Trailblazers PhD studentships

Coventry University is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship at the Institute for Future Transport and Cities. This is an exciting opportunity in cutting-edge research of second-life usage of EV batteries.

Project details

As the UK moves towards transportation electrification, an emerging challenge is how to deal with potentially millions of retired batteries (RBs) from electric vehicles. In addition, the growing trend of renewable energy usage and transportation electrification has created markets (200GWh by 2030*) for energy storages due to the former and second-life batteries as a result of the latter. Re-use these batteries for grid services is drawing extensive attention from both industry and academia.

Most of previous works focus on how to refurnish the battery unit and use it as stationary storage. However, the low power capacity and the inconsistency are the nature of the RBs, and they are still the main barriers preventing battery repurposing as reliable second-life-packs connected to the grid.

To solve these problems, this project will investigate a hybrid scheme, scaling up the RB cells to high-power hybrid packs, thereby enabling a reliable second-life application of RBs to the renewable grid. This twofold-benefits provide a solution to the UK’s ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas-emissions and offer the new commercial markets as results of extending the battery lifetime usage, attracting a broad spectrum of industries.

Funding

This is a fully-funded studentship including full tuition fees (UK/EU/International) plus stipend (based upon the applicable UKRI rate at the point of the award) and additional allowances.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.

All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

The student will have an exciting opportunity to acquire energy storage skills in both software and hardware operation, to acquire research and development experience in both research institute and industry.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.

PLUS

• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a 3.5 years.
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

In addition

• Having fundamental knowledge of energy storages or power electronics converters;
• Having experience in one or several software used for the power system simulation;
• Having interests in Lab experience

How to apply

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.

To find out more about the project, please contact Dr. Jianwei Li.

Apply to Coventry University