10 MSc Thesis Positions in Energy Systems Modelling with OSeMBE

Topic 1: Data Workflows for OSeMBE (Four positions)

Data is the foundation of any robust energy systems model, and OSeMBE’s scope including 30 countries and multiple sectors, makes high-quality data essential. To strengthen our open-science practices, we are offering four MSc thesis projects focused on developing reproducible data pipelines that align with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Key tasks

• Designing and implementing automated, reproducible data-gathering workflows.

• Collecting and validating country-level datasets from authoritative sources.

• Harmonising units, definitions, and metadata across countries.

• Documenting workflows to support transparency and future updates.

Required skills

Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, comfort working with data (e.g., Excel, Python, R), and interest in reproducible research.

Themes and country groups

Given the model’s scope, data collection is divided into two themes and two country groups:

Themes

• Demand data & existing power sector infrastructure

• Cost data & long-term projections (including technology costs, learning rates, and demand scenarios)

Country groups

• Group A: 15 countries

• Group B: 15 countries

Group A and Group B are divided to balance workload and ensure diversity in data sources. Country allocation will be finalised based on student interests and language skills.

Available thesis combinations

1. Demand & existing infrastructure – Group A

2. Demand & existing infrastructure – Group B

3. Costs & projections – Group A

4. Costs & projections – Group B

These components form the backbone of OSeMBE and are critical for improving data quality, model reproducibility, and long-term maintainability.

Expected outcomes

A complete, reproducible data pipeline for the assigned theme and country group, including processed datasets, automated scripts, and transparent documentation ready for direct integration into the OSeMBE database.

Topics 2: Storage Representation in OSeMBE (One position)

OSeMBE currently lacks explicit energy storage modelling. This thesis will develop a comprehensive storage module to improve the model’s ability to represent flexibility and system balancing. This work will create the first complete storage module within OSeMBE and will significantly improve its ability to represent flexibility options in future scenarios.

Technologies to model

• Hydropower storage (pumped hydro and reservoir-based systems)

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

• Thermal Energy Storage (TES)

Key tasks

• Gathering EU-wide storage capacity data and techno-economic parameters.

• Implementing storage technologies within the OSeMOSYS framework.

• Testing and validating storage behaviour in OSeMBE scenarios.

Required skills

Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, familiarity with OseMOSYS, experience in python and data management is helpful, and interest in reproducible research.

We strongly recommend collaborating with a student working on the data-collection topics to ensure consistency in input data.

Topic 3: Hydrogen Sector Integration (One position)

Hydrogen is not yet represented in OSeMBE, leaving an important gap in modelling future energy pathways. This thesis focuses on integrating hydrogen supply, demand, and infrastructure into the model. This thesis will form the foundation for a full hydrogen module in OSeMBE, enabling future research on hydrogen pathways and system integration.

Key tasks

• Modelling hydrogen production pathways (green, blue, grey).

• Representing hydrogen storage, distribution, and potential transmission networks.

• Identifying major hydrogen end-use sectors in Europe and modelling their demand.

• Adding techno-economic characteristics for hydrogen technologies.

Required skills

Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, familiarity with OseMOSYS, experience in python and data management is helpful, and interest in reproducible research.

This topic is ideal for students interested in sector coupling, emerging technologies, and future energy system design.

Topic 4: Transmission System Optimisation & Coupling with Dispatch Models (One position)

Transmission modelling in OSeMBE is currently simplified. This thesis explores two possible directions:

1. Refining the representation of transmission expansion within OSeMBE.

2. Coupling OSeMBE with a dispatch model, ideally PyPSA, via a soft or hard linking approach.

Potential objectives

• Improve spatial detail in cross-border transmission lines.

• Analyse operability of long-term capacity expansion results.

• Explore how dispatch-level dynamics interact with system planning decisions.

Required skills

Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, familiarity with OseMOSYS, experience in python and data management is helpful, interest in optimisation or power systems, and comfort working with Python if pursuing the PyPSA coupling option.

This project suits students interested in optimisation, modelling frameworks, and multi-model integration. The outcome will improve the ability of OSeMBE to represent operational constraints and transmission expansion decisions.

Topic 5: Improving Temporal Resolution in OSeMBE (One position)

OSeMBE currently uses 15 time slices per year - a relatively coarse temporal granularity. Increasing the temporal resolution or redefining the time-slicing method could significantly improve representation of:

• Short- and long-term storage

• Variable renewable energy (wind, solar)

• Seasonal energy dynamics

• Flexibility constraints

Key tasks

• Developing and testing alternative time-slicing structures.

• Assessing computational trade-offs and model performance.

• Evaluating impacts on system behaviour and investment patterns.

Required skills

Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, familiarity with OseMOSYS, experience in python and data management is helpful, and interest in reproducible research.

Expected outcomes

A revised time-slicing structure, a comparison of model performance with alternative configurations, and documentation of computational trade-offs.

This topic is well suited for students interested in model design, time-series analysis, and the representation of variability in long-term planning models.

Topic 6: Analysis of Energy and Climate Policy Landscapes (Two positions)

Energy and climate policies shape the long-term evolution of national energy systems. They therefore play a crucial role in scenario development and model behaviour. This thesis topic focuses on systematically evaluating the policy landscape across the countries represented in OSeMBE and incorporating these policies directly into the model.

To make the work feasible, the 30 countries in OSeMBE are divided into two groups, similar to the data-related thesis topics:

• Group A: 15 countries

• Group B: 15 countries

Two thesis projects are available, one per country group.

Key tasks

• Reviewing national and EU-level policy documents, including:

  • National energy and climate plans (NECPs)

  • Sectoral strategies and long-term climate plans

  • EU directives and targets

  • Paris Agreement pledges and related commitments

• Extracting quantitative or qualitative constraints from policy texts.

• Translating these into binding or indicative modelling constraints within OSeMBE.
  Examples include:

  • Technology restrictions

  • Renewable energy targets

  • Emissions caps or trajectories

  • End-use sector obligations

• Preparing transparent documentation of policy assumptions and model implementations.

• Identifying uncertainties or ambiguities in policy interpretation and proposing consistent modelling approaches.

Required skills

Strong analytical and reading comprehension skills, ability to interpret policy documents and connect them to modelling assumptions, and an interest in European energy and climate governance.

This work will produce the first harmonised policy dataset for OSeMBE and will allow future scenarios to be aligned with real-world national and EU commitments. This topic is ideal for students who enjoy qualitative and quantitative research, and who want to work at the interface between policy analysis and energy system modelling.

Duration

5–6 months, start January 2026.

Division/Department

Division of Energy Systems – Department of Energy Technology

How to apply

Send an email expressing your interest in the topic to Emir Fejzić (fejzic@kth.se).

Supervisors

References

1. H. T. J. Henke, F. Gardumi, and M. Howells, "The open source electricity Model Base for Europe - An engagement framework for open and transparent European energy modelling," Energy, vol. 239, p. 121973, 2022/01/15/ 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121973.

2. H. Henke et al., "Comparing energy system optimization models and integrated assessment models: Relevance for energy policy advice," Open Research Europe, Article vol. 3, 2024, Art no. 69, doi: 10.12688/openreseurope.15590.2.

3. L. Sarmiento et al., "Comparing net zero pathways across the Atlantic A model inter-comparison exercise between the Energy Modeling Forum 37 and the European Climate and Energy Modeling Forum," Energy and Climate Change, vol. 5, p. 100144, 2024/12/01/ 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2024.100144.