The key challenge in realising an Australia-wide Electric Vehicle (EV) deployment lies in integrating the EV fast-charging infrastructure into power systems with resilience, safety, and efficiency guarantees. This research project aims to develop new control and optimisation algorithms that are necessary for the robust operation of electricity grids with integrated EV fast-charging infrastructure operated in coordination with wind and solar generated electricity. The expected benefits of the research outcomes include enabling significant reduction in carbon emissions from the transportation sector, accelerating the energy transition to renewables, and placing Australian industry at the forefront of EV grid integration technology.

This PhD research project will be primarily supervised by Dr. Elizabeth Ratnam, who is leading the research group for Power Systems & Optimization at the ANU School of Engineering, and will be co-supervised by Prof. Ian Petersen. It will also involve close collaboration with the ANU inter-cluster research lab of Control, Information, Intelligence, Communications, Automation, Decision, and Autonomy (CIICADA), and with researchers at the University of Sydney. This project would suit a student with an interest in collaborating with industry, and who has a background in control theory, as the research will draw on the topics of mathematical modelling, robust control, and distributed optimization.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the development of robust control methods and distributed optimization approaches for EV fast-charging

• Contribute to the writing of scientific papers and reports

• Participate in domestic and international conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project

• A Bachelor’s degree with honours in Engineering with a major in Electrical/Electronic/Computer Science/Mechatronics (or equivalent) or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering/Computer Science/Mathematics (or related areas)

• Independent, structured working method, and ability to think analytically

• High level communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with peers and superiors

• Knowledge of optimization and control is desirable

Research topics

Electric Vehicles, Mathematical optimization and Control, Smart Grid, Distribution Networks

Nanduni Nimalsiri: Nanduni.Nimalsiri@anu.edu.au