Research Fellow in modelling and assessment of the impact of climate change on Renewable Energy Sources and new usages at the ASEAN interconnected power grid scale – DesCartes WP9

DesCartes Program (WP9) is looking for a Research Fellow in modelling and assessment of the impact of climate change on Renewable Energy Sources and new usages at the ASEAN interconnected power grid scale.

DESCARTES PROGRAM

The DesCartes programme is developing a hybrid AI, combining Learning, Knowledge and Reasoning, which has good properties (need for less resources and data, security, robustness, fairness, respect for privacy, ethics), and demonstrated on industrial applications of the smart city (digital energy, monitoring of structures, air traffic control).

The program brings together 80 permanent researchers (half from France, half from Singapore), with the support of large industrial groups (Thales SG, EDF SG, ESI group, CETIM Matcor, ARIA etc.).

The research will take place mainly in Singapore, at the premises of CNRS@CREATE, with a competitive salary and generous funding for missions.

Read more about the DesCartes program here.

Context
Singapore is undergoing a profound transformation towards Net Zero by 2050. Its energy system is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, particularly for generating its electricity. Due to limited capabilities within Singapore for developing large scale power generation based on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) allowing them to trigger the transition towards carbon free generation, Singapore has decided to develop its grid interconnection with neighbouring countries in order to import electricity from RES installed or to be installed in these neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

However, RES from these countries concern mainly PV, Wind and Hydro generation. These sources are weather and climate dependent. As such, Singapore is sensitive to ensure reliable access to these resources both in terms of available power and resilient transportation of the imported energy.

In this context, climate change may have potentially a significant impact on power generation based on RES. It is thus of prime importance to assess this impact with long term perspective while considering extreme events. Similarly, the dynamic impact of these RES on overall stability of the interconnected ASEAN regional grid is clearly a concern with the growing power flow exchanges and uncertainties.

It is also important to explore potential grid resilience attributes for Singapore in this new paradigm while considering leveraging tools such power flexibilities not only on ESS (Energy Storage Systems) but also on usage edges particularly on the fast-developing ones such as EVs (Electric Vehicles) and Data Centers.

State of the art and research objectives and description

Within CNRS@CREATE, a preliminary research work has been undertaken in collaboration with NTU and NEA (National Environment Agency) in order to model the evolution of temperatures, precipitations, and solar radiation on these regions with the perspective of assessing the impact of these changes on PV generation first and then on hydro power. These last issues have not been addressed yet.

The first objective of the proposed research project is to pursue the work done on the assessing the impact of climate change on power generation. Then the following issues have to addressed:

• Assess the dynamics of the interconnected regional grid while identifying unstable modes and their potential propagation through cross border interconnections with Singaporean grid

• Assess the potential of usage edges flexibilities, especially Data Centers and EVs, at the Singaporean side able to provide buffers or dampers for potential power variabilities or instabilities resulting from electricity import. For these usages, hybrid AI are needed for characterizing and forecasting load profiles and patterns in order to predict the flexibility potential as well as the interaction with the power grid.

Experience and qualification

The applicants should show the following qualifications:

• PhD on the electrical engineering and power domain or a research engineer with a strong experience on power generation and grid modelling & simulation

• Background experience in AI and applied mathematics would be highly appreciated

• Experience in power grid modelling and tools

Keywords:

1- Power systems engineering

2- Climate change

3- Hybrid AI and Machine Learning

4- Power electronics

5- State equations

Further Information & Contacts

Gross Monthly Salary Range (SGD): 6,900 to 10,000 (depending on suitability and experience).

Duration of the contract: 1.5 years contract

Workplace address: CREATE Campus, CREATE Tower, 1 Create Way #08-01 Singapore 138602.

Interested applicants, please send your resume to:

– Nouredine HADJSAID < [email protected] > and Blaise Genest <[email protected]>

– Please attach your full CV, with the names and contacts (including email addresses) of two-character referees.