Master Thesis - Profitability and System Value of Flexible Assets in European Power Markets

Your Job

The increasing share of renewable energy sources and the transition of European electricity markets toward higher temporal resolution are fundamentally changing price dynamics and system operation. In this context, flexible assets such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicle (EV) aggregators, and electrolyzers play a key role in providing system flexibility and capturing arbitrage opportunities. At the same time, there is a growing need for transparent and extensible open-source tools to analyze these effects.

Within this project, you will contribute to the development and application of PowerMarketSim, an open‑source electricity market simulation framework, to assess the profitability and system value of flexible assets under evolving market conditions.

The work is structured into the following tasks:

• Contribute to the development and extension of the open‑source market model PowerMarketSim, with a focus on integrating flexible asset representations
• Design and implement simulation scenarios and perform large‑scale simulations
• Evaluate profitability and utilization of flexible assets in the day‑ahead market
• Assess system‑level impacts and derive insights for future market design

Your Profile

You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in engineering, energy systems, industrial engineering, or a related field.

You are also characterized by:

• Strong interest in electricity markets, energy systems, and the energy transition
• Solid understanding of electricity market mechanisms
• Proven experience in energy system modeling and optimization methods
• Strong programming and data analysis skills in Python, or other programming languages
• Independent and structured way of working
• Very good command of English

Our Offer

We work on some of the most pressing challenges of the energy transition and offer you the opportunity to actively contribute to shaping future electricity markets. You will be supported by an experienced team and gain direct exposure to cutting‑edge research.

We support you in your work with:

• Meaningful tasks: Your thesis addresses a forward‑looking and socially relevant topic with strong practical relevance in the context of European electricity markets
• Hands‑on experience: You will work directly with a modern open‑source model, and gain practical experience in developing, extending, and applying large‑scale optimization models
• Deep technical insight: You will develop a strong understanding of how large‑scale energy system models are structured, implemented, and solved in practice
• Scientific environment: You will benefit from a high‑level research environment, modern tools, and close supervision by experienced researchers in electricity market modeling and optimization
• Work‑life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and on‑site appointments
• Fair remuneration: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis
• Internship available: We are happy to offer the opportunity to undertake an internship prior to your Master’s thesis. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with the topic at an early stage and lay a solid foundation for a successful thesis

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.