PhD student in Techno-economic Optimization of Thermal Energy Storage

Project description

Research education subject: Energy Technology

Industrial process heat is a challenge for the climate transition because fossil fuels still dominate. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can integrate renewable energy and enable reliable process heat. However, different evaluation methods make comparisons between TES technologies difficult. The PhD project addresses this for industrial steam and process heat at medium to high temperatures.

The project develops a modular framework for techno-economic modeling and optimization of TES concepts, such as particle/powder storage, molten salts, and phase change materials (PCM). The models include integration of renewable heat and electrification. The research investigates how storage technology, charging strategy, and system sizing are optimized for different process and market conditions, using quasi-steady-state, year-based, and targeted dynamic modeling.

The research is based on experimental data and industrial case studies, with applications for steam up to approximately 300 °C and process air up to 400 °C. The results include validated modeling tools, techno-economic indicators, and technology selection maps for cost-effective TES solutions, as well as guidelines for technology selection, system design, and future industrial investments.

Supervision: Justin Chiu is the primary supervisor for the PhD student. Salvatore Guccione is proposed as the co-supervisor.

Eligibility for admission

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance) the applicant must have the following basic eligibility:

completed a degree at an advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level, or have acquired, in any other way, within or outside the country, knowledge mainly corresponding to these.

Completed courses or course modules in technical thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy system analysis, and optimization methods are required in accordance with the eligibility requirements for the relevant doctoral program.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English corresponding to English B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your PhD studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. During the selection of applicants, the ability to:

independently drive your work forward, collaborate with others, maintain a professional approach, and analyze and work with complex issues, will be assessed.

Documented knowledge in computational programming with Python, machine learning, and Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) is meritorious. Specific knowledge in thermal energy storage, heat exchangers, and techno-economic modeling is also meritorious.

After the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target degree: PhD degree

Information about admission and employment

Only those who have been admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as a PhD student. The total period of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral studies for four years. An employed PhD student may, to a limited extent (at most 20%), perform certain tasks within, e.g., teaching and administration. A new employment as a PhD student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time.

As a PhD student, you will benefit from KTH's employment benefits and will have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreements for PhD salaries. Read more about Doctoral Studies at KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Union representatives

Contact details for union representatives.

The Doctoral Section (Tekniska högskolans studentkår)

Contact details for the Doctoral Section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application must contain the following:

Certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish are required if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge. A cover letter with a concise account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages)

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other information

For information on the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

An employment at KTH may be subject to security clearance. If this is the case for this specific employment, a security clearance of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security clearance.

We reserve the right to decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies as well as advertisers.

Become part of KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research, and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and contributing to the transition to a sustainable society. Here, you are offered the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are a matter of quality and an inherent part of KTH's core values as a university and a government agency.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.