PhD Position on the Energy Transition – Business Dynamics of Decentral Flexibility Designs
Job Description
Decentralized flexibility is pivotal to the energy transition. Numerous companies, start-ups, pilot projects, and not-for-profit organizations offer decentral flexibility solutions to integrate renewable energies, provide storage capacity, balancing power and resilience for electricity grids. Decentral flexibility designs include, among others, peer-to-peer energy trading, flexibility aggregation of home batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, as well as energy communities. These designs represent different pathways to achieving decentralized flexibility, each offering distinct benefits. While some of these designs have proved successful, others have not.
This PhD project investigates the systemic factors that cause decentral flexibility designs to succeed or fail in European energy markets. The aim is to analyse whether a convergence towards certain designs can be expected and where tipping in the diffusion could emerge. The PhD thesis should result in a set of policy recommendations for companies and governments to further stimulate the spreading of decentral flexibility. A mixed-method approach is foreseen for the PhD thesis. The methods applied in this PhD project are a market and literature review, System Dynamics modelling, and empirical analysis.
The candidate is expected to contribute to the stimulating intellectual environment at the Faculty of Technology, Policy, and Management at TU Delft and to support its portfolio of teaching and knowledge transfer activities. Supervision of the PhD project will be shared by Dr. Özge Okur and Dr. Merla Kubli, with Prof. Dr. Martijn Warnier as the promotor.
Job Requirement
- Master’s degree in Engineering and Policy Analysis, Complex System Engineering, Sustainable Energy Technologies, System Dynamics, or a similar degree related to energy transition, sustainability, or management.
- Methodological experience in System Dynamics modelling or strong willingness to develop such skills.
- Strong interest in the energy transition, in particular decentral flexibility and energy communities.
- Affinity with qualitative research and/or empirical surveys.
- Curiosity to research complex socio-technical systems, professionalism to engage in transdisciplinary collaborations and ability to manage a long-term research project.
- Proficiency in English, including strong writing skills. Dutch language skills are welcome but not mandatory.
- Open communication and team player qualities.
Application Deadline: 3. January 2025
Complete vacancy text and further application instructions: https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-on-the-Energy-Transition-Business-Dynamics-of-Decentral-Flexibility-Designs-2628-CD/808350402/