PhD in Spatial aspects and energy infrastructure in energy system modelling (1.0 FTE)

Today, society is facing a multitude of challenges to come to a sustainable society. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges and accelerating the energy transition and realizing a circular economy is prioritized by many countries and stakeholders. Spatial aspects and impacts are very important in the energy transition, for example by the large(r) footprints of renewables, connecting fluctuation renewable electricity supplies to demand and ongoing system integration and sector coupling. This makes the spatial layout of the energy system and, as a key component the energy infrastructure a critical and complex matter. Although a range of tools and methods exist to analyse such aspects, the full incorporation of spatial aspects in advanced and detailed energy system models remains a challenge.
In this project you will help develop a joint modelling approach in collaboration with other PhD and senior researchers. Your project is focused on advancing energy system modelling capabilities with spatial characteristics, in particular with respect to improving the way in which future energy infrastructure capacity can and should be developed. Although various modelling tools to cover spatial representation of (renewable) energy demand and supply and simulation of energy infrastructure are available, integrated analyses that encompass the major changes in the entire energy system of the coming decades (including uncertainties) and all energy infrastructure elements (electricity, hydrogen, CO2, heat, etc.) are rare.

This project will build on existing energy system modelling tools on national, regional and well as international level, high quality databases (GIS) and dedicated energy infrastructure modelling tools, to develop and apply an improved approach to cover the mentioned elements. With such capabilities, the required and desired planning and roll out of future energy infrastructure can be better understood, optimized and implemented. This will allow to connect the gained insights to other parallel projects within the programme that focuses on modelling the energy and climate transition. The PhD-project is part of the programme KCET, which aims to generate integrated insights for the energy transition between TNO, Utrecht University, and other partners, You will closely collaborate with other PhD researchers in this programme and staff from the participating institutions.