Research Expert Smart control of flexible assets and privacy-preserving smart grid solutions

☞ KU Leuven

Ver: 135

Día de actualización: 04-11-2025

Ubicación: Leuven Flemish Brabant

Categoría: IT - Software IT - Hardware / Redes Tecnologías de la información

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Research Expert Smart control of flexible assets and privacy-preserving smart grid solutions

(ref. OZK-2023-111)
Laatst aangepast: 21/12/23
The ELECTA group is one of the research entities within the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Group Science, Engineering & Technology of KU Leuven. It has positioned itself among the leading experts on energy transition and smart grid-related advancements. Over the last twenty years, it has produced an extensive body of work in the topics of power system operation and control, distributed control and optimization, power electronics, energy markets, and multi-energy systems. The research group has been created in the 1960s and is currently composed of 13 full-time/part-time professors, spread over 3 campuses (Leuven, Gent-Aalst, Diepenbeek), 4 valorization managers, 12+ post-docs and research experts. ELECTA, along with VITO, imec, and the university of Hasselt is one of the founding members of EnergyVille, a leading research institute in all aspects of renewable energy. Among such expertise, the team of Prof. Geert Deconinck specializes in managing flexible assets and distributed energy resources, guiding both grid operators, industrial actors, and consumers seamlessly through the transition to a fully renewable grid. System operators and consumers face various challenges, including the intermittent nature of renewable sources, the management an increasing number of complex assets, the evolving role of consumers (now known as prosumers), the rising prevalence of electric vehicles, and the extensive data streams generated by the ICT infrastructure. With over 5 active projects in this domain, a research expert is needed to coordinate the activities related to these crucial issues. The expert’s tasks center around designing flexibility solutions to enable grid control from the demand side, and to engage prosumers in the future smart grid. We prioritize decentralized, data-driven control solutions that easily scale to the growing number of assets and data streams. Upholding the comfort and privacy of prosumers is a top priority. The ideal expert should possess an understanding of data security, privacy, and cybersecurity aspects of energy and flexibility exchanges. The expert must also guide other researchers (PhD/master students) and coordinate projects around such activities, as well as attract funds to carry on in the pursuit of such goals.
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Responsibilities

The research expert will be part of the ELECTA research unit, as well as the Algorithms, Modeling & Optimization group of EnergyVille (Genk, Belgium). The position entails coordinating research projects centered around the development of flexibility solutions for the smart distribution grid. The position’s research objectives are threefold. First, to design algorithms that optimize the management of flexible assets (electric vehicles, heat pumps, …) for accommodating the increasing penetration of renewable sources. Second, develop decentralized, data-driven methods that adapt to the increasing scale of available assets and their complexity. Finally, provide support for the integration of end-users (prosumers, smart buildings) in grid-balancing activities, while ensuring their comfort and privacy. The expert will have the task of consolidating knowledge and coordinating projects from ELECTA’s side.

  • Design algorithms for optimal energy management within the smart grid, by leveraging flexible demand and renewable energy assets.
  • Monitor the development of energy markets and energy law to incorporate the latest regulations into the design of smart grid and implementation of smart grid solutions.
  • Develop private-by-design demand response control algorithms that preserve the privacy and data integrity of the end-users and the grid’s cybersecurity.
  • Develop data-driven control solutions to control smart grid assets to maximize the grid’s capacity to host renewable generation/electric vehicles.
  • Coordinate research projects and collaborate with academic and industrial partners.
  • Lead/participate in project proposal design, writing, and submission efforts.
  • Coach and collaborate with PhD and master students in the completion of research projects/master theses.
  • Take part in scientific publication efforts and support other team members to disseminate the outputs of research projects.
  • Lead/participate in project deliverable writing and report to funding agencies.
  • Support the organization of scientific events within ELECTA/EnergyVille.
The research expert is expected to take part in efforts to attract further funding to support the research efforts of the team and to sustain the position.

Profiel

  • PhD in electrical engineering, control, or applied mathematics with at least 7 years of research experience (PhD included).
  • Experience in leading research efforts (from proposing new research directions to coaching PhD and master students).
  • Experience in control of flexible energy assets using decentralized and/or data-driven approaches.
  • Experience with privacy-preserving approaches for smart grids.
  • Good dissertation/communication skills in English (other languages are a plus).

Aanbod

We offer the selected candidate an attractive working environment, flexibility and responsibility, and a full-time position as a research expert (OZK).

Interesse

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Geert Deconinck, tel.: +32 16 32 11 26, mail: geert.deconinck@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be


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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie : Leuven
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Solliciteren tot en met: 26/01/2024
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Tags: Elektrotechniek, Elektrotechniek
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Plazo: 19-12-2025

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