OrganizationYour PhD project is embedded in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). TU/e is one of the world's leading research universities (ranked by the Times Higher Education Supplement). It is in particular well‐known for its joint research with industry (ranked number one worldwide by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies).
Within TU/e's Department IE&IS you will be affiliated with the research group Technology, Innovation & Society (TIS). The TIS group of the School of Innovation Sciences is an ambitious, international group. Our research focuses on understanding the development and use of technology in a societal context. Our staff teaches in the BSc program 'Sustainable Innovation', and the MSc program 'Innovation Sciences', as well as in university-wide programs for engineering students.
The department of IE&IS has a strong national and international reputation for both basic research in the academic community and applied research with industry. You will have the opportunity to profit from the benefits that such an environment has to offer and to contribute to the ongoing research.
PhD research projectThe Dutch government wants a sustainable energy transition. Such a transition requires energy savings, a much greater use of renewable energy, and a further electrification of society. Due to the increasing integration of renewable energy into the energy supply, flexibility and efficiency are becoming increasingly important. Further digitization of the energy system can contribute to this. This brings two major developments together: the sustainable energy transition and the digital transition.
It is expected that through digitization the energy system can be made more responsive. We speak of smart energy networks (smart grids) and the emergence of the Internet of Energy (IoE). Artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important role in the IoE. The role of AI can be described as the brain behind the future IoE, the control center behind millions of sensors and the ability to analyze and use huge data flows. At present, the potential of AI is being investigated and tested in many areas, but not yet fully exploited. AI can for example be used to better predict production or energy demand.
The convergence of the digital transition and the desired energy transition raises all kinds of social and governance questions. The current governance system is not yet equipped for the developments mentioned. The challenge is to adjust the governance system in such a way that the well-known public goals from the energy domain - affordability, reliability, sustainability and safety - are achieved and, secondly, various public values that can come under pressure from digitization, like privacy, safety, autonomy and fair economic competition, will be safeguarded.
Within the research project, your focus will be on four interconnected topics:
- How is the role of AI developing in the Dutch electricity supply? What is the state of affairs? What are expectations for the next 5 to 10 years?
- Which actors and interests play a role in this?
- Which social, ethical and legal questions are related to the use of AI in the electricity sector? And which governance questions arise because of this?
- How does the democratic governance of the digitization of the electricity supply take shape?
Job descriptionYou, as a successful applicant, will engage with the research project mainly by following a qualitative research approach.
In doing so you will:
- mobilize theoretical insights and employ qualitative research methods for data gathering (including interviewing, observations and field visits) and analysis;
- report your research findings at (international) conferences and workshops and in scientific journals;
- present the results of the research in a PhD-dissertation, to be completed within four years;
- be engaged in contributing to and supporting teaching activities at Bachelor and Master level (no more than 15% of your time).