Postdoc in Synthetic Inertia Provision of Battery Energy Storage

Join us in developing zero-emission synthetic inertia with BESS to stabilize the future grid and shape the next generation of resilient, sustainable energy systems.

Job description

The accelerating transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is significantly reducing system inertia on the electricity grid, traditionally supplied by synchronous generators. This loss of inertia is leading to increased grid instability and a growing number of frequency-related failures. Maintaining sufficient inertia is critical for the secure and resilient operation of the power system.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), when equipped with advanced control algorithms, offer the potential to provide synthetic inertia—mimicking the inertial response of conventional power plants. This approach delivers grid support with zero emissions and low maintenance costs, aligning with decarbonization goals. At the same time, synthetic inertia provision is becoming a monetizable service in an increasing number of electricity markets, presenting new business opportunities for BESS operators.

This postdoctoral position will focus on both technical and economic challenges associated with synthetic inertia from BESS, including but not limited to:

• Accurate quantification of synthetic inertia and system response.
• Modeling and optimization of battery control strategies for inertia provision.
• Assessment of battery degradation and lifecycle costs attributable to synthetic inertia services.
• Integration of synthetic inertia into market mechanisms and grid codes.

The successful candidate will work as part of the BATT-AI project, collaborating with two PhD researchers focused respectively on optimal electricity market participation of BESS and grid congestion management facilitated by BESS.

The postdoc is expected to take a leadership role in research integration and coordination within the project and contribute to joint publications, system modeling, and stakeholder engagement. The project is strongly supported by industry, with collaboration from: Alfen – BESS developer, Stedin – grid operator, Eneco – energy supplier, ENTRNCE – electricity market expertise provider, Kyos – developer of market optimization tools.

This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct high-impact research at the interface of power systems, converter control, battery degradation, and market economics, with direct pathways to real-world application and policy influence.

About the department

The research in ESE Department is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

ESE Department owns the ESP laboratory is actively used for testing of grid integration of power electronics, battery degradation, hardware in loop simultion (HIL), AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring, protection and control.

The DCE&S group is responsible for research and education in the fields of DC systems, energy storage, electronic power conversion (power electronics), electro-mechanics for electric mobility and recently electro-chemical conversion. DC systems is a multidisciplinary field of research, exploring the electronic power conversion of electrical energy for different applications. The group is currently active in applications such as Direct Current distribution grids and microgrids, electrification of mobility (charging of electric vehicles), and renewable generation of electrical energy (such as wind and solar energy) as well as sustainable production of chemicals and fuels through large-scale conversion of renewable electricity into molecular bonds

Job requirements

Essential job requirements:

• Demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, and specifically the interface between battery degradation, converter control, and grid stability.
• Completed a PhD degree in a highly quantitative and analytical discipline (electrical engineering with an emphasis on power electronics, power systems, or battery degradation).
• Very good command of English, in both writing and speaking
• You enjoy performing research. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• You are keen to work with industry partners to link real-world challenges to fundamental research questions.
• Strong knowledge of power converter control and power system stability.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of grid forming and synthetic inertia.
• Knowledge of battery degradation.
• Experience with EMT and HIL simulation.
• Experience with machine learning.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 1 year with prospect of extension of 18 months.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Zian Qin, via z.qin-2@tudelft.nl

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 29 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV.
• Motivational letter.

You can address your application to Dr. Zian Qin.

You will benefit from extensive training in technical and transferrable skills. You will be expected to assist in teaching activities (student supervision, labs) related to your subject area.

You will have access to excellent research facilities in ESP lab

The deadline for applications is 29-06-2025,  at 23:59 CET. The candidates will be screened as the applications arrive and the promissing candidates will be shortlisted and contacted before the closing of this post. 

If you are interested, do not wait to apply, we are happy to schedule an interview while the response period is running. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.