Design Optimisation of Brushless Doubly Fed Machines (ABDIJALEBIS_U27EMPSFP2)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 31 July 2026
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Self-funded (Home students only)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of Study
- Full or Part time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Abdi Jalebi Salman (opens in a new window)
Brushless Doubly Fed Machines (BDFMs) are emerging as a promising technology for offshore wind turbine generators due to their fractional-sized power converters, elimination of rotor brushes and slip rings, and simplified gearbox systems compared to high-speed generators. These features offer significant advantages, including lower capital and operational costs, increased reliability, and reduced maintenance demands which are key for the broader adoption of offshore wind energy. However, several challenges must be addressed, such as the machine's relatively low power density and power factor, high vibration levels, and complex magnetic field behavior.
This research project aims to propose design optimisations to enhance the performance of BDFMs and position BDFMs as a competitive alternative to direct drive and medium-speed permanent magnet generators, paving the way for more cost-effective and reliable offshore wind energy systems.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement is 2:1. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics.
Funding
This project is offered on a self-funded basis. It is open to applicants who are self-funded or who are in the process of securing external funding. Details of tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
A bench fee is payable in addition to the tuition fee, to cover the cost of specialist equipment and laboratory facilities required for the research. Applicants should contact the primary supervisor for details of the bench fee applicable to this project.
If you are part of the UEA alumni community, you may be eligible for a tuition fee discount. The UEA Alumni 10% Tuition Fee Discount Scheme(opens in a new window) offers a 10% reduction for eligible alumni, while the and UEA 30% Final Year Undergraduate Continuation Scholarship (opens in a new window)offers a reduction of up to 30% for qualifying applicants. Visit each scholarship page for full eligibility details.
For information on doctoral funding, visit our Postgraduate Student Loans(opens in a new window) page.
References
i)
S. Abdi, R. McMahon, P. Tavner, “Derivation of equivalent circuit rotor current from rotor bar current measurements in brushless doubly fed machine”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, Vol. 39, pp. 2269-2277 , May 2024.
ii)
S. Abdi, E. Abdi, R. McMahon, “A new iron loss model for brushless doubly fed machines with hysteresis and field rotational losses”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol.36, pp. 3221 - 3230, 2021.
iii)
A. Oraee, R. McMahon, S. Abdi, S. Ademi, “Influence of pole pair combinations on the characteristics of the brushless doubly fed induction generator”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 1151-1159, September 2020.
iv)
S. Abdi, E. Abdi, H. Toshani, R. McMahon, “Vibration analysis of brushless doubly fed machines in the presence of rotor eccentricity” IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 1372-1380, September 2020.
v)
S. Abdi, E. Abdi, A. Oraee, R. McMahon, “Optimisation of Magnetic Circuit for Brushless Doubly Fed Machines”, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 1611-1620, December 2015.