Master Thesis - Green Hydrogen Demand in Germany: Analyzing Price Elasticity in a Sector-Coupled Energy System Model

Your Job:

Germany has committed to becoming greenhouse gas neutral by 2045. This ambitious climate goal will require significant efforts across all sectors to reduce emissions and transition to sustainable energy sources. Green hydrogen has an important role to play in replacing fossil fuels in areas where electrification is either not feasible or not economically viable. However, the use of hydrogen is influenced by several factors. Besides political targets and alternative technological pathways, hydrogen price is a key demand driver. This relationship can be described by demand curves that reflect how hydrogen demand varies with price. The price sensitivity of hydrogen in the energy system varies across sectors and technologies, reflecting their unique economic and operational characteristics. Understanding these issues is critical to developing effective policies and strategies that contribute to a sustainable energy system. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the sensitivity of hydrogen demand in different sectors of the energy system and to derive demand curves for Germany. The focus is on quantifying the effects of different hydrogen prices on future demand using the existing Python-based energy system model ETHOS.NESTOR. Specifically, this includes the following tasks:

• Research on methods for estimating green hydrogen demand curves
  
• Research on the price sensitivity of green hydrogen
  
• Familiarization with the national energy system model ETHOS.NESTOR and, if necessary, extension by additional required technologies
  
• Development and application of a methodology to derive hydrogen demand curves
  
• Development of scenarios based on different hydrogen price paths
  
• Analysis of the price sensitivity of hydrogen demand and identification of key technologies and sectors
  

Your Profile:

• Very good performance in your Master’s degree in the field of energy technology, engineering, environmental sciences, renewable energies, economics or a comparable degree
  
• Interest in the current energy transition, energy technology and economics
  
• Interest in analyzing the role and deployment of green hydrogen
  
• You already have some experience in data analysis and programming with Python
  
• Fluent in written and spoken English or German
  
• Highly motivated, with the ability to work independently and analytically
  
• You have a high level of self-organization and time management skills
  

Our Offer:

We work on the latest issues affecting our society and offer you the opportunity to be an active part of the change! We support you with:

• Collaboration in a highly motivated and international working group in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
  
• An excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• Continuous professional support from your academic supervisor
  
• The option to publish in a scientific journal as a co-author
  
• Excellent technical equipment for successful work in home office or on site in Jülich
  
• Flexible working hours and appropriate remuneration
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/Benefits

The position is initially for a fixed term of 6 months.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.