[agents] PhD position: Algorithm Design for Energy Demand-Side Response

[Valentin Robu]

*PhD position: Algorithm Design for Energy Demand-Side Response*


Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh are pleased to offer
a fully funded PhD position on using artificial intelligence, multi-agent
systems, machine learning and distributed optimization techniques for
distributed demand side response.

In more detail, the PhD project involves looking the problem of aggregating
a large pool of energy consumers and storage devices to be able to respond
in real time to frequency dips and price signals from the grid and
distributed system operators. The project will have both a theoretical and
practical component. The theoretical component will explore using of the
latest techniques from multi-agent systems, machine learning and
distributed optimization to coordinate, control and distributed rewards
among a pool of devices or consumers with different consumption profiles.

The practical component will involve a close collaboration with Upside
Energy. Upside Energy is an innovative energy start-up, with offices in
Manchester and London. Upside is a UK leader in the field of distributed
energy demand response, in which consumers and storage devices are paid to
reduce their consumption or inject power in the grid at time of peak
demand. It has developed an Advanced Algorithmic Platform (AAP) which
allows the decentralised control of a large number of storage devices
performing DR.


*Candidate profile and requirements:*

The candidate should have a good degree in either computer science or
electrical engineering, with a background in distributed AI, optimisation
or algorithm design, and an affinity with energy systems. For UK
candidates, a 1st class or a good 2:1 first degree or a relevant MEng or
MSc degree is required. Candidates from EU countries with equivalent MSc
degrees and experience are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The position is fully funded for 3.5 years, including full tuition fees for
UK and EU candidates, with a tax-free stipend of £15,000/year and a
generous annual budget for international conference travel, training and
equipment.


*Environment and supervisory team:*

The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Valentin Robu (Heriot-Watt
University) and Dr. Aristides Kiprakis (University of Edinburgh). She/he
will participate in joint activities, such as the Edinburgh smart grid
journal club, as well in some of the activities of the Energy Research
Partnership (Scotland), including presenting research results at their
annual conference. Moreover, they will also work closely with the team at
Upside Energy, as the wider collaboration between our institutions includes
another postdoctoral research associate.

The Smart Systems Group at Heriot-Watt is an interdisciplinary research
group that spans research ranging from electrical engineering and energy
systems, applied robotics, to computer science and artificial intelligence.
The joint submission of Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh was
ranked first in the UK in terms of research power in the general
engineering category UK REF 2014 assessment.


*Contact information:*

Inquiries and applications - including a CV and transcript - can be sent
directly by email to Valentin Robu (V.Robu at hw.ac.uk). The application
deadline is 10th December, but applications will be accepted on an ongoing
basis until the post is filled.
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