Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in reaching climate neutrality for hard-to-abate sectors. Today, producing hydrogen via water electrolysis is prohibetively expensive, due to high investment costs, low efficiencies and a high operational cost related to the electricity input. At the same time, the regulatory framework requires future electrolyzer projects to operate in tandem with nearby renewable electricity production, requiring dynamic operation of the electrolyzer plant.

In this research project, we investige the interplay between (i) electrolyser technology design, flexibility and costs, (ii) different configurations and downstream integration concepts, (iii) the ability of the asset to capture different revenue streams in energy and secondary markets and (iv) flexibility requirements imposed by the required matching of renewable electricity production and green hydrogen.

To address this question, you will develop state-of-the-art equilibrium models describing linked electricity and hydrogen markets, and the role of different electrolyzer technologies in these markets. You will build on existing implementations and ongoing work within our research group. You will focus on how data-driven approaches, such as inverse optimization, may be used to enhance the realism of resulting market outcomes and to quantify "model" uncertainty.

Note that this postdoctoral position is one of the two positions funded by the WinHy project at TU Delft (financed by NWO). This position focusses on the interaction of the electrolyzer assets with the overall energy system, whereas the other position focusses on the design of the electrolyzer plant itself.

In WinHy, the consortium partners Repsol (a technology integrator and developer of electrolyzer plants), Sunfire (a leading OEM and electrolyzer manufacturer) and research insititutes DLR and TU Delft are seeking to address shortcomings of the current alkaline water electrolysis technology by developing advanced stack designs and plant integration concepts. This unique consortium spans technology development and lab-scale experiments to energy system and economic integration, which is the focus of this postdoctoral position lies.

Your daily supervisor will be Kenneth Bruninx. You will work closely with the research group led by Mar Pérez-Fortes on the assessment and implementation of emerging technologies and the consortium partners. You will join a lively community of internationally renowned interdisciplinary energy researchers in the Department of Engineering Systems and Services at TU Delft. Our faculty hosts a diverse group of people from different countries and disciplines, and we welcome candidates that contribute to and enjoy this diversity.

• PhD degree in science, engineering or economics (must have been awarded by the agreed-upon starting date).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• A result-oriented attitude.
• Very good written and spoken communication skills in English (Dutch is not required).
• Prior research experience in energy system/market modelling or other energy-related research.
• and/or prior research experience in electrolysis-based plants modelling, techno-economic assessment and heat management.

Bonus points if you have:

• Programming experience in Julia, Python or a similar language.
• Process modelling in Aspen Plus, gPROMS or similar.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

 Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this vacancy or the application procedure, please contact Kenneth Bruninx (k.bruninx@tudelft.nl). No applications by email.