development in protecting distribution networks with distributed generation. The first is systems that require enhanced, usually fast, and reliable communication between components to operate. They are therefore systems that use the knowledge of the parameters of a large part of the network for protection purposes and can adapt the parameters of the protection functions to the current operating state of the network based on this knowledge. The second less observed trend is protection systems that do not need to know network parameters for their function and usually use machine learning or prediction algorithms and their combination. The dissertation thesis is focused on research of suitable algorithms for parameterization of protective functions, which will use prediction of network instability based on voltage events monitoring. The adaptive protection function algorithm will be optimized for central protection of the power substation and will be based on changing the parameters of the central protection functions when changing the operating mode or changing the configuration of the protected part of the distribution system.
Tutor: Orságová Jaroslava, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Centralized protection system is based on the monitoring of currents and voltages in distribution network through modern transducers with digitized outputs in accordance with the Sampled Values (SV) protocol according to IEC 61850-9-2. The work is focused on research of new protective features built on the possibility of these converters (high linearity and accuracy measurement, dynamic correction of measured values) as well as the concentration measured variables in one place (Process Bus). Its aim is to program functional application for monitoring and protecting specific part of distribution network that will use advanced protection algorithms and completely new functionalities for centralized systems of protection, control and optimization of power systems.
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.
The doctoral thesis is focused on constrained modeling of electric machines, i.e., construction of analytical models including electrical, magnetic, mechanical and thermal effects in the machine.
Tutor: Cipín Radoslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Analysis of converter topologies and power resonant circuits for an induction heatihg operating with a series or parallel resonance, control strategies, modelling of the power LC circuit including the influence of the heated object on the working quality factor (geometry), practical realization of a converter with a selected topology. The doctoral study includes an internship at TU Delft.
Tutor: Vorel Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
- Carry out an analysis and search of current principles of partial discharge measurement, - find suitable solutions or a combination of sensors on the basis of sensitivity measurement, determination of the nature of the fault, detection of the fault location and complexity of the solution, - implement own design and laboratory verification of functionality and range of parameters in shielded cells, - implement own, especially alternative principles of partial discharges measurement to indicators and fault meters in HV equipment.
Tutor: Krbal Michal, Ing., Ph.D.
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.
• 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.
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.
This topic is focused on research of fault diagnosis of electrical machines using different kinds of diagnostic signal, signal processing and decision making.
Tutor: Vítek Ondřej, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
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.
The aim of the project is the research and development of special electric machine with excitation permanent magnets and armature winding in the stator without magnets and or winding in the rotor. Due to this special construction the machines are able to be produced as high speed and or integrated e.g. with pump and or compressor as one compact product to save material and volume. It is supposed to design, produce and optimize very high speed generator 70 kW with maximal speed using up to date materials.
Tutor: Ondrůšek Čestmír, doc. Ing., CSc.
The aim of the project is research, development and optimization of high speed electric generators used for electric energy recuperation during gas liquefaction. The proces of gas liquefyaction is used e.g. in basic nuclear research. The required power is in the range 5 to 10 kW, and speed 160 000 to 230 000 r.p.m. It is supposed to be generator with permanent magnets. Realization of laboratory pattern including measurement and optimization will be part of the project.
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.
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.
Electroporation is a promising and effective ablation technique suitable for various medical fields. The crucial issue of this method is the correct setup of electric parameters for the intervention to achieve the electroporation effect in the required area of the tissue. Therefore, it is very advantageous to use numerical modelling and simulate the distribution of electric field and Joule losses. Transient thermal analysis is an important part of the simulations and allows us to assess the risk of the undesired thermal damage of the tissue. Goals of the doctoral thesis: 1. Clarification of material parameters necessary for the simulations 2. Creating simulations based on the needs of physicians 3. Data comparison of simulations and data obtained from real experiments 4. Creating a methodology for device setup according to the type of procedure
Tutor: Aubrecht Vladimír, prof. RNDr., CSc.
The dissertation will be focused on research of a new probabilistic approach for evaluation of optimal operation of distribution network based on calculation and evaluation of fatal probability, probability of faults and continuity of supply. The methodology will respect already applied and new approaches optimized not only for national but also for international distribution networks operation conditions. The topic of the dissertation encompasses several areas that are focused on i.e. calculating of the earth fault levels, evaluating of fault duration and frequency, as well as area focused on calculation and analysis of the potential distribution on surface for evaluation of possible levels of touch and step voltages, transferred potential to low-voltage earthing systems and also assessment of the probability of human touch presence, fault ignition and touch/fault coincidence. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university. At present, university of TU Graz (Austria) may be considered relevant, but the specific place will be updated during Ph.D. study period.
