Master Thesis Development of a Concept for Assessing the Flexibility of Energy Systems with Heat Pumps

This Master thesis will be a part of the EU-funded research project INDEPENDENT, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in sustainable energy solutions.

As part of the INDEPENDENT project, the student will have access to a collaborative network of international researchers, industry experts and policymakers, working towards a more resilient, efficient, and decarbonized energy system in Europe. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated student to gain valuable research experience, contribute to a significant EU initiative and develop expertise in a rapidly evolving field crucial for the energy transition.

The following tasks are to be completed as part of the work:

• You will investigate current concepts for forecasting and flexibility within the literature, with a specific focus on distinguishing and integrating responses to explicit grid operator signals and implicit incentives from dynamical energy tariffs.
• In addition, you will familiarize with the use of a model for the coupled plant and building system, built in Python.
• Furthermore, you will select and implement an approach for flexibility assessment that comprehensively accounts for both types of external stimuli.
• You will also validate these using various simulation scenarios, including those that simulate responses to direct operator commands and those that model different dynamic tariff structures.

• Education: Master studies in the field of Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or comparable with good grades
• Experience and Knowledge: in Python; experience in Machine Learning and knowledge of the operation of heat pumps are desirable
• Personality and Working Practice: you are a goal-oriented and structured person
• Languages: business fluent in English or German