Master's Thesis: Fault Behavior and Protection in MVAC Networks with IBRs

About the role

ABB is offering a single master's thesis position in Västerås, reporting to the R&D Team Lead. The thesis investigates how grid-connected converters behave during faults in medium-voltage AC distribution networks with high penetration of inverter-based resources, and how this affects conventional protection. The work is based on simulation studies and covers the period January to June 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out a literature review on fault types, relay protection functions and converter topologies and control, focusing on fault scenarios.
• Use simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB Simulink and/or PSCAD) to model faults and the behaviour of mixed resources, using ABB-provided converter models.
• Study different grounding concepts, converter control strategies and parameters (current limits, fault ride-through, voltage and frequency control loops, virtual inertia, droop control), and various grid topologies and converter locations.
• Analyze fault currents, voltage profiles and sequence components and their impact on overcurrent, directional and earth fault protection.
• Compare grid-following and grid-forming control concepts and prepare a detailed report of methods, findings and conclusions.
• Possible publication and optional extension: study how protection algorithms are affected by the resulting fault currents.

Required profile

• Enrolled in a Master's programme in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Self-motivated, analytical, well organized, with strong curiosity for research and innovation.

Required skills

• Preferred: experience with power system modelling or electrical circuit simulation tools such as MATLAB Simulink or PSCAD.
• Familiarity with control theory is an advantage.