KTH Master’s Thesis Wins First Prize in Energimarknadsinspektionen’s National Competition
KTH master’s thesis students Sara Johansson and Marija Pajtlar have been awarded first prize in Energimarknadsinspektionen’s annual thesis competition, for their outstanding work on regulatory methods for evaluating the cost efficiency of Swedish electricity grid companies.
The thesis was carried out within an industrial context provided by Ellevio, with supervision from Mikael Ewing, Leif Boström, and Klas Vestergren at Ellevio, and from Jagruti Thakur – Assistant Professor at KTH’s Heat and Power Technology (HPT) division, whose guidance was central to the methodological depth and sector relevance of the work.
The study, titled “Regulation Methods for Assessing Cost Efficiency of Electricity Grid Companies in Sweden” , presents a rigorous and timely analysis of how current regulatory benchmarking in Sweden can be strengthened in light of accelerating electrification, rising reinvestment needs, and increasing system complexity. According to Energimarknadsinspektionen’s Jurors ,
“…Sara and Marija have analysed and compared different methods for assessing cost efficiency among Swedish electricity grid companies. The work highlights the need for more robust and transparent benchmarking frameworks, particularly in light of increasing demands for electrification and sustainable investments. We were impressed by the depth of analysis, the clear connection to current regulatory challenges, and the concrete proposals for improvements for the electricity grid of the future...”
This award, in addition to recognizing the students’ impressive achievements, highlights the strong contribution of KTH’s research community in advancing evidence‑based insights for Sweden’s energy transition.
👉 For more information on KTH’s Energy Program and Master Thesis Opportunities, please reach out to our team.
