The energy transition is driven by the development of new renewable energy generation like offshore wind farms. The integration of large amounts of new renewable energy in the existing energy system is a challenge and requires large changes on the demand side. This includes the development of electrolyzers, demand side management and e-boilers and storage. New technologies have to be developed and ready to be integrated into the system as renewable energy becomes available. In this PhD project, you will combine insights on technological learning with energy systems modelling to study this coordination problem in the context of the OranjeWind wind farm, a new development. You will work in a larger team of PhD students at different universities and closely collaborate with stakeholders.

Background

This PhD position is part of a large cooperative research program between four Dutch universities (RUG, TUD, Tue and UU), RWE and TNO. This PhD program investigates the development of the large-scale offshore wind farm - OranjeWind - in the North Sea, about 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast. OranjeWind will be built 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), contributing 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 positions in the program are to 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 PhD candidate will work closely together with experts from the applied research institute TNO. A 50% presence of the PhD candidate 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 program. The PhD program 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.

Activities

The large-scale development and deployment of wind off-shore electricity production has been very successful in terms of technology development, reducing costs (LCOE) and the development of a strong wind off-shore sector and innovation system, especially between the countries around the North Sea Region. Technological learning of wind-off shore technology has been impressive, and many factors (technical, scale-up, market organization) have contributed to this and will continue to do so in the future. However the upscaling of the North Sea Energy system toward 2050 may encompass 300-400 GWe capacity and there are many challenges in balancing that future system and bringing the produced energy on-shore in the most efficient way. A portfolio of emerging technologies that can contribute to balancing, PtoX (hydrogen and other energy carriers) options and storage options is being developed that can contribute to achieving this. New off-shore wind parks, like OranjeWind, aim to test, develop and optimize such technologies, and this PhD project will analyze the future technological learning potential of those technologies to understand their potential future deployment and role in the energy system as well as what is needed over time to achieve the required and desired performance level.

In methodological terms, the research will combine bottom-up (cost) engineering methods and energy systems modeling, with the innovation science based concepts around technological learning. The insights in individual technologies and systems will be directly relevant for the companies and industry involved (and with who intensive collaboration is foreseen), and advance the state-of-the art in the area of system level learning. This PhD project will have key linkages with the other PhD projects, e.g. with respect to scenario analysis and system modelling, acceleration implementation, etc.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Eindhoven and its metropolitan area are the major hub of the technology sector in the Netherlands, collectively known as the Brainport region. Many global leaders in technology like ASML or Philips are based in the fastest growing region in the Netherlands. The School of Industrial Engineering and its faculty enjoys strong links with the local high-tech industry on all levels.

RWE is one of the largest and prominent players on the European energy market. We are the number two global offshore player. We develop, engineer, construct and operate electrical power producing installations in almost 30 countries. With our passion for technology we are a partner in the energy transition. We achieve this by actively and realistically develop sustainable and innovative solutions. Our objective is to be climate-neutral by 2040 with net zero emissions across scope 1, 2 and 3.

TNO is an independent research organization. We connect people and knowledge to create innovations that boost the sustainable competitive strength of industry and well-being of society. For this purpose, TNO is established by law as legal public entity. The TNO-law allocates certain tasks and responsibilities to TNO while also providing the parameters for the execution. The reasoning behind it is to safeguard TNO's independent position to conduct the research needed to create reliable solutions for the challenges society faces. Parts of TNO will be involved in the mentoring of the PhD projects, like the North Sea energy systems in Utrecht, Wind, solar energy & system integration in Petten, Energy Transition Studies in Amsterdam (large modelling suite, policy, implementation, innovation expertise), and Heat Transfer and Fluid dynamics in Delft (energy infrastructure). Overall an interdisciplinary team at different facilities can be mobilized, providing direct R&D capacity, capabilities and supervision capacity for collaboration with academic partners.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) with excellent grades in Energy Science, electrical Engineering, , or a related field.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to be self-propelling and drive your own research.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,872 max. €3,670).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.