We’re seeking a motivated PhD researcher to help drive the electrification of industrial heat. Join leading researchers and industry partners in developing novel flexibility strategies across Europe.
InformationThis research project is part of the DEFLAME project. As a PhD researcher in the
DEFLAME project, you’ll play a key role in revolutionizing the European process industry by driving the electrification of industrial heat. A key aspect of electrification of industry using variable renewable electricity from solar and wind, is to allow for flexibility in the industrial demand.
In this PhD position, you will explore different flexibility options in electrified industrial processes, aiming to develop a merit order. This encompasses multiple aspects, such as:
- An inventory of the technical and economic characteristics of flexibility options at different timescales, such as hybrid heating by e-boilers/heat pumps/vapor recompression, heat storage (both above ground and underground), electricity storage, flexibilization of processes by installing controllable excess capacity,
- Combining the options above into integrated flexibility solutions for the different types of process industries (e.g. chemical, steel, non-metallic minerals, food processing) and assess associated costs and barriers for each of the identified flexibility solutions,
- Integrate the solutions in a dynamic system model (e.g. building on system models already existing in TU/e, TU Delft or TNO).
- Construct the merit order for flexibility at different timescales and for different industrial processes based on dynamic modelling.
Your research will provide critical insights for industrial stakeholders, policymakers and energy system operators on what flexibility options are needed. This will increase the share of fluctuating renewables, support renewable energy integration into the power system, and increase competitiveness of European and Dutch industries.
The position is in the
Energy Technology Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology. Your work is part of the DEFLAME project, which aims to overcome challenges in the electrification of industrial heat. We focus on electrification of industrial processes using proven, efficient technologies. You’ll collaborate closely with leading industry players, energy system operators, and research institutions. Our partners include: AtlasCopco, Cosun, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), ISPT, Nobian, Oranje Wind Power II C.V./RWE, Smart Port, Stedin, Tennet, and TNO.
We expect that you will take the lead in interacting and collaborating with other researchers at the TU/e, and other universities, and with industry and other stakeholders. Since this PhD project is a cooperation between the TU/e and TNO, it is likely that your PhD will also partly be carried out at TNO.