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. Analysis of the reactive power overflows in distribution network and proposals of related measures for the implementation of renewable sources and electromobility

   - to analyse the planned development of distribution networks (related legislation and strategic documents, technical concepts of distribution networks, penetration rates of RES and electromobility, The European Green Deal, Fit for 55, etc.), - to analyse the current state of reactive power flows/overflows in the distribution and transmission system (through individual voltage levels of distribution network and in substations between distribution and transmission network), to identify and to define both problematic areas and the technical context in terms of reactive power flows, - definition of scenarios for the implementation of RES and electromobility at the level of the selected voltage level (incl. specification of technical criteria / implementation limits) for related analysis of implementation impact of RES/electromobility on reactive power flows/identification of possible available potential for reactive power flow management, - design of distribution network model (respecting e.g. network parameters/concept based on distribution system operator input data, RES/electromobility regulation requirements, stochastic methods for parametrization of consumer behaviour, voltage asymmetry in distribution network etc.) and to make comprehensive analysis of defined scenarios - R&D of measures for individual scenarios of implementation of RES/electromobility, the impact on voltage quality, active and reactive power flows, power system stability, specification of technical recommendations for distribution system operator, etc. An intership at a foreign research institution, for instance TU Graz, is expected. For more information email to: ptacekm@vut.cz

   Tutor: Ptáček Michal, Ing., Ph.D.

2. 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.

3. Chromatic temporal flicker

   Visible light variation may leads to disturbance of human’s visual perception. The origin of such negative effect is in the eye anatomy and physiology. The major influence on the flickering light perception can be found in eye viewing field, photoreceptors (cones of three types and rods) and their distribution at retina as a part of eye anatomy and in eye adaptation mechanisms like pupil, photo-chemical and neural adaptation (response) to luminous variations (including the photoreceptors spectral luminous efficiency) as a part of eye physiology. The human eye can be seen as specialized luminance multi-detector where the stimulation contrast is as important as radiant density. There are differentiated three types of flicker: temporal, spatial and chromatic. All of these flickers are joyless and may involve many psychological interactions. In artificially illuminated areas, lamps light variations due to variations in supply voltage may also lead to flicker perception. Such lamp possibly will produce light with time-varying radiant flux and its spectral distribution. The lamps flickering is produced by a voltage Phase Modulation (PM), mainly by Phase Jumps (PJ) and by Interharmonic Voltages (IH) superimposed on a voltage waveform. Thesis is focused on the voltage fluctuation to lamps time-varying radiant flux and its spectral distribution fluctuation transfer analysis and on the utilization of the analysis results for development and realization of an objective flickermeter having response to both the temporal luminance and chromatic flicker. The thesis aim is the realization of the new flickermeter types implemented in LabVIEW, with the experimental verification. The thesis covers theoretical-analytical, developmental and also practical-experimental part of study. An intership at a foreign research institution is expected (TU Dresden). More information: drapela@vut.cz.

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

4. 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.

5. Optical diagnostics of electric arc

   Evaluation of electric arc temperature and particle density using optical emission spectroscopy. High speed camera imaging of an arc discharge channel. Characterization of construction materials diffusion into discharge volume and its influence on the electric arc properties. An internship on the INP Greifswald is mandatory during this doctoral study. The minimal internship length is one month.

   Tutor: Aubrecht Vladimír, prof. RNDr., CSc.

6. Optimization of plasma radiation transfer calculations

   Calculation of optimal band distribution for mean absorption coefficients. Evaluation of the electric arc configuration and plasma composition on frequency band boundaries. Comparison of different numerical optimization algorithms and their application to the problem of radiative heat transfer in plasma. An international internship is mandatory during the doctoral study. Expected place of internship is LAPLACE laboratory of the University of Toulouse.

   Tutor: Aubrecht Vladimír, prof. RNDr., CSc.

7. Real-time simulation utilization for advanced protection systems design

   New technologies of power system behavior research during transient phenomena open the area of advanced analysis focused to large protection systems operation during faults. The main aim of this dissertation is to extend possibilities of real time simulator RTDS about simultaneous tests in real time including real devices – hardware in the loop simulation. An internship at foreign university is included.

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

8. Revision of current and proposal of novel calculation tool for earthing systems applicable for Czech national circumstances

   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 based on image method and 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. It would be further beneficiary to extend the tool capabilities by including the probabilistic approach of earthing system evaluation. Although this probabilistic approach is yet rather experimental, it can be expected that it will be allowed in the future as a complimentary to the state of the art deterministic approach. 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. - Cooperation with utility companies on verification of calculated results, carrying out necessary verification measurements etc. - Study possibilities of implementing probability evaluation of earthing systems.

   Tutor: Vyčítal Václav, Ing., Ph.D.

9. 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.

10. 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.