PhD Energy System integration on North Sea Region Scale

Develop scenarios, models & tools to assess the 2050 North Sea region energy system. Part of an interlinked PhD programme at 4 Dutch universities, RWE and TNO.

This PhD position is part of a larger interlinked PhD programme that is set up as a cooperation between four universities in the Netherlands (RUG, TUD, TU/e and UU), RWE and TNO. This PhD programme is investigating different aspects that are related to the development of the large-scale offshore wind farm – OranjeWind – in the North Sea, about 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast.

The development of the wind farm will take place in the coming years and aims at delivering more than 760 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity (enough to supply the equivalent of almost one million Dutch homes) and will contribute to the Dutch ambitious build-out targets for offshore wind. The offshore windfarm is designed to deliver solutions for the optimal integration of offshore wind farms into the Dutch energy system, with the ultimate goal to perfectly match the demand for energy to the flexible generation profile of offshore wind farms, contributing to grid stability. To unlock full system integration the concept for the wind farm combines offshore wind with electrolyser capacity for green hydrogen production, and other flexible demand solutions like e-boilers and battery storage. Additionally, floating solar panels will allow a more efficient use of ocean space. The six PhD candidates within the programme will independently provide the development of a broad knowledge base on wind energy in the Netherlands and internationally, to support the growth of wind energy by both innovations and deeper knowledge of the (system related) issues at hand.

The system integration requires an interdisciplinary approach and cooperation and exchange with the other five PhD projects is considered conditional. Also, it is expected that the you will work closely together with experts from the applied research institute TNO. A 50% presence at the TNO offices is expected to ensure the anticipated intense cooperation. While at TNO, 100% of the time of the PhD is dedicated to the research programme. The PhD programme itself is part of a larger dissemination and communication program that provides ample opportunity to work together with other stakeholders from academia, research institutes and industry.

In this project you will, building on energy system modelling capabilities available at the project partners, advance the knowledge on how the energy system of the North Sea region countries may be developed over time, considering a very large scale off-shore wind energy deployment (over 400 GW in 2050 is imaginable). Scenarios and tools to assess the feasibility of this development are available, but are often lacking accurate models for new and emerging technologies for grid balancing and system integration offshore, on-shore and a more refined representation of the (very costly) multi-carrier energy infrastructure. Improving those modelling capabilities, as well as spatial and temporal granularity, can often lead to a lower system cost and the computation of faster and more accurate optimal solutions.

The model development should encompass inclusion of a range of technologies for offshore energy storage, mid- and long-term options that can deliver flexible demand, energy infrastructure representation (such as offshore energy islands/hubs, electricity grid layout and hydrogen infrastructure). This also requires spatially explicit modelling and making use of state-of-the-art methods to represent the electricity system in particular, with a view towards integrating with other energy carriers and the entire energy system in general. The models should also offer insights into the distribution of costs and benefits among individual actors and national energy systems in the North Sea ecosystem.

Balancing between data resolution and quality, computational capabilities and the achievable reliability of results, as well as improved insight in the (policy related) uncertainties of the future energy system of the North Sea is a key challenge to manage in the new modelling approach. This PhD project implements new modelling methods and combines them into a working tool (in close collaboration with other PhD projects in this program), capable of generating improved future scenarios that cover a broad spectrum of uncertainty. The tool is demonstrated by  developing and quantifying scenarios for the North Sea energy system of 2050. With such an approach, advanced scenarios and quantified roadmaps can be delivered, that can help policy makers with future optimal planning and roll-out of offshore energy generation capacity.

The PhD project will strongly interact with other PhD projects in this programme, such as on policy analysis, spatial planning, and industrial transformation. You are expected to publish your results in peer-reviewed academic journals as Open Science contributions.

The project is multi-disciplinary in nature and affinity with or interest of working in an interdisciplinary environment is important. Besides that, you bring the following qualifications:

• a relevant MSc degree in Energy, Environmental and/or Innovation sciences, or Electrical/Computer Engineering with a focus on energy systems modelling;
• an interdisciplinary background and proven interest in energy scenario analysis methods, policy analysis, as well as legal and economic aspects;
• excellent skills in writing and speaking English (C1 level).

If you already have a PhD degree, unfortunately, we cannot consider you for this position.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

For more information, please contact Professor Madeleine Gibescu at m.gibescu@uu.nl. 

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

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To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation and your Master’s thesis or other independently written relevant work in English, via the 'apply now' button.