KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. It can look back on a long tradition of pioneering research and high-quality education. Within the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (Electa) division of the Department of Electrical Engineering at KU Leuven, a new but growing research team led by prof. Leonardo Meeus conducts research on the latest developments in European electricity markets using regulatory impact assessments and optimization models. The team collaborates closely with the Electricity Area of the Florence School of Regulation, which focuses on applied research, policy events, and training on the most topical electricity policy and regulatory issues.
Our projects aim to be at the interface between the world of practice and traditional academic research. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment that fosters teamwork and growth.
For more information, visit https://research.kuleuven.be/en/career/phd, https://www.esat.kuleuven.be/electa/information and https://fsr.eui.eu/energy/electricity/.
Project
The recent EU electricity price crisis shed light on the insufficient availability of long-term hedging products for consumers. As a result, the latest Electricity Market Design Reform promotes the uptake of renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). In this dynamic regulatory context, the energy procurement process and portfolio management strategy of large industrial consumers are changing rapidly due to electrification and private investments in renewables and storage. This PhD will examine long-term mechanisms that large industrial consumers can use to reach their decarbonisation targets and hedge against high and volatile market prices. Two key directions will be explored during this PhD:
- Evaluate the potential of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to reduce large industrial consumers’ exposure to market prices and to reach their decarbonisation targets. Different load profiles based on the Belgian industry and various types of PPA portfolios, including solar, wind and storage, will be considered. The analysis consists of two main components: examining the correlation or level of matching between industrial load, renewables and storage, and evaluating the potential costs and performance of various PPA designs based on historical data.
- Assess the impact of different proposals of PPA regulatory frameworks, including centralised platforms for auctions and public guarantee schemes, on the financial flows between market actors. Also the impact of fragmentation or harmonisation of long-term market instruments across Europe will be considered. To achieve this, a techno-economic energy dispatch will be performed (based on existing, open-source optimisation models), to which a financial layer will be developed, as proposed by Zachmann et al. The design of the European electricity market (2023).
Profile
As the ideal candidate:
- You have a Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field, preferably from a reputable institute.
- You are motivated to work independently, as well as in team, on different aspects of long-term market mechanisms for industrial consumers, starting from the Belgian context.
- You are communicative and can express yourself fluently in English, both orally and in writing.
- You are eager to disseminate your research results through scientific publications, stakeholder interactions and conference presentations.
- You are interested in contributing to teaching activities for a limited number of hours.
- You are willing to live in Belgium. The primary workplace would be Electa in Leuven, but telework is possible.
Your background and experiences match the following expectations or allow you to achieve them quickly:
- Have a solid background in the basic features of EU electricity markets and an affinity with EU energy institutes, policy and regulation.
- Become an expert on the latest evolutions in EU energy regulation and market design.
- Gain specific expertise in the design and application of long-term market instruments, such as PPAs.
- Continuously align your project with the latest policy and stakeholder debates.
- Become competent in setting up, analysing and identifying correlations in historical data sets.
- Become proficient in the engineering mathematics required to execute the project, such as optimisation models and data analyses.
- Become highly skilled in the programming languages like Julia and Python, and others if needed.
Offer
This PhD position is part of the Belgian ETF project GALILEO (Maximizing the potential of Industrial flexibility and supporting competitiveness of the Belgian industry), with VITO as a close project partner.
Within this context, we offer:
- A four-year doctoral scholarship starting as soon as possible with a net monthly salary of approximately €2500, leading to a PhD degree in Engineering, if successful.
- Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.).
- A research visit to the Florence School of Regulation in Italy, if desired.
- Guidance from experienced faculty, who will teach you the fundamentals of applied, academic research using different research methodologies.
- Training on research methodologies and soft skills through access to internal and external courses.
- The opportunity to develop a professional network and contribute to the EU regulatory debate by attending conferences and interacting with stakeholders.
- The opportunity to work in a small but ambitious team that encourages personal growth, creativity and taking responsibility.
- The opportunity to gain experience in the role of project management, after a sense of organizational skills have been demonstrated.
Interested?
Applicants should express their interest by applying via the online application.
- Please specify your Master degree (Master specification, University + Country, Year obtained) and Master thesis (Title, Year, Supervisor) in your CV.
- For the motivation letter, please provide a one paragraph statement (up to half an A4 page) explaining the motivation for applying for this vacancy at KU Leuven. We strongly encourage you to have a look at our research group websites.
Candidates who meet the basic eligibility criteria and demonstrate a strong alignment with our research culture will be shortlisted and invited for an interview. Note that if you do not receive an invitation within two weeks, this means you have not been selected for the next stage.
Our selection committee might decide to as soon as a suitable candidate applies, so do not wait till the end date to apply.
For more information regarding our research team and the vacancy, please contact Ellen Beckstedde at ellen.beckstedde@kuleuven.be.
At KU Leuven, we seek to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.