”Research is exciting and gratifying”
Daphne Schwanz is a PhD student in Electric Power Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, where she studies the impact of wind power plants when connected into the public grid.
– Before connecting a wind power plant into the public grid, several studies are needed by the network operator to quantify how the power grid is affected. Disturbances, as the harmonics, on the main grid can damage the devices that are connected. Therefore, it is important to investigate the challenges and solutions that remain in this area, both within the wind power plant, and its impact on the public grid.
New projects give new challenges
Daphne Schwanz is from Brazil where she graduated in Energy Engineering and Sustainable Development. In parallel with her studies, she worked as an engineering intern at the National Electric Energy Agency. She then proceeded with a master in Electrical Engineering before starting as a doctoral student in Electric Power Engineering at Luleå University of Technology. Working as a PhD student is something she enjoys a lot.
– Research is exciting, you always learn because new projects involve new challenges and new results. The part that is most fun is when you find interesting results and from the discussions that follow can sometimes lead to new projects. The hardest part of doing research is to be patient when something goes wrong, says Daphne Schwanz.
Learn from the best
On the question of what advice she can give to someone who considers working as a PhD student Daphne answers:
– Research is about being patient, curious and open to challenges and new findings. Being a PhD student is gratifying because you work in a subject that you are interested in and you learn from the best researchers in the area. I would also say that when you finish your studies, you are ready to start your research career and inspire new students in your subject.