Thesis Work - Integration of Data Centres into the Swedish Electricity System

Are you a student looking to apply your knowledge to real-world solutions that support the energy transition? With us, you will have the opportunity to complete your thesis project close to the business, working alongside experienced specialists and tackling challenges where your ideas and perspectives can make a real difference.
Vattenfall R&D is responsible for conducting business driven technical development that creates value for the company and helps us realise our strategy. We develop cost-effective, safe and sustainable solutions to improve the infrastructure of Vattenfall assets including but not limited to Hydro, Wind, Nuclear, SKB, Heat, and Distribution.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services is increasing both the number and capacity of data centres. These facilities may become significant electricity consumers with load characteristics that differ from conventional industrial demand due to power-electronic equipment, rapid workload variations, cooling systems, uninterruptible power supplies, and energy storage.
This thesis will investigate the integration of data centres into the Swedish electricity system. The initial phase will review available public and industrial data, data-centre electrical architectures, load profiles, modelling methods, and relevant flexibility opportunities. Based on the findings and data availability, the study will define and investigate one or more representative use cases.
Potential research directions include:
Characterization and modelling of data-centre electricity demand
Interaction between data centres and the electricity grid
Assessment of available workload, power, and facility-level datasets
Evaluation of data-centre flexibility through workload management or energy storage
Participation in electricity, congestion-management, or flexibility markets
Development of Python-based models or simulations in energy modelling software
The goals and purpose of this thesis work are:
Literature and technology review
Assessment of public and potentially available industrial datasets
Definition of representative data-centre use cases
Development of an appropriate modelling or optimisation framework
Scenario and sensitivity analysis
Evaluation of limitations, uncertainties, and future data requirements
This assignment is for 1 student.
We are looking for a student who is about to complete their academic studies and is eager to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through a thesis project at Vattenfall. You are someone who shares our values and identifies with our principles: Active, Open, Positive and Safety.
Education – Any of the following master programs or similar: Electric Power Engineering, Energy Systems and Optimization.
Any experience within data science and grid modelling with tools like Python and PowerFactory is advantageous.
Proficiency in English
Scope - 30 credits

Employment type
Contract

Work arrangement
No