Distributed Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems with Multi-Vector Integration for Energy Transition

About the Project

These projects are open to students worldwide, but have no funding attached. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to fund tuition fees at the relevant level (home or international) and any applicable additional research costs. Please consider this before applying.

Distributed Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (DHRES) are critical enablers of the energy transition. These systems integrate multiple renewable energy technologies with energy storage and energy carriers, enabling sector coupling across electricity, thermal, and hydrogen vectors to deliver reliable and sustainable energy services. DHRES can operate in standalone configurations or be integrated into existing grid infrastructures, supporting a wide range of applications, from electrification of rural and remote communities to green hydrogen production as a clean energy carrier, and meeting electrical and heating/cooling demands in industrial and residential sectors.

Despite their potential, the design, planning, and operation of DHRES involve significant complexity due to their multi-component and multi-vector nature, as well as the need to balance technical, economic, environmental, and social objectives. Developing robust frameworks that integrate multi-objective optimisation, multi-criteria assessment, and decision-making under uncertainty is therefore essential to achieving high system performance, stakeholder acceptability, and long-term sustainability.

The primary aim of this research is to evaluate the role of DHRES in facilitating the energy transition. This will be achieved by:

(i) developing advanced methodologies for energy transition scenario planning, multi-objective optimisation, and decision-making under uncertainty;

(ii) applying these methodologies to real-world case studies to demonstrate the role of DHRES in addressing specific energy transition challenges; and

(iii) conducting multi-criteria assessments to evaluate the technical, economic, environmental, and social impacts of DHRES deployments.

The research adopts a case-study-based approach, exploring DHRES applications across diverse contexts. The study will leverage the capabilities of the MOHRES software tool (https://mohres.com/) for modelling, simulation, and multi-objective optimisation of multi-vector energy systems, as well as energy transition planning. By grounding the research in real-world case studies, the project combines technical rigour with interdisciplinary integration, delivering actionable insights and decision-support methodologies for academia, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to enhance the adoption and effectiveness of DHRES.

Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit. The successful candidate should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in relevant engineering discipline (e.g. Renewable Energy, Mechanical, Electrical, Power) or Applied Maths. The project is ideal for candidates with a strong foundation in programming, mathematical modelling, and optimisation, as these skills are essential for addressing the technical challenges of system design. Applicants must also have a solid background in renewable energy conversion systems and experience with programming in MATLAB or Python. During the PhD study, candidates are expected to develop a robust knowledge of artificial intelligence and multi-objective optimisation techniques, which are central to the research. Furthermore, the research demands a willingness to engage in cross-disciplinary exploration, combining technical, economic, and policy perspectives to develop comprehensive solutions.

Application Procedure:

Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php.

You should apply for PhD in Engineering to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.

Please clearly note the name of the lead supervisor and project titleon the application form. If you do not include these details, it may not be considered for the studentship.

Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.

Please note: you do not need to provide a research proposal with this application.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Professor A Maheri on alireza.maheri@abdn.ac.uk

If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at researchadmissions@abdn.ac.uk

Funding Notes

This is a self-funding project open to students worldwide. Our typical start dates for this programme are February or October.

Fees for this programme can be found here Finance and Funding | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen

Additional research costs / bench fees may also apply and will be discussed prior to any offer being made.

References

1. Maheri, A., Unsal, I., Mahian, O. (2022), ‘Multiobjective optimisation of hybrid wind-PV-battery-fuel cell-electrolyser-diesel systems: An integrated configuration-size formulation approach’, Energy, 122825
2. Kahwash, F., Maheri, A., Mahkamov, K. (2021), ‘Integration and Optimisation of High-Penetration Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Fulfilling Electrical and Thermal Demand for Off-grid Communities’, Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 236, 114035.
3. Maheri, A. (2014), ‘Multi-objective design optimisation of standalone hybrid wind-PV-diesel systems under uncertainties’, Renewable Energy, 66. pp. 650-661.
4. Bokah, A., Maheri, A. (2021), ‘An Algorithm for Load Planning of Renewable Powered Machinery with Variable Operation Time’. IEEE Xplore.
5. Maheri, A. (2021), ‘MOHRES, a Software Tool for Analysis and Multiobjective Optimisation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: An Overview of Capabilities’. IEEE Xplore.