Phd Interdisc. Approaches to Safe, Sustainable and

3 maanden geleden


Groningen, Nederland Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Voltijd

Background
Hydrogen as an energy carrier can play a crucial role in the transition towards a renewable energy system. Its ability to decarbonize various sectors such as transportation, power generation, and energy-intensive industries like chemicals and steel makes it highly valuable. Moreover, large-scale hydrogen storage can address one of the main challenges in the energy transition: intermittency. The intermittency of renewable energy production arises from seasonal variations in light and wind speed. It is very critical especially when combined with fluctuating energy demand throughout the year, which can lead to surplus or deficit of renewable energy.

The Netherlands increasingly considers hydrogen as a key solution to reduce its natural gas dependence and effectively tackle intermittency challenges. As the country actively pursues an economy relying more on hydrogen, it also recognizes the need for hydrogen storage: Without seasonal energy storage, renewable energy alone will not be sufficient to meet the energy demands of the entire hydrogen economy. However, to date, there are no large-scale renewable energy storage facilities in the Netherlands. There are subsurface storage options such as salt caverns, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and deep saline aquifers with the potential for storing large volumes of hydrogen with high discharge capacities. These would enable the storage of energy in the range of gigawatt-hours (GWh) to terawatt-hours (TWh) for periods ranging from weeks to months. Currently, Dutch hydrogen storage plans are focused on utilizing salt caverns near Zuidwending, operated by Gasunie. However, there have been no discussions regarding sites for hydrogen storage in porous media, such as depleted gas reservoirs. This is mainly due to concerns regarding potential leakage from such storage sites and the negative public perception following societal concerns related to subsurface utilization in the Netherlands, specifically regarding the Groningen gas field subsidence and associated earthquakes. In the meantime, ongoing experiments assess opportunities to make Groningen a key hydrogen hub of the Netherlands, while recent studies confirm that Groningen may play a key role in Dutch hydrogen electrolysis, reaching up to levels of 620 Peta Joules. Exactly in one of the most contested Dutch regions, therefore, pressure on subsurface storage may become high. Assessing opportunities and constraints for hydrogen storage from a risk and societal perspective has become of crucial societal importance for the Netherlands.

Within the project expertise in geological sciences with the socio-spatial dimensions on the hydrogen debate are synthesised to explore energy justice considerations and develop frameworks and models that will help decision makers.

The main objectives of the project will be to
- Develop a standardized hydrogen storage risk evaluation protocol to identify the risk levels of potential storage sites.
- Analyze socio-spatial characteristics of potential storage sites, including public perception, land use, and energy justice considerations.
- Employ multi-criteria optimization models to identify a portfolio of storage locations that minimize cost and risk while maximizing sustainability.
- Contribution to teaching is expected.

Organization
The University of Groningen has an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 35,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, we are truly an international place of knowledge.

**Qualifications**:
The successful applicant will hold a relevant MSc degree in geoscience, environmental sciences, geography, engineering, data analysis or a related field. Strong analytical and research skills, with an affinity for modelling or multi-criteria optimization are preferred, and experience in GIS, socio-spatial methods or risk assessment is welcomed.

Due to the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the project, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the desire to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment, are an essential requirement.

Equal opportunities
We are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented student will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.

**Organisation**:
**Conditions of employment**:

- A full-time (1.0 FTE) position for four years.
- A salary of € 2,872 gr


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