Combined study

4 years

prof. RNDr. Vladimír Aubrecht, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Aubrecht, CSc.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Petr Mastný, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Drápela, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Pavel Vorel, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Ondřej Vítek, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Petr Toman, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
prof. Ing. Radomír Goňo, Ph.D.
Ing. Petr Modlitba, CSc.
prof. Ing. Aleš Richter, CSc.
Ing. Zdeněk Wolf

The doctor study programme is devoted to the preparation of the high quality scientific and research specialists in various branches of power electronics, control technology, design of electrical machines, electric power generation and distribution, and electric power utilization.
The aim is to provide the doctor education in all these particular branches to students educated in university magister study, to make deeper their theoretical knowledge, to give them also requisite special knowledge and practical skills and to teach them methods of scientific work.

The goal of the postgradual doctoral (PhD) study of the program "Power Systems and Power Electronics" is the education for scientific work in the area of power electrical engineering and power systems. Graduates of PhD find occupation either as scientific or research workers including industrial development, either as university teachers and in higher manager functions as well.

The graduate of the doctor study program "Power Systems and Power Electronics" obtains broad knowledge of subject of high power engineering. The knowledge is built mainly on theoretical background of the subject. Moreover, the graduate will obtain deep special knowledge aimed in direction of his/her thesis. The graduate will be able to perform scientific and/or applied research based on up to date theoretical knowledge. The graduate will be able to organize and lead a team of researchers in the studied subject.

Doctoral studies are carried out according to the individual study plan, which is prepared by the supervisor in the beginning of the study in cooperation with the doctoral student. The individual curriculum specifies all the duties determined in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Rules, which the doctoral student must fulfill to successfully finish his studies. These responsibilities are time-bound throughout the study period, they are scored and fixed at fixed deadlines.
Students will write and pass tests of obligatory subject Exam in English before the state doctoral examination, compulsory elective courses in view of the focus of his dissertation, whereas at least two are selected from: Mathematical Modelling of Electrical Power Systems, New Trends and Technologies in Power System Generation, Selected problems from power electronics and electrical drives, Topical Issues of Electrical Machines and Apparatus), and at least two optional subjects (English for PhD students; Quoting in Scientific Practice; Resolving Innovation Assignments; Scientific Publishing from A to Z).
The student may enroll for the state doctoral exam only after all the tests prescribed by his / her individual study plan have been completed. Before the state doctoral exam, the student draws up a dissertation thesis describing in detail the aims of the thesis, a thorough evaluation of the state of knowledge in the area of the dissertation solved, or the characteristics of the methods it intends to apply in the solution.
The defense of the controversy that is opposed is part of the state doctoral exam. In the next part of the exam, the student must demonstrate deep theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of electrical engineering, electronics, electrical machines, and electrical apparatus. The state doctoral examination is in oral form and, in addition to the discussion on the dissertation thesis, it also consists of thematic areas related to compulsory and compulsory elective subjects.
To defend the dissertation, the student reports after the state doctoral examination and after fulfilling conditions for termination, such as participation in teaching, scientific and professional activity (creative activity) and at least a monthly study or work placement at a foreign institution or participation in an international creative project.

The doctoral studies of a student follow the Individual Study Plan (ISP), which is defined by the supervisor and the student at the beginning of the study period. The ISP is obligatory for the student, and specifies all duties being consistent with the Study and Examination Rules of BUT, which the student must successfully fulfill by the end of the study period. The duties are distributed throughout the whole study period, scored by credits/points and checked in defined dates. The current point evaluation of all activities of the student is summarized in the “Total point rating of doctoral student” document and is part of the ISP. At the beginning of the next study year the supervisor highlights eventual changes in ISP. By October, 15 of each study year the student submits the printed and signed ISP to Science Department of the faculty to check and archive.
Within the first four semesters the student passes the exams of compulsory, optional-specialized and/or optional-general courses to fulfill the score limit in Study area, and concurrently the student significantly deals with the study and analysis of the knowledge specific for the field defined by the dissertation thesis theme and also continuously deals with publishing these observations and own results. In the follow-up semesters the student focuses already more to the research and development that is linked to the dissertation thesis topic and to publishing the reached results and compilation of the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the second year of studies the student passes the Doctor State Exam, where the student proves the wide overview and deep knowledge in the field linked to the dissertation thesis topic. The student must apply for this exam by April, 30 in the second year of studies. Before the Doctor State Exam the student must successfully pass the exam from English language course.
In the third and fourth year of studies the student deals with the required research activities, publishes the reached results and compiles the dissertation thesis. As part of the study duties is also completing a study period at an abroad institution or participation on an international research project with results being published or presented in abroad or another form of direct participation of the student on an international cooperation activity, which must be proved by the date of submitting the dissertation thesis.
By the end of the winter term in the fourth year of study the students submit the elaborated dissertation thesis to the supervisor, who scores this elaborate. The final dissertation thesis is expected to be submitted by the student by the end of the fourth year of studies.
In full-time study form, during the study period the student is obliged to pass a pedagogical practice, i.e. participate in the education process. The participation of the student in the pedagogical activities is part of his/her research preparations. By the pedagogical practice the student gains experience in passing the knowledge and improves the presentation skills. The pedagogical practice load (exercises, laboratories, project supervision etc.) of the student is specified by the head of the department based on the agreement with the student’s supervisor. The duty of pedagogical practice does not apply to students-payers and combined study program students. The involvement of the student in the education process within the pedagogical practice is confirmed by the supervisor in the Information System of the university.

