1 PhD position in Uncertainty Reduction in Offshore Wind Farm O&M in Netherlands | Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

The task of the PhD will be to identify and reduce important uncertainties in the operational phase of offshore wind farms. Uncertainties in wind farm operation are of various origin such as weather forecasts, failure occurrences and logistics of maintenance. After identification of the major uncertainties in wind farm O&M, multivariate probability distributions need to be generated for both the operational and the logistics/maintenance parameters. Simulation tools and techniques will be used to relate these uncertainties to the costs and cost margins of offshore wind farm O&M activities. Standard and advanced optimisation techniques will then be applied to minimise the costs and reduce the margins. As a result, optimised maintenance approaches will be identified.

The PhD will be employed in the EUROS-WP3 project, which is part of the STW-Perspective-Programme EUROS coordinated by Duwind. The PhD research will run in parallel with another PhD position where the focus is on uncertainty reduction in the installation phase of offshore wind farms.

The key challenge of the EUROS WP3 work package is to develop a model for the accumulation of uncertainty from multiple sources in performance and costs of an entire wind farm. This WP uses the results of projects 1 and 2 to create causal maps of uncertainties and to develop an uncertainty propagation model on the wind farm level. The model identifies the most effective options for mitigating effects of uncertainties, enabling design solutions that are insensitive to factors that are not well known.  

Requirements

We are seeking candidates with an MSc in technical sciences and experience with stochastic modelling, stochastic progamming and O&M modelling. Knowledge about or experience with offshore wind turbine technology and/or offshore maintenance operations is an advantage.

Conditions of employment

The TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

Department

Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Aerodynamics, Wind Energy and Flight Performance and Propulsion (AWEP) is one of four departments composing the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Fundamental research is performed in the Aerodynamics section. Aircraft design, propulsion systems and their integration are the main topics in the FPP section. Wind energy systems, from small wind turbines to large offshore farms, are the objective of the research of the Wind Energy section. The department operates comprehensive laboratories, equipped with modern wind tunnels and state-of-the-art measurement systems.

The Wind Energy section facilitates the development of wind energy technology and the expansion of the use of wind power through research and education. In its research activities there is a focus on large, multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines and offshore wind farms, although urban wind power is also addressed. Both technology development aspects as well as fundamental aspects are present in the research programme. With respect to education, dedicated courses on the BSc and the MSc level are offered for Aerospace students, SET students and for the European Wind Master (EWEM) students.