The Fraunhofer IEE in Kassel conducts research in the fields of energy management and energy system technology, focusing on: energy informatics, energy meteorology and geoinformation systems, energy management and system design, energy process engineering and storage, grid planning and grid operation, grid stability and power converter technology, and thermal energy technology. Around 450 scientists, employees and students develop solutions for the energy transition and generate around €40 million in revenue per year.
Would you like to help shape the implementation of the energy transition and work at the interface between science and industry?
The Grid Control and Grid Dynamics group focuses on grid stability. It is a collaborative team of engineers, scientists, technical staff, and students dedicated to understanding and managing inverter-dominated power grids. Its main areas of focus include investigating the stability and control mechanisms and requirements that are essential for these grids, performing analyses and developing applications to improve grid planning and operation, and integrating inverter-based units into existing grid infrastructures.
The Thesis is co-supervised by TU Dortmund.
What you will do
In modern electric power systems, there is a paradigm shift from large central power plants to decentralized and renewable power generators and battery storage. The numerous smaller units increase the complexity of power systems. In particular, the dynamic stability (in the time-frame of milliseconds to seconds) of such systems is a growing concern, as such converter-dominated systems have lower rotational inertia due to the absence of synchronous machines. Simulations for dynamic stability assessment create a high computational burden, due to many potential scenarios which need to be simulated. This demands sophisticated dynamic simulation environments and models.
We are developing an open source simulation software package called PowerDynamics.jl (juliaenergy.github.io/PowerDynamics.jl/dev/), which is a state of the art tool built upon the scientific machine learning environment (“SciML”) in the modern “Julia” programing language for high-performance symbolic-numeric computation in scientific computing and scientific machine learning. We aim at creating a modern open source simulation tool which is competitive in performance, open and extendable compared to commercial software such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory. You would be part of our effort to create a dynamic model of the German Power transmission system with thousands of buses, distributed generators, storage and loads.
The main tasks include:
* Creating models of power system components for PowerDynamics.jl using the state of the art modeling language ModelingToolkit.jl (github.com/SciML/ModelingToolkit.jl) for high-performance symbolic-numeric computation in scientific computing
* Components include power electronic controllers, PV, Wind, battery storage, electrolyzers, loads,.. (to be further specified based on your preferences)
* Modeling of dynamic behavior according to grid codes (transmission system operator specifications)
* Performing dynamic stability studies of modern low inertia power transmission systems (transient stability, fault-ride-through, etc.) and evaluation of the simulation results
What you bring to the table
* Solid background in electrical/control/power engineering or cybernetics
* Good programming skills e.g. in Julia (preferred), Python, C++, etc. and willingness to improve these skills
* Knowledge of electric power systems
* Preferred qualifications (one or more):
- Knowledge of modeling languages such as ModelingToolkit.jl/Modelica/Simulink
- Knowledge of numeric (time-domain) simulation
- Knowledge of power system dynamic models (power electronic converters, synchronous machines, grid-forming control, etc.)
- Knowledge of control engineering
What you can expect
* Insight into application-oriented research in the energy sector with direct relevance for industry and society
* Access to expert networks in the energy industry and research
* Commitment to the Diversity Charter – we actively promote diversity and inclusion in all areas
* Option of continued employment (e.g. as a research assistant or for a doctorate)
* Flexible and individual adjustment of working hours to lecture and exam times as well as the option to work from home or in the modern institute building with a New Work concept in a central location
As part of your master's thesis, you also have the opportunity to work as a research assistant for a number of hours that suits you (60 hours). The position is limited to 12 months.
Exceptions for a shorter term are fundamental operational reasons, the personal wish of the student or the end of their studies. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Remuneration according to the general works agreement for employing assistant staff.
With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.
Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!
Questions about this job will answer you:
* Mr. Dr. Simon Eberlien (Tel: +49 561 7294-1602)
Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE
www.iee.fraunhofer.de
Requisition Number: 81182 Application Deadline: 10/31/2025