1. round (applications submitted from 01.04.2026 to 30.04.2026)

1. Coordinated Multi-Layer Reactive Power Management under Evolving Power System Conditions

   Reactive power management in power systems has traditionally relied on a hierarchical and largely centralized approach, based on reactive power minimization at lower voltage levels and control by large synchronous generators at transmission levels. This paradigm has been effective under predominantly inductive system conditions and centralized generation structures. However, ongoing transformations of power systems—characterized by increasing penetration of distributed generation, converter-based technologies, active demand, and extensive cabling of networks—are fundamentally altering reactive power behavior and availability. These changes lead to a progressive shift towards capacitive characteristics in distribution networks, increased occurrence of extreme operating conditions (e.g., network unloading), and a reduction in reactive power control capability at transmission levels due to the displacement of conventional generation. At the same time, significant reactive power potential is emerging in distributed resources, converter-based demand, and industrial installations, which is currently only partially utilized and poorly coordinated.

   The dissertation focuses on the development of a coordinated, multi-layer framework for reactive power management that integrates structural settings (e.g., device-level power factor behavior), distributed flexibility (e.g., distributed generation and demand-side resources), and system-level control (e.g., network compensation devices and control schemes). Particular attention is given to the coordination between transmission and distribution systems, including the definition of roles, control strategies, and allocation principles.

   The objective is to propose methodologies for effective utilization and coordination of reactive power resources under evolving system conditions, including the formulation of planning approaches, control concepts, and potential regulatory and market implications. The expected contribution lies in enabling a transition from the traditional single-layer approach to a coordinated architecture capable of maintaining voltage stability and operational reliability in future power systems.

   The topic is part of a broader research direction focused on reactive power management in modern power systems and builds upon ongoing research and development of ancillary services provided by large active front-end (AFE) converters. The research will be carried out in close cooperation with power system operators. The doctoral study is also expected to include a research stay at a selected international institution, for example at the University of Campania, Italy. Contact: drapela@vut.cz.

   Supervisor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Integration of storage systems into the concept of electricity system support

   With the change in the energy mix concept and the increase in the share of stochastic sources (wind and photovoltaic plants), the concept of stability of the supply of electricity and its quality is closely connected. The topic is focused on the possibilities of accumulating electrical energy produced from renewable sources using modern technologies, with a focus on chemical accumulation and the use of pumped water power plants. The output of the work will be a proposal for measures in the energy system, which will solve the time disproportion between the supply and withdrawal of electricity from renewable sources and a proposal for a conceptual-technical solution for a selected part of the system in the Czech Republic. The solution is combined with modeling on a PC and experimental measurement on a functional model. The issue will be resolved in cooperation with the relevant CEZ division. It is assumed that the doctoral student will be involved in solving research projects in this area (Eco&Store). Part of the doctoral studies will be an internship at a foreign research institution (the TalTech university is pre-negotiated).

   Supervisor: Mastný Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Mathematical model of contact material erosion in power switching devices

   A set of measurements with various contact pairs will be carried out in order to obtain necessary input data for creation of appropriate mathematical model of contact erosion. Dependence of contact erosion rate on parameters of switching circuit (current, voltage, power factor) for various operational states (rated operational power, overload, short circuits) will be acquired. Within the frame of Ph.D. theses, methodology of contact erosion assessment will be proposed. In the end, the mathematical model will be verified with real behavior of device contact systems. The results of research will be continuously presented in relevant scientific conferences (e.g. Symposium on Physics of Switching Arc, etc.) and in the form of articles in pertinent journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science. As a part of the study, internship in the selected foreign institute will be undertaken.

