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The transition to a net zero carbon energy system is one of the major challenges facing the world. Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) is a unique project funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Partnership Programme with Irish industry, seeking to address fundamental questions in Energy Systems, Water, Transport, Offshore Wind and Cities and Communities.
New water supply and treatment infrastructure needed as part of climate change mitigation is generally very energy intensive. The NexSys Water Strand aims to enable water utilities to adapt to meet the challenges of net zero carbon energy systems; to enhance the resilience of the water sector to climate-driven hazards and events; to investigate technology gaps for the water-energy interface; and to develop new solutions at building and industry scale to optimise water management in the context of a move to Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0.
The following Water Strand projects will be jointly supervised by Assistant Professor Sarah Cotterill in UCD School of Civil Engineering and Assistant Professor Recep Kaan Dereli and Professor Eoin Casey both in UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering:
(1) Development of approaches to enable demand response in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)
(2) Decentralised Resource and Energy Efficiency: Source Separation
(3) Decentralised Resource and Energy Efficiency: Water Efficiency and Reuse
(4) Innovative technologies with resource recovery and energy systems integration perspectives in wastewater treatment plants.
All four projects are expected to start in September 2022.
What is funded
Fully-funded PhD scholarships are provided through the SFI Partnership Programme “Nexsys”. Each scholarship will be awarded for a maximum period of four years and will include:
• A stipend of €18,500 per annum
• Tuition fees
• A budget for equipment, travel and materials
Duration
4 years, starting in September 2022
Eligibility
Required Skills/ Qualifications / Aptitudes:
- A Masters degree in an appropriate STEM subject such as Civil or Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering or Energy Systems.
- Excellent numerical skills including experience in the use of tools for analyzing data (e.g. Excel, SPSS, Python, Matlab or R).
- Knowledge in Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) and/or General Algebraic Modeling Language (GAMS) and/or Activated Sludge Models (ASMs) is desirable
- Knowledge in mechanistic bioprocess models (ASM1, ASM2d, ASM3, ADM1) and/or data driven models (Fuzzy logic, Neural Networks, etc.) is desirable
- Knowledge of hydrology, urban drainage and hydrological modelling is desirable (e.g. SWMM, InfoWorks etc)
- Interest, or (preferably) experience of the energy and/or wastewater treatment sector(s) including research, industry or the public.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly in relation to report writing and delivering presentations.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
Application Process
A single application is necessary for any of the above projects. Please do not apply for each project separately. Please send the following documents to nexsys.water@gmail.com to apply:
1. A curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages) outlining your educational qualifications, employment history and research interests. It should include the names and contact details of at least two referees.
2. A cover letter (max. 1 page) highlighting why you should be considered for the PhD position taking into account the required skills (below). If you have a particular preference for one of the four projects above, please state this in the cover letter. Please include the project title for reference and your contact details.
The deadline for applications is Monday 11th April 2022 at 17:00 Irish time.
Project Detail:
(1) Development of approaches to enable demand response in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)
Lead Supervisor: Dr Recep Kaan Dereli, Co-Supervisor: Dr Sarah Cotterill
Context: This project explores the potential of demand-response, i.e. demand shedding and shifting, in the water industry. A realistic hydrologic and hydraulic model that is capable of modelling both hydrology of a catchment and hydraulic behavior of pipes will be developed to simulate run-off and sewer system flow. The model will utilize future precipitation and temperature estimations of climate and weather forecast models. The model predictions will be used to develop strategies for integrated operation of sewer network and WWTP to optimize both effluent quality and energy cost.
(2) Decentralised Resource and Energy Efficiency: Source Separation
Lead Supervisor: Dr Sarah Cotterill, Co-Supervisor: Dr Recep Kaan Dereli
Context: This project explores the circular management and efficient use of water, waste, energy and resources at the commercial building scale. This includes investigating options for source separation to enable decentralised treatment and re-use of separated waste streams, such as urine and/or grey water. The PhD candidate will evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of source separation technologies and assess their impact on the circular management of resources.
(3) Decentralised Resource and Energy Efficiency: Water Efficiency and Reuse
Lead Supervisor: Dr Sarah Cotterill, Co-Supervisor: Dr Recep Kaan Dereli
Context: This project explores whether reducing building water use provides an opportunity to reduce energy consumption. Buildings are the second largest consumers of energy after transport in Ireland and account for over a third of all CO2 emissions. The engineered water cycle is energy intensive at every stage. The PhD candidate will develop a holistic model extending from buildings (where the water is consumed and transformed to wastewater) to sewage treatment plants (located at the end of the pipe) to evaluate the use of water and energy, and better inform their management.
(4) Innovative technologies with resource recovery and energy systems integration perspectives in wastewater treatment plants.
Lead Supervisor: Prof. Eoin Casey, Co-Supervisor Dr Sarah Cotterill
Context: This project involves the development of a system-wide model exploring the wastewater-energy nexus. WWTPs are typically large consumers of energy. As a result of more resource recovery and energy efficiency drivers, it is now possible to operate WWTPs with energy neutrality. This is due to the deployment of new processes and technologies including high rate activated sludge, aerobic granulation, membranes, improved aeration systems amongst others. The PhD candidate will conduct mass and energy balances, thermodynamic calculations and carbon footprint calculations to investigate the overall impact of these technologies on the greenhouse gas emissions of the wastewater treatment sector.
All PhD projects are expected to begin in September 2022.
