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.

3. round (applications submitted from 01.12.2024 to 15.12.2024)

1. Integration of Inverter Based Grid-Forming Ready Resources with Asymmetric Control

   The issue of integrating grid-forming converters and converters with asymmetric control is currently highly relevant due to the rapidly growing share of renewable energy sources (RES) and decentralized generation in distribution networks. Traditional grid control concepts based on conventional synchronous machines are becoming inadequate for effectively managing modern grids, which are characterized by significant fluctuations in both energy production and consumption. Grid-forming converters, which are capable of independently establishing grid voltage, thus appear as key technologies for maintaining grid stability during outages or under higher levels of decentralization. Simultaneously, converter sources at the distribution network level must handle required control asymmetry or, in the case of grid-forming converters, the natural asymmetry in load. Asymmetric control of these converters offers potential benefits in terms of energy efficiency and system robustness, as it allows for a more flexible response to dynamic conditions within the grid, including asymmetric load or generation characteristics. The topic is also relevant from a legislative perspective, as stricter standards for power quality demand effective solutions for managing asymmetries in the grid and minimizing adverse impacts on meters and the distribution network. Research in this area thus holds high potential to contribute to the development of advanced control strategies for ensuring stability, efficiency, and quality of electricity supply in future smart grids. The doctoral study focuses on a comprehensive analysis of the integration of asymmetric control in grid-forming converters to optimize their performance parameters and meet the stringent demands of modern power grids. The primary research area addresses asymmetric load control of converters and its impact on the sizing of converter components, lifespan, control stability, and resilience to operational deviations. The analysis will explore the feasibility of implementing asymmetric control in the context of converters controlled as current sources, with an emphasis on the differing behavior of these systems compared to the natural asymmetry of grid-forming converters. A significant part of the study will also involve evaluating the acceptable level of asymmetry in distribution networks, with regard to network load and the effects of control dynamics on energy measurement by meters, relative to the desired state. Additionally, the study will analyze consumption characteristics across different consumer segments, including households, commercial operations, and embedded generation units, allowing for the definition of energy requirements for system stability and robustness. Another objective is to assess the coexistence of asymmetric control and the behavior of converters with functionalities like peak-shaving.

   Tutor: Morávek Jan, Ing., Ph.D.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2024 to 30.04.2024)

1. Optimization, minimization and recycling of radioactive waste from nuclear power plants

   Low and intermediate level radioactive waste is produced in various forms after as well as during the operation of a nuclear power plant. These wastes have to be characterized, segregated, treated and disposed of in a designated repository or released to the environment, if their nature and legislation permit. The objective of any nuclear power plant operator is to minimize the quantity of such waste and thus the use of the repository, the burden on the environment, but also to optimize the management of this waste in order to reduce the radiation exposure of the workers who handle it. New calculation and measurement methods, processing techniques, automation, artificial intelligence, etc., will enable significant progress to be made in this direction. The aim of the work is to carry out research and development in the field of management of low and intermediate level radioactive waste, in particular contaminated insulation and radioactive plastic waste, including mapping the latest global trends in the management of defined types of radioactive waste and related legislation, and proposing innovative ways to optimize and in particular recycle selected specific types of waste. During the PhD studies, the student will participate in the projects of the CANUT2 Centre, cooperate with MIFRE ENERGY, Ltd., ČEZ, Plc., scientific and academic institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad (SURO, v.v.i., FNSPE CTU in Prague, STU Bratislava, IAEA Vienna). Practical internship abroad is going to take place at JAVYS, a.s. (Jadrová a vyraďovacia spoločnosť, Plc., Jaslovske Bohunice, Slovakia), EWN (Entsorgungswerk für Nuklearanlagen Ltd., Greifswald, Germany), and PreussenElektra Ltd. (Isar, Germany).

   Tutor: Mukherjee Surjit, Dr.

2. Power system stability in islanded operations

   This topic focuses on the stability assessment of island operations, with the preparation of suitable dynamic models, together with the identification of their parameters, and the provision of the necessary data, as a partial objective, and a necessary basis for the analyses. Focus is put on the basic areas of power system stability, i.e. mainly frequency stability for different island operations, and voltage or rotor angle stability for specific island operations. In terms of dynamic modelling, response of new technologies to support the grid and their use to improve the situation should be considered. This includes in particular charging stations for electric vehicles or other modern technologies entering the market or being researched for grid support. The student will have the opportunity to complete an internship at TU Graz - Institute of Electrical Power Systems or an internship at the transmission system operator Entso-e.

   Tutor: Bátora Branislav, Ing., Ph.D.