PhD: Agent-based modelling of investments in green power and green hydrogen

How can we transition to a sustainable hydrogen future in which basic industry flourishes? Join us in a research project that aims to shed light on this question that is as intellectually challenging as it is relevant!

Your job
Large volumes of green power and green hydrogen are needed to green industry and the economy as a whole. A major uncertainty concerns the economic and financial viability of renewable energy generation and electrolysis. Whereas it is clear from a technical point how the co-deployment of ever more renewables and electrolysers should proceed, it is unclear whether the current market structure in the Netherlands and Europe will be conducive to such linked large-scale investments. Currently this looming problem is covered by very high project subsidies (especially for electrolysers), but it is unclear how the path to a market-based mature development phase will look like. Thus, there is, and likely to remain in the short- to medium term, huge policy and market uncertainty for private investors. At the same time, from a systems engineering perspective the desired cost-optimal configuration is known. In other words: we know what to build, but not how to incentivise building via market mechanisms and private investors. This calls for the consideration of alternative routes to scaling up. In this project we will analyse whether a public utility approach to green power and green hydrogen would offer a cheaper, faster and more certain path than a market-led approach.

In this PhD position you will explore this via agent-based modelling of investor behaviour, using the energy modelling, business economics and sustainable finance expertise of the project team. You will do this in collaboration with academic and industrial partners in the context of GroenvermogenNL.

In practice, you will

• Analyse the investment behaviour of relevant stakeholders in the green hydrogen production chain: power producers, electrolyser manufacturers, green hydrogen producers, hydrogen consumers and financiers;
• Conceptualise and develop an agent-based model that simulates these stakeholders and their investments in green power and green hydrogen;
• Analyse and test the effectiveness of supporting policies through the agent-based modelling;
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a market-led approach, as studied in the agent-based model, with these of a public utility approach to scaling up green power and hydrogen production;
• Publish your research findings in peer-reviewed academic journals and present your work at (inter)national conferences and to public and private stakeholders;
• Contribute to education by teaching in one of our Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes (approximately 10% of your time).

You are a researcher, who has:

• A relevant Master’s degree in either (Business)Economics, Finance, or a related field; or in Energy Science, (Systems / Energy) Engineering, or a related field.
• A strong interest in, and awareness of, the challenges for Dutch/European basic industry and the energy sector; a basic understanding of the physics and techno-economics of (renewable) energy technologies.
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary research environment (e.g. willingness to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, including academia, industry, and policymakers).
• Experience with simulation and modelling; experience with agent-based modelling is a plus but not required.

In view of the focus of the research on Dutch industry, proficiency in Dutch is a plus, but not requirement.

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2.901 and €3.707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.