Master’s Thesis in Action: KTH Students Explore Port Electrification in Oskarshamn

From Left to Right: KTH Masters Students Ardian and Michelangelo with supervisor HPT Assitant Prof. — Left to right: KTH Masters students Ardian and Michelangelo, with their thesis supervisor, Asst Prof Jagruti Thakur during a site visit to Oskarshamn energi's biomass plant

Published Apr 07, 2026

Students from KTH’s Heat and Power Technology (HPT) division are currently contributing to the electrification and long-term energy sustainability of the Port of Oskarshamn through a collaborative project involving regional, industry, and municipal stakeholders. As part of their ongoing Master thesis work, Energy Engineering students Michelangelo Inzerilli and Ardian Candra Pratama, supervised by Assistant Professor Jagruti Thakur, at the HPT division, are working closely with port stakeholders to explore pathways toward an electrified and self-sufficient port.

The project brings together several key actors:

Smålandshamnar AB - the port authority, leading the port’s strategic development and expansion,
Oskarshamn Energi - the local Distribution System Operator (DSO), supporting grid integration and energy planning, and
Oskarshamns Kommun - representing the municipality and regional development interests.

Together with KTH, the collaboration aims to support Smålandshamnar AB’s goal of powering all future port activities entirely with electricity and phasing out fossil-fuel-based operations, especially in view of the two new terminals to be built. Within this context, the Master thesis work focuses on:

Assessing the increase in electricity demand resulting from the electrification of port machinery and operations,
Investigating demand optimization strategies, including load management and flexibility solutions, and
Exploring the integration of renewable energy sources to support local energy production and self-sufficiency.

During a site visit to the Port of Oskarshamn, the students, accompanied by their supervisor, engaged directly with port representatives and energy stakeholders, grounding their research in real operational scenarios. This collaborative effort exemplifies KTH’s commitment to applied research that addresses real‑world challenges while offering students hands‑on experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and infrastructure development.