Simulating the Smart Grid

In our PowerTech2013 paper Simulating the Smart Grid we propose a meta-model for a complete view onto the Smart Grid.

Power systems face increased complexitiy because of developments leading to more interdependencies between the power system components. For example:

• The progress of ICT in the last decades allows new applications in the field of energy.
• With increasing energy production in small distributed and private plants, the power flow direction is no longer unidirectional, from power plants to endusers. The former consumers becomes a prosumers.
• Increased use of renewable energies makes the energy production less schedulable. Loads need to be stored or shifted in time. A high need for efficient storage possibilites is generated.
• The energy market has been liberalized what gives rise to new energy related products and services.

The Smart Grid as Agents operating on several layers of complex flow networks.

 Power systems, as we knew them, are geting smarter by use of ICT. Liberalization of power market is expected to increase efficiency and energy product variety. New developments enable new perspectives which further drive new developments - it is hard, sometimes impossible, to distinguish between the drivers and the outcomes of this process.

The make this highly complex system more comprehensive, we propose to view it as agents operating on different flow networks. The agents optimize their flow according their individual utility function. The rules for the different types of flow are resulting from the subsystem design.

The model is generic but as flows are a measurable quantities it is suitable for quantitative extensions.

M. Pöchacker, A. Sobe, W. Elmenreich: Simulating the Smart Grid, IEEE PowerTech2013, Grenoble, June, 2013. 

Open PhD/Postdoc Positions at Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, Austria

1 Postdoc and 1 PhD researcher on Smart Energy Systems (full-time)

We work on integrating energy generators and consumers into a smart electricity grid. The goal is to build up a microgrid lab and perform applied research with industrial partners. One PhD and one Senior Researcher will be hired. We are a highly motivated international team of researchers situated at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park/University of Klagenfurt, Austria. We offer best work conditions, a beautiful campus with a pleasant, intercultural work environment, and a highly competitive salary. Potential candidates should have a master's degree (for PhD position)/a doctoral degree (for postdoc position) in computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, physics or related studies and should have skills in creative problem solving, energy systems, and the use of the English language. Further information about the project can be found here.

PhD researcher on Complex Systems Engineering (full-time)

We are offering a position for a researcher within the MESON (Modeling and Engineering of Self-Organizing Networks) project. We are a highly motivated international team of researchers situated at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park/University of Klagenfurt, Austria. We offer best work conditions, a beautiful campus with a pleasant, intercultural work environment, and a highly competitive salary. Potential candidates should have a master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, physics or related studies and should have skills in creative problem solving, Java programming, the use of the English language and knowledge in at least one of the following subjects: Complex systems, Machine Learning, Multi-agent systems, Smart Grid. Further information about the MESON project can be found on the project webpage: http://meson.lakeside-labs.com

Information for Applicants

Research will be conducted at the Institute of Networked and Embedded Systems under the supervision of Professor Wilfried Elmenreich. Working language is English. The institute cooperates with national and international partners from industry and academia and is part of the research cluster Lakeside Labs. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Please mail applications containing a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates and courses, list of publications, and contact details of two references in a single PDF file to applications@lakeside-labs.com by deadline of January15th, 2013.

Smart Grids @ SASO2012

We (Anita Sobe and Istvan Fehervari) are currently at the SASO 2012 in Lyon, the main conference on self-organizing and self-adaptive systems, with approximately 100 attendees. The topics of the talks are very wide spread and therefore the attendees and speakers come from different fields where they apply and analyze various SASO systems.

The first day we attendted the Workshop EVAL4SASO, a special session dedicated for the problem of evaluating such complex SASO systems. Here, we presented our paper:

A. Sobe, I. Fehervari, W. Elmenreich

FREVO: A Tool for Evolving and Evaluating Self-organizing Systems

In IEEE SASO Workshop Eval4SASO, Lyon, France, September 2012

It presents a generic evolutionary framework for rapid prototyping and evaluating research ideas on the design and behavior of evolved complex systems. To illustrate its capabilities, we demonstrated a short demo on a sample problem of dynamic pricing in smart microgrids. FREVO is easy to use and we hope it will assist many researchers and engineers. For further details and downloads, see:

http://frevo.sourceforge.net/

We were positively surprised by the high number of attendees focusing their work on Smart Grids. Although the Smart Grid research field is broad and was also reflected by the diverse presentations, all researchers agreed that there are many dynamic and complex problems that should be tackled by the help of self-organizing algorithms and mechanisms.

Three PhD Positions on Smart Energy Systems in Klagenfurt, Austria

Lakeside Labs is looking for researchers in the area of smart energy systems. We work on integrating energy producers and consumers into a smart electricity grid. The goal is to build up a microgrid lab and perform applied research with industrial partners. Three PhD candidates will be hired.

Potential candidates must hold a master degree and should have expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- Embedded Systems
- Energy Systems/Metering
- Network Simulation
- Complex Systems/Self-Organizing Systems

Lakeside Labs is located at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park in Klagenfurt, Austria. It is adjacent to the university campus and international IT companies. We offer competitive salaries coupled with a nice working atmosphere in beautiful southern Austria. Business language is English.

The project is conducted at the Institute of Networked and Embedded Systems at the University of Klagenfurt. The faculty consists of 20 research groups and offers study programs in information and communication technology, informatics, and technical mathematics.

Lakeside Labs is committed to increasing representation of female and international staff members and particularly encourages applications from such candidates. The documents should include a letter of interest, CV, academic certificates and courses, list of publications, and contact details of two references. Selected candidates will be invited for interviews. Please submit your documents before October 31, 2011 as a single pdf file to applications@lakeside-labs.com.