Combined 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. Design and Optimization of a System for Distributed Energy Resource Integration and Management in Community Energy Systems Using Mathematical Models and Simulations

   Community energy brings a fundamental shift in the approach to electricity generation, distribution, and consumption. Decentralized energy resources (DER), such as photovoltaic power plants, battery storage, and other renewable sources, are becoming key components of the energy system. Efficient utilization of these resources requires advanced control and optimization methods that consider both the technical and economic aspects of their operation. A critical challenge remains the proper configuration and management of DER connections to the distribution network and community energy systems. The objective of the study and dissertation is to focus on the design and optimization of a system architecture for managing community energy using advanced automation elements, particularly programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and optimization algorithms. An integral part of the research is the development of mathematical models of energy flows within community networks, enabling the simulation of various electricity-sharing scenarios and the prediction of generation and consumption. These simulations will allow testing of control strategies for efficient electricity allocation among participants using static, dynamic, and hybrid allocation keys. The research will also include an analysis of the legislative and technical conditions for connecting DER to community energy systems. It will explore how DER can be effectively integrated into energy communities while complying with applicable regulations and technical requirements of the distribution system. Special attention will be given to the interoperability of control systems, data security, and the cybersecurity resilience of the platform. The expected outcomes of the research include the development of a methodology for DER integration and management and a validated simulation model of energy flows. As part of the study, participation in a research project is anticipated, aiming to develop and experimentally validate a prototype of a control platform for community energy management. The final dissertation is expected to contribute to the development of effective strategies for decentralized electricity generation and consumption management and to support the broader adoption of community energy in line with modern energy trends.

   Tutor: Morávek Jan, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Modert topologies and optimum control of inductive heaters

   SiC and GaN MOS-FETs enable to increase the working frequency of an inductive heater. The influence of the working frequency on the heating process will be researched in various practical cases. Also the influence of the working frequency on the losses of the working coil will be solved. Dominant influences of skin and proximity effects must be considered. The coil geometry chosen with respect to the specific application affects strongly the problems of coil losses. Not only an air-core coil will be solved but also a coil with a ferrite core (for example in specific inductive heaters for automotive body repairs). Also the choice of the characteristic impedance of the LC resonant tank will be solved (low- or high- impedance of the coil). This choice directly influences the problems of coil losses, its cooling, realization problems and also optimum choice of the power circuit topology. The possibilities of phase-shift control will be solved in the field of control. An internship at TU Linz in Austria is foreseen.

   Tutor: Vorel Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.