Tutor: Topolánek David, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Over the past few years there has been a persistent pursuit of national power utility companies to improve the current state of earthing system calculation especially for cases with stratified soil structures. The currently widely used approach based on simple analytical formulas with using mutual coefficients leads to complex dependencies and seems as quite unsuitable to be extended for such complex soil structures. There have been some attempts to improve the national utility standard that is being used by the utility companies for calculation of earthing systems, however, the current solution still seems as unsatisfactory. The possible way of improving the current situation can be seen in developing some kind of calculation software tool that could be referenced by the national utility standards as an alternative approach to the current practice and would be helpful especially for cases with worse soil structures. It is expected that the solution from such a software tool would be based on some more appropriate methods like solution of Laplace equation, method of finite elements etc. The bullet-points of this work can be expected as follows: - Analysis of currently used calculation and measurement procedures, the calculation requirements by the electrical utility companies. The analysis should be both on national and international (European) level. - Analysis and selection of adequate calculation method, selection of necessary input parameters. Analysis of appropriateness of selected solution and proposal of some improvements – recommendation on soil modelling, reinforced concrete earthing system modelling. Also, discussion and recommendation on the solution in frequency or only DC range. - Cooperation with utility companies on verification of calculated results, carrying out necessary verification measurements etc.
Tutor: Vyčítal Václav, Ing., Ph.D.
The Ph.D. thesis is focused on the development of adaptive system for optimization of the low and medium voltage network operation with respect to: voltage level, reactive power flows, voltage unbalance, load flow, etc. The system itself will also ensure fault location inside such networks and automatic reconfiguration. Designed system will be utilizing information from monitoring and control devices that are intended for installation in the distribution system by the operator (smartmetering, reclosers, smart DTS, etc.). To fulfill this task, a solution based on an opensource platform will be used, which will not exclude the integration of the proposed solution into dispatching control and planning systems in the future. The condition for successful defense of this work is to complete at least one month long internship at a foreign university. At present, the Aalto University (Finland) may be considered relevant, but the specific place will be updated during Ph.D. study period.
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.
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.
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.
The topic builds on the experience in the field of luminance analysis, which has a long tradition in our institute. Based on experience in this field, it seems perspective to continue this research and elevate the analysis of digital photography to the next level, consisting the evaluation of the light scene as a whole with respect to other lighting parameters (correlated color temperature, glare, contrasts, non-visual perceptions, etc. .). The topic should focus on the interconnection of various evaluation criteria that can be used to evaluate a lighting system and thus introduce a new unified tool for evaluating lighting scenes captured by a digital camera. The doctoral study will include an internship at a foreign research institute.
Tutor: Škoda Jan, Ing., Ph.D.
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.
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.
The great requirements are given to the efficiency of power transformers nowadays. The detailed loss analysis including additional loss are necessary for the fullfilments of new Eupropean ECO Design requirements. The analysis of the frame pressure force influence to the value of iron loss of the core will be necessary. Analytical formulas obtained from simulation and measurement will reduce the security tolerances and most probably will decrease the materiál requirements. The next goal of the project will be an analytical description of the additional loss in the foil winding. Such loss are about 15% of ohm loss. The analytical loss expressions will improve the results of optimalization procedure.
The issue of artificial light in the night environment (ALAN) affects both technologies of light production, electricity, measurement, but especially affects biological systems. However, for research into biological influences, it is necessary to know the degree of artificial light. Conventional metrics are not able to cover the needs of response testing in biological systems, and new metrics will need to be found for more detailed analyzes. The proposed topic will focus on measuring light in the night environment using a luminance analyzer and finding a suitable analysis of the obtained data, which would return sufficiently relevant indicators usable for further follow-up research such as biologists, physiologists, etc. Interdisciplinary cooperation is offered here. The research will also monitor the technology platform of light sources, which will be used as a source of metadata for possible corrections of lighting technologies, if it is necessary to make technological corrections due to the limits found. Within the topic, a unique area data collection will be performed in the conditions of the Czech Republic or further to Europe and a comprehensive database of measurements should be created, including evaluation according to the obtained methodology.
Tutor: Baxant Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
Nowadays, there is high pressure to optimize and develop new types of electrical machines, whether for application in industry, electromobility, or aviation. These are often high-speed asynchronous machines with full rotors, where 2D models require significantly longer computational time compared to synchronous machines, as well as machines whose special design leads to the need to perform demanding electromagnetic calculations using 3D models. Optimization of selected types of electrical machines can be not only very time-consuming but also financially and energetically expensive. This topic seeks to respond to this problem through research and development of statistical models of electrical machines to reduce costs and time required for optimization. The created replacement models for accelerating the optimization of electrical machines, such as the RBF network, will be used in real research problems of electrical machines, where they will enable rapid optimization and verification of the developed methodologies. It is expected that the results will be published regularly at conferences and in high-level journals. During work on this topic, it will be possible to consult research and development results also with staff of JKU - the Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Institute for Electrical Drives and Power Electronics, where a mandatory foreign internship for a doctoral student is also expected.
Tutor: Bárta Jan, doc. Ing., Ph.D.
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.
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.