Hybrid heat pumps will become the standard for heating homes in the Netherlands after 2026 in order to reduce the consumption of natural gas. However, due to the rapid uptake of hybrid heat pumps, combined with the proliferation of photovoltaic installations and the electrification of the transport sector, it is expected that congestion in the low-voltage (LV) distribution system will occur more often. Therefore, it is important to investigate how and to what extent collective control of behind-the-meter hybrid heat pumps can be achieved to provide flexibility. This PhD position is part of a multi-partner project that aims to develop technology based on an open standard, so that small consumers can contribute to congestion management through a market platform.

You will work on quantifying the flexibility potential of controlling hybrid heat pumps and the factors that determine it. Additionally, you will be tasked with translating available flexibility into optimal offers to be submitted in a congestion management market platform and designing new financial instruments to facilitate flexibility procurement from small consumers both preemptively and in real-time. Finally, you will assess the impact of the developed solutions on the consumers and the distribution system under future scenarios, taking into account other financial incentives and potential sources of flexibility.

You will primarily contribute to Intelligent Energy Systems research activities of the Electrical Energy Systems group. Besides research you will also have the opportunity to contribute to education within the department. Apart from supervising BSc and MSc students in their research projects, other assistance in education, e.g. in bachelor courses, is usually limited to around 5% of your contract time.