General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DES-26-0651
Thesis topic details
Category
Technological challenges
Thesis topics
Intelligent control and optimization of DC microgrids using digital twins in real-time simulation
Contract
Thèse
Job description
This thesis addresses the challenge of decarbonizing industrial and territorial systems by proposing a transition to direct current (DC) microgrids controlled by a Digital Twin. Faced with the saturation of alternating current (AC) grids due to the growth of photovoltaics, energy storage, and electric mobility, DC allows for a reduction in conversion losses (5 to 15%), improved flexibility, and a simplification of the electrical architecture.
The project is based on the development of a high-fidelity Digital Twin synchronized in real-time simulation. More than just a monitoring tool, it acts as a proactive decision-making system integrating advanced optimization algorithms, such as artificial intelligence and predictive control. It anticipates voltage instabilities, which are particularly critical in low-inertia DC grids, and continuously optimizes power flows to maximize self-consumption while preserving battery life.
Experimental validation relies on a Hardware-in-the-Loop approach within the CEA-Liten/G2Elab ecosystem, integrating physical converters. This methodology guarantees robustness, security, and resilience before any real-world deployment.
The expected outcomes are scientific (stability and real-time modeling), operational (provision of technical guides and decision-making tools), and strategic (strengthening French technological sovereignty in Smart Grids and accelerating the 2050 carbon neutrality trajectory advocated by ADEME).
University / doctoral school
Electronique, Electrotechnique, Automatique, Traitement du Signal (EEATS)
Université Grenoble Alpes
Thesis topic location
Site
Grenoble
Requester
Position start date
01/12/2026
Person to be contacted by the applicant
TRAN Quoc-Tuan
QuocTuan.TRAN@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DTS//LIRE
INES
50 avenue du lac Léman
73375 Le Bourget-du-lac
04 79 79 22 31
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
TRAN Quoc-Tuan
QuocTuan.TRAN@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DTS//LIRE
INES
50 avenue du lac Léman
73375 Le Bourget-du-lac
04 79 79 22 31
En savoir plus
https://liten.cea.fr/cea-tech/liten/Pages/CEA-Liten/HDR/TRAN-Quoc-Tuan.aspx