Supervisors: Dr. James Cruise, Heriot-Watt University, Prof. Gareth Harrison, University of Edinburgh
PhD Student: Evgeny Vylegzhanin, Heriot-Watt
Status: Closed
The present proposal is to fund a PhD student on a 3.5-year project to develop the necessary mathematical and statistical techniques. This is highly challenging. The stochastic models will need to be tailored to the specific requirements of electrical energy networks -- with regard to their relevance and complexity, their dimensioning, their tractability and their applicability. Further, they will need to incorporate those specific features required by the need to satisfy network constraints at all times, so that the problem becomes that of optimizing the movement of energy through both time and space. The project also has interesting and important statistical aspects, most notably the problem of characterising the value of more accurate flows of input data, through, for example, better weather forecasting techniques. Finally, there is a need to understand how the ability to time-shift both supply and demand will affect the electricity market and will be used by its participants to evolve balancing strategies. This again involves the development of sophisticated mathematical techniques from probability, optimization, game theory and microeconomics.
It is therefore suggested that the project proceed through a number of stages: (a) the development of the mathematical techniques for dynamically optimising storage and time-shifting of demand in the presence of continuously evolving uncertainty; (b) the incorporation of network constraints and other spatial considerations; (c) the analysis of the value of better information flows; (d) the impact of new capabilities on the market.
In order to ensure the relevance and applicability of the project, the PhD student would, throughout the project spend periods of time at National Grid. The supervisors would similarly maintain a close liaison with the company.