   Supervisor: Aubrecht Vladimír, prof. RNDr., CSc.

4. Resilience of Power Distribution Networks to Flood Hazards

   The topic focuses on research into methods for modelling, simulation, and quantitative assessment of the resilience of electrical power distribution networks to flood hazards. The aim of the work is to analyse the impact of different types of flooding (widespread inundation, local flooding, extreme rainfall events, and failure of protective structures) on the operational reliability of distribution networks, identify critical network components, and quantify the risk of outages, including their temporal progression and the restoration of supply.

   The research will utilise detailed topological and operational models of distribution networks, which will be integrated into a simulation environment linking power system and hydrological models. Flood scenarios will be described using spatial data (GIS, DTM/DEM) and flood characteristics, which will be mapped onto individual elements of the electrical infrastructure. Probabilistic and statistical methods will be employed to assess the vulnerability and failure of network components, including fragility curves and recovery models.

   Emphasis will be placed on computationally efficient formulations enabling large sets of scenarios to be analysed (e.g. Monte Carlo simulations and parametric studies) and allowing the effectiveness of preventive or adaptive measures to be compared. The resulting models will be validated using historical flood events as well as synthetic scenarios developed in cooperation with distribution network operators.

   The work will also include an analysis of cascading failure effects within the distribution network, particularly the propagation of outages resulting from interdependencies between network components and their reliance on other types of critical infrastructure.

   The doctoral topic is conducted within the research project “FloodCOSIM”, which focuses on modelling the impacts of floods on critical infrastructure. The doctoral programme will also include a research placement at a foreign research institution.

   Supervisor: Toman Petr, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Smart Meter Data Utilisation for State Estimation and Advanced Analysis in Distribution Networks

   Motivation and Context

   Modern distribution systems are equipped with a increasing number of smart meters that collect operational data at large scale. This data represents a largely untapped potential for network monitoring and analysis. A fundamental limitation, however, is the insufficient metrological quality of conventional smart meters — these devices are primarily designed for billing purposes, and their measurements are subject to non-negligible uncertainty and systematic errors. Alongside smart meters, specialised power quality analysers with superior metrological characteristics are deployed in distribution systems, but their numbers remain limited for economic reasons.

   Objectives

   The main objective is to develop a methodological framework for processing heterogeneous data sources from distribution systems, with explicit consideration of their differing metrological quality. The core of the work will be the application of State Estimation (SE) methods, which allow measurements of varying accuracy to be integrated into a consistent representation of the network operating state. The framework will include systematic categorisation of measuring devices according to their metrological properties and analysis of uncertainty propagation into estimation results. Beyond SE, the work will focus on supporting algorithms utilising smart meter data — including phase identification, load profile analysis, and bad data detection.

   Scientific Contribution

   The work will be approached with emphasis on academic rigour, while assuming practical applicability of the outputs. The candidate will systematically address uncertainty analysis of the proposed algorithms — sensitivity of the methods to measurement uncertainties, the influence of systematic instrument errors, and the practical limits of achievable accuracy. The outcome will be a quantification of the most significant factors affecting the accuracy of analyses in a real distribution network, applicable both for formulating requirements for metering infrastructure (input for procurement specifications) and for interpreting results under conditions of economically constrained measurement quality.

   Collaboration and Expected Activities

   The work assumes collaboration with industrial partners developing software for the energy sector and with distribution system operators. Research stays at partner universities abroad, participation in specialised conferences (AMPS, ICHQP), and involvement in related research projects, including project TS01020006, are expected.

   Supervisor: Drápela Jiří, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Utilization of real-time simulation for advanced protection systems design

   New technologies of power system behavior research during transient phenomena open the area of advanced analysis focused to large protection systems operation during faults. The main aim of this dissertation is to extend possibilities of real time simulator RTDS about simultaneous tests in real time including real devices – hardware in the loop simulation. An internship at foreign university is included. Topic is include into research project “Control, protection and cost effective operation of distribution and industrial power systems” in frame of National Centre for Energy II.

   Supervisor: Toman Petr, prof. Ing., Ph.D.