Vacancies at Garrad Hassan

Control Algorithm Designer

Garrad Hassan is the world’s largest independent technical and engineering consultancy for renewable energy. We are the recognised global authority on onshore and offshore wind power and also serve the wave, tidal and solar sectors. An opportunity exists in our Control group for a Control Algorithm Designer. The primary focus of this role is to design and develop control algorithms for modern commercial wind turbines. The role is based in our Bristol office with opportunities to work in the Netherlands after an appropriate induction period at Bristol.

Key aspects of the work include:

• Analysis of non-linear wind turbine dynamic structures.
• Creation of power production control loops for variable speed pitch regulated wind turbines.
• Iterating non-linear algorithm features and supervisory control policies in conjunction with non-linear time domain wind turbine simulation tools.
• Establishing verifiable trade-offs between structural loads and energy capture.
• Generating formal wind turbine certification loads in accordance with prevailing standards.
• Providing correspondence and documentation sufficient to explain all aspects of the design work.

Control algorithm development at GH uses predominantly a combination of in-house tools, Matlab and Microsoft C/C++ development tools.

The majority of GH control system contracts are with new or established wind turbine manufacturers sometimes requiring algorithm design only and sometimes algorithm design, software and commissioning support. GH is also involved with control algorithm projects for novel wind and marine technologies, and UK & European Community research projects.

The post would suit an individual with a background in applied mathematics and experience with control algorithm design in an academic or industrial context.

Requirements:

• At least an upper second class degree or equivalent in mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or similar numerate subject. Post graduate qualification preferred.
• Expert knowledge of classical control theory and transfer function analysis.
• Good knowledge of modern control theory and state space methods.
• Familiarity with linear systems and frequency domain analysis.
• Expert Matlab user.
• Ability to demonstrate adaptability and swift proficiency in new skills.
• Ability to plan and organise own workload.
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
• English language report writing.
• Ability to demonstrate a motivation to move into the rapidly developing world of renewable energy.

The control team is a part of the turbine design department based in our UK Bristol offices. The working environment is technically demanding and fast-paced with staff working across a wide range of active projects and simultaneously planning technology paths for future work.

The successful candidate will become part of a high calibre multi-disciplinary team which is sought after in the industry to conduct leading edge prototype development for renewable energy devices. Relying on agile processes and a high level of expertise this team has undertaken projects with a huge range of manufacturers and research institutes around the world and is now widely regarded as the industry’s foremost wind and marine current turbine control design centre.

GH supplies control system design, software, technology transfer and testing services to the turbine manufacturers during their prototype turbine development phase. The service is delivered as consultancy with the intention that the client takes responsibility of series production adaptation and long term support.

Closing date: 26th March 2010.