1 PhD position on Life-Cycle Performance Design buildings and community energy infrastructure in Netherlands | Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

The 4-year project is focused on the further development of LCPC for the clusters of buildings and community energy infrastructure (electricity, gas, heat and cold) planning and related process control. This aims at the development of concepts for optimizing energy usage in buildings, their connected energy infrastructure and their related communities, using multi-objective and multi-scale predictive process control. Within the research a method for flexible and sustainable energy infrastructure process control for communities based on underlying BEMS of the buildings within the community will have to be developed. The possibilities of integrating the individual Building Energy Management Systems to a Community Energy Management System forms an important part of the approach to implement Smart Energy System concepts. The LCPC method will be used to evaluate energy options for buildings and their communities based on different energy supply concepts and building services concepts during the lifetime of the buildings within a specific community. Lastly, it aims to develop and implement control strategies for prosumers/aggregators acting at building and community level.

The project delivers a multi-dimension CEMS control system that allows buildings BEMS interacting with each other to obtain an optimized energy infrastructure process control environment and unleashing buildings flexibility to support Smart Energy Systems, example the Smart Grid and Gas network. Expected results: Optimized interaction between multi buildings and its users for long- and short term energy demand and storage: energy management strategies for integration with the smart grid innovative business concepts for energy infrastructure planning and operation of buildings and communities.PeriodActivitiesYear 1Literature search & survey BEMS, CEMS and LCPDYear 2LCPD analysis and defining generic energy process control management systems from existing energy systems within buildings (BEMS) towards those of communities (CEMS)Year 3Optimization plan for building services concepts and community scenarios based on LCPDYear 4Implementing and testing LCPD scenarios for CEMS

Requirements

Candidates for this position should have an MSc degree in Building Services, Building Process Control, Mechanical Engineering or a related field. We particularly mention Building Services, Intelligent Buildings, Process Control Theory and Multi Agent Theory, as research areas that the PhD should be familiar with, especially Building Energy Management Systems. Strong analytic, programming and simulation skills are required, along with an inquisitive and reflective attitude and the ability to think systematically. Since this project involves a multidisciplinary collaboration with multiple partners, strong social and team working skills are also required.

Conditions of employment

We offer a stimulating and ambitious research environment. The gross monthly salary increases from € 2174,- in the first year to € 2779,- in the fourth year, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end of the year allowance.

Besides this, the TU/e has an excellent package of attractive benefits for employees, a child-care facility, and a modern sports complex. Assistance for finding accommodation can be given. The duration of the project is four years. The project is expected to start in June 2016.