The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has inflicted severe damage on the country's infrastructure, particularly its electricity system. While domestic and international stakeholders are discussing reconstruction strategies, uncertainties about the extent of destruction complicate these efforts. A comprehensive understanding of the damage and rebuilding potential is crucial for developing effective reconstruction policies, yet data from conflict zones is often limited and fragmented. This research builds upon a previous project that mapped Ukraine's electricity system and documented grid destruction up to mid-2023, revealing that most large, centralized power plants have been attacked since February 2022.

We now aim to expand this analysis. Specifically, we plan to (i) develop a more automated and frequent assessment of the destruction to electricity generation and transmission assets, (ii) examine the extent of damage to industrial high-energy off-takers, and (iii) consider the effects of the destruction on residential users (e.g., using night light data).

In the context of this research, we offer a master's thesis project investigating the war's impact on Ukraine's energy system, focusing on one or a combination of the before-mentioned aspects. The student's tasks will include:

• Gathering and analyzing relevant geospatial data, expanding our existing database
• Conducting geospatial analysis on the extent of destruction in the Ukrainian energy system, impacts on high-energy off-takers, or effects on residential use
• Reviewing literature on energy policy in post-conflict contexts and energy system recovery

Requirements

• Keen interest in energy infrastructure, policy, and geospatial data analysis.
• Background in geography, economics, public policy, or other relevant disciplines.
• Some experience with geospatial analysis/Python, as well as a strong willingness for further self-study, are required.
• Fluency in English is essential.
• Knowledge of the Ukrainian language and familiarity with the Ukrainian context are a plus.

Setup

• You will be supervised by Dr. Nathalie Luck and Prof. Florian Egli
• Access to an interdisciplinary team with extensive expertise in climate and energy policy and state-of-the-art research methods
• Involvement in research with direct links to policymakers and policy impact
• An exciting community at the School of Social Sciences and Technology
• Close collaboration with the TUM Think Tank
• Access to a lovely office space right in the heart of Munich

How to apply

Please download the application form, complete it in font 10pt (takes 15mins) and send it to: applications.ppgt@sot.tum.de. Please ensure that your file is a PDF of no more than 1 page.

We evaluate applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The start date is as soon as possible.

Hydrogen will play a key role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries where other decarbonization options, such as electrification, are limited. The production of green hydrogen, however, is currently still very costly, and predicted steep falling cost-curves have not materialized so far. The electricity costs, the capacity factor, as well as the cost of capital of the renewable energy source, have a major impact on the final product costs. While many regions offer excellent renewable energy potential, the cost of capital tends to be very high due to increased country and investment risks. Offshore wind energy, however, may hold high potential as it allows for high capacity factors, low levelized costs of electricity, and financing structures that can potentially be decoupled from domestic economies.

In this context, we offer a master’s thesis project focused on determining realistic offshore wind hydrogen production costs and potential in African waters. A Python-based geospatial model based on the GeoH2 modeling framework shall be developed, incorporating cost and financing projections for offshore wind technologies.

Key research Tasks

• Conduct a literature review on cost structure forecasts for various offshore wind technologies (e.g., floating, ground-mounted) and design a cost estimation model
• Analyze financing possibilities for offshore wind parks, including a comparison of financing structures for onshore and offshore assets, with examples drawn from offshore drilling platform
• Perform geospatial analysis to identify suitable areas for deploying different offshore wind energy technologies in African waters
• Develop a Python-based geospatial model to calculate hydrogen production potential using offshore wind energy, with integration into the GeoH2 model framework

Requirements

• Strong interest in renewable energy, green hydrogen and data analysis
• Background in engineering, environmental sciences, energy systems, economics, or other relevant disciplines
• Experience with Python and a willingness to further develop technical skills
• Familiarity with geospatial analysis tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, or Python-based GIS libraries is advantageous
• Fluency in English is essential

Setup

• You will be supervised by Prof. Florian Egli
• Access to an interdisciplinary team with extensive expertise in climate and energy policy and state-of-the-art research methods
• Involvement in research with direct links to policymakers and policy impact
• An exciting community at the School of Social Sciences and Technology
• Close collaboration with the TUM Think Tank
• Access to a lovely office space right in the heart of Munich

How to apply

To apply please send your CV, Transcript of Records and a short motivational statement (max 300 words, all documents in PDF format) to and send it to: leander2.mueller(at)tum.de. 

We evaluate applications on a rolling basis starting on 1 November 2024 and until the position is filled. The start date is as soon as possible.

