Supervisors: Prof. Fiona Bradley, University of Glasgow, Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, I I T Bombay
PhD Student: David Dunn, University of Glasgow
Status: Closed
This project aims to establish design methods and control algorithms utilising already established PV powered ICT network technologies developed at the University of Strathclyde. The projects aims to establish the feasibility for a modern call centres located in hot climates to become near autonomous in terms of their electricity power generation and utilisation. The project will establish a partnership between the University of Strathclyde’s BRE Centre of Excellence in Energy Utilisation and the IIT Bombay in Mumbai in India. The project will involve researching the requirements for call centres and establishing appropriate design tools to design very low powered DC systems for both lighting and ICT equipment in call centres. The student will spend up to 6 months at IIT and will establish technology demonstrators using lab facilities. The challenge is to fully understand the demand load profiles of call centres and their building services energy needs in both Scotland and India to be able to model the new systems and the building’s performance over the year and to optimise the design to mitigate the need for either expensive, unavailable electricity grid infrastructure or high carbon intensive electricity from the grid.
The student will be required to research and develop the necessary system and building physics modelling and simulation tools and develop highly advanced control algorithms to create the lowest possible cost implementation of these systems to guarantee electricity supply and demand matching in an environment where both are highly uncertain in their dynamic behaviour and causes. The student will develop skills in dynamic modelling and simulation and advanced nonlinear control theory applied to electricity supply and demand matching. Finally, the student will develop practical skills and experience through technology demonstrator projects both in Scotland and India.