1 PhD position in Aquifer Thermal Energy Systems (ATES) Smart Grids in Netherlands | Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Roughly 2000 Aquifer Thermal Energy Systems (ATES) are installed in the Netherlands. Within 10 years, a tenfold increase is expected, resulting in a roughly 11% reduction of CO2 emissions of the built environment. However, the current performance of ATES does not live up to expectations. This is mainly due to current operation and regulation practices that cannot cope with uncertainties in aquifer characteristics, interaction of neighbouring systems, and variability in weather conditions and use of buildings. Advanced control concepts have been suggested as a way of addressing these issues. The overall goal of the project is to investigate and develop such control concepts. The project is a collaboration between the faculties of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Technology, Policy and Management.

This PhD position focuses on developing a hybrid socio-technical simulation environment containing models of the aquifer, the built environment, and alternative control concepts, and exploring its behaviour under uncertainty. Issues to be addressed include the alignment of temporal and geospatial scales, and the choice of modelling paradigm in light of computational constraints and desired accuracy. The outcomes should provide insight into the potential gains in efficiency of alternative control concepts under uncertainty, and their limits.

Requirements

Applicants for this position should have the following qualifications: • MSc degree at the interface of water/environmental management, applied physics, civil or systems and control engineering, operations research or similar research, and public policy analysis • Demonstrable affinity for modelling and simulation, preferably agent-based modelling • Programming skills • Excellent command of the English language • Outstanding analytical skills • Ability to cooperate in a multi-disciplinary team with control and groundwater specialists.     

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

Organisation

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Department

Technology, Policy & Management

The Multi-Actor Systems Department works in the area of complex, networked systems. It unites a systems perspective, rooted in the engineering sciences, with an actor perspective, rooted in the social sciences, in its research on complex, societally relevant issues and the decision-making processes that characterise them. The MAS department’s research aims to develop innovative concepts, methods, and tools for understanding, supporting, and designing multi-actor decision-making and coordination in a networked society with its many converging systems.

The Department consists of three sections: Policy Analysis; Policy, Organisation, Law and Gaming; and Systems Engineering and Simulation.

The Policy Analysis section works on problems that are characterised by the presence of actor interdependencies and uncertainties. The section aims to use, improve and develop methods and techniques for planning, execution, evaluation and learning in public policy and management in complex, multi-actor environments. In doing so, it emphasises the use of models, ranging from conceptual models to computational simulation models and serious gaming. Its work spans different application domains, with strong research portfolios in the areas of water and deltas, energy, and transportation systems.