OPTIMISATION OF THE LIFE CYCLE CIRCULARITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS THROUGH THE ECODESIGN OF POWER ELECTRONICS

The long-term ambition of the European Union (EU) is to become the world´s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, as highlighted in the European Green Deal and demonstrated by the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation framework and legally binding goals set in the European Climate Law. This includes a target of reducing net GHG emission by 55% in 2030 as compared to 1990.

The deployment of renewable energy sources is, therefore, instrumental for a sustainable energy transition for GHG emissions mitigation. However, these technologies and components (such as power converters) are material-intensive and contribute to life cycle environmental impacts. Thus, renewable energy technologies, components and supporting infrastructures must be designed, developed and managed in the most sustainable possible way through the implementation of circular economy criteria to optimise resource efficiency and environmental performance. This involves a better understanding of design options, resource requirements, use performance and end-of-life alternatives of technology components to identify the most suitable life cycle management strategies.

Consequently, the main goal of this PhD thesis is to support the eco-design of power converters for application in onshore and offshore wind and solar energy production systems through the assessment of the circularity and life cycle environmental performance of a number of technology innovations. This PhD thesis will be funded by the Horizon Europe SiC4GRID project (gathering international academic and industrial partners) that has been recently launched (October 2022): https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101075496.

The student would join the Research Group of Circular Economy and Industrial Sustainability (CEIS) in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Mondragon (Basque Country, Spain). CEIS is a young dynamic research group that integrates experts from the fields of industrial product design, industrial organisation and production, environmental engineering, corporate social responsibility, and innovation and business management who work closely with industries, business associations and public organisations to facilitate a sustainable energy transition and circular economy deployment. More specifically, the research group works on four major lines of research and innovation: i) circular and sustainable design of products and technologies, ii) circular and sustainable industrial manufacturing, iii) technology-enabled circular and sustainable business models, and iv) circularity and sustainability assessment methodologies, tools and indicators.

Position details

• Researcher profile: First Stage Researcher (R1).
• Research field: Circular Economy, Eco-design, Eco-Innovation, Environmental Technologies, Life Cycle Assessment, Material Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Sustainability Indicators.
• Type of contract: 3 years (36 months)
• Job status: Full time
• Hours per week: 40
• Application Deadline: 17-03-2023 (CET, GMT+01:00)
• Starting date: March-April 2023.
• Is the job funded through an EU Research Framework Programme? (YES)
  • Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme; Climate, Energy and Mobility.
  • Reference number: Grant agreement ID: 101075496.

Some relevant skills acquired after completing the PhD project

• Project management and development
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Fundamental and action research
• High understanding of circular economy and industrial sustainability concepts and strategies
• Expertise in the development and application of circularity, eco-design and life cycle assessment methods, tools and indicators
• Expertise in the publication of journal papers (preparation, submission, revision)
• Expertise in the participation to international conferences (oral presentations)
• Expertise in the participation to international project meetings and research stays
• Planification, organisational, communication and networking skills

Hiring Organisation & Offer Posting Contact Details

• Organization: Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Faculty of Engineering.
• Research group: Circular Economy and Industrial Sustainability.
• Organisation type: Higher Education Institute
• Location: 20500, Arrasate-Mondragon, Gipuzkoa, SPAIN
• Contact email: jmfernandez@mondragon.edu.
• Phone: +34943794700

How to apply

• Option 1: Send an email to Dr. Joan Manuel F. Mendoza (jmfernandez@mondragon.edu) before February 5, 2022 with subject “ECSI – SiC4GRID application” and include the following documents:
  1. Complete CV
  2. Motivation letter
  3. Recommendation letter would be also appreciated (although not essential)
• Option 2: Fill up the application forms in the online job application platforms (e.g. Talents Clue, Euraxess, Science.eus, LinkedIn).

For more information, please contact Joan Manuel F. Mendoza.