Ph.D. Positions: 22015_Regulatory frameworks for effectively integrating aggregation of distributed resources and energy communities in a decarbonised electricity system

Regulatory frameworks for effectively integrating aggregation of distributed resources and energy communities in a decarbonised electricity system

Economic, social, and environmental benefits can be achieved by aggregating resources and creating Local Energy Communities to pursue energy complementarity among the participants. It is of utmost relevance to integrate aggregated users and energy communities into the electricity markets to maximise the effectiveness of the novel decentralised power system structure. Unfolding the benefits of resource aggregation and energy communities requires detecting the barriers that prevent their deployment. Achieving the optimal integration of aggregated resources and energy communities in a decarbonised electricity system requires addressing several fundamental topics:

i) determining the current regulatory frameworks and identifying outlooks and trends;

ii) defining products and services to be exchanged;

iii) providing a clear definition of roles and responsibilities;

iv) Assessing the allocation of costs and benefits among the relevant stakeholders to pursue the optimal resource allocation.

The proposed PhD research activity aims to fill the gaps concerning the definition of aggregated resources and energy communities and their integration into the electricity market architecture. The proposed PhD research activity will mainly focus on analysing energy communities and aggregators’ possible roles and responsibilities. The main goal is to define a general framework for assigning roles and responsibilities depending on the context conditions to achieve the highest efficiency in terms of allocated resources. The proof of concept of the proposed framework will be assessed by applying it to different countries to quantify the effectiveness of the resulting regulatory design.

Requirements:

Interest in regulation and power system modelling. Preferably a master's degree in Electrical Engineering. Native Spanish language, advanced English level, and very good academic record. Experience in programming in GAMS, Python, Matalab or similar will be valuable.

It offers:

Annual full-time contract for the development of projects. Besides, the Research Assistant could take training activities. This modality allows the Research Assistant to establish a very close professional relationship with the companies with which he/she collaborates, thus nourishing his/her research with the experience accumulated during the projects. Although this modality does not necessarily require enrolling in any program, the Research Assistant can apply for a PhD after the first two years. The Research Assistant is hired each year for a maximum period of 6. If he or she is not enrolled in a PhD program the contract cannot exceed two years. The gross salary of the first year is € 24.410 for 2021. In addition, the IIT covers 90% of the cost of training activities and the Research Assistant will have access to all the services offered by the University (Sports, Cultural Activities, Library, etc.).

Documents:

Curriculum vitae, academic record, cover letter and two recommendation letters.