PhD Scholarship in Smart Grid Optimization: Privacy-Preserving Models for Active Load Coordination - DTU Wind

Are you driven by the idea of creating a more sustainable future through groundbreaking research? Do you want to work in a collaborative environment where your contributions can shape the green energy transition? If so, this fully-funded 3-year PhD position at DTU Wind and Energy Systems could be a perfect fit for you.
Are you driven by the idea of creating a more sustainable future through groundbreaking research? Do you want to work in a collaborative environment where your contributions can shape the green energy transition? If so, this fully-funded 3-year PhD position at DTU Wind and Energy Systems could be a perfect fit for you.

We at DTU Wind and Energy Systems offer a vibrant an welcoming environment with an international atmosphere that foster creativity, empathy, teamwork, and outstanding academic collaborations. You will also benefit from strong connections to leading companies in the Danish energy sector.

As a PhD candidate, you will join the Energy Markets and Analytics (EMA) Section within the Division for Power and Energy Systems (PES). The EMA Section is renowned for its multidisciplinary research in energy markets, optimization, game theory, and machine learning. Our team of 13 members (link) from 10 different nationalities values diversity and includes experts from a range of scientific backgrounds, including electrical engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, data science, and applied mathematics. Many of our former students are now successful scientists, both in academia and industry.

You will be involved in the “DTU Alliance” project in Collaboration with Prof. Anna Scaglione at Cornell University, with the opportunity to undertake a research stay of 5-9 months.

Motivation, tasks, and qualifications
Electric power systems are evolving to become more sustainable, distributed, and intelligent, with the ambitious goal of reducing emissions by 70% by 2030 in Denmark. This transformation is driven by the rapid growth of distributed energy resources (DERs) and the electrification of transportation, heating, and water systems, which now operate as active and flexible loads. While these changes offer tremendous potential to decarbonize the grid, they also present significant challenges in coordinating active loads across both distribution and transmission system levels. Effective coordination is essential to fully realize the benefits of DER integration and electrification.

In addition, the increased observability of these loads raises critical privacy concerns for grid customers. Sensitive data could be exploited by adversaries to identify occupancy and appliance usage patterns. Although customers often trust system operators with their data to ensure reliable energy supply, their privacy rights are frequently overlooked in operational practices.

This PhD project addresses these challenges by developing advanced models for coordinating active loads in a privacy-preserving and fair manner. This research outcomes will contribute to facilitating the integration of DERs while reducing energy imbalances, reducing energy procurement costs, and enhancing services to customers. A key focus will be on creating computationally efficient models that strike a balance between accuracy and scalability, leveraging prosumer flexibility for ancillary services to support a more intelligent and responsive smart grid.

You will have experience or an interest in the following areas:

• Knowledge of computer science and operations research
• Familiarity with renewable energy systems and their challenges
• Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python or Julia
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams are essential
• Excellent use of the English language and communication skills, with the ability to present results in scientific papers

We welcome anyone with varied experiences and educational pathways. DTU Wind works with an inclusive mindset in recruitment. If you find the position interesting but do not think you meet all our requirements, apply anyway. You could be the ideal candidate for us.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Researcher Farzaneh Pourahmadi, Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati, and Professor Jalal Kazempour.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD project should start in 2025. The exact start-date is according to a mutual agreement, taking into account your availability and preference. This position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Researcher Farzaneh Pourahmadi ([email protected]), Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati ([email protected]), and Professor Jalal Kazempour ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems Department at https://wind.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 14 March 2025 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter). Please explain why you are well-suited for this PhD position, highlighting your scientific background, programming skills, motivation, and commitment (details matter). Specific examples will help clarify how your qualifications align with the role.
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A list of at least two references.

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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2800 Kgs. Lyngby