Postdoctoral Fellow in Solar Energy

Vacancy for Postdoctoral Fellow in Solar Energy Meteorology and Grid Integration at UC San Diego

The Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, is seeking one highly qualified scientist as postdoctoral researcher starting immediately. The position is part of Department of Energy (DOE), California Energy Commission (CEC), and California Public Utilities Commission (CSI) funded projects to facilitate solar energy grid integration through solar energy forecasting and power grid modeling. The goal is to avoid or reduce integration costs of high penetration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into the electric grid. Further information about the Kleissl Solar Resources and Forecasting Lab can be found at http://maeresearch.ucsd.edu/kleissl and http://solar.ucsd.edu. 15 PhD students and two postdoc presently conduct their research in the lab.

Forecasts of solar photovoltaic output will be generated for minutes-ahead using sky imagers and hours and days-ahead using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and grid impacts will be modeled with OpenDSS (see related publications at http://maeresearch.ucsd.edu/kleissl/pubs/pubs.html). The successful candidate will work with colleagues at NREL, Sandia National Lab, DOE, utilities, and industry on joint projects and present at national and international conferences such as IEEE Power Engineering Society, American Solar Energy Society, and American Meteorological Society. The postdoctoral fellow will have access to unique solar resource databases and observatories such as 1-sec inverter-level output from the 48 MW Copper Mountain Photovoltaic plant, a solar resource network at UC San Diego including 9 pyranometers, two advanced UCSD sky imagers, cloud speed sensors, a radiometer, an atmospheric profiler, and long-term sky imager deployments in Oklahoma (ARM), Hawai'i, and California.

Strong programming and data analysis skills are required. Experience with one or several of the following would be beneficial:

radiative transfer models (3DRTM)
numerical weather prediction (WRF, PBL schemes, data assimilation)
marine stratocumulus meteorology
image processing (cloudy / clear image segmentation, optical flow)
electric power flow models (OpenDSS, quasi-steady state)
Optimization of inverter or energy storage placement and operation

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (atmospheric science, meteorology, physics, environmental, electrical, or mechanical engineering) that was conferred no more than 4 years ago or have submitted their thesis at the time of appointment. Collaborative opportunities exist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center for Atmospheric Sciences (Prof. Norris), and the research groups of Profs. Coimbra and Arias-Castro.

To apply, please submit a short description of qualifications, CV including list of peer-reviewed publications, and list of three referees by February 28, 2015 to jkleissl@ucsd.edu. Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Jan Kleissl, jkleissl@ucsd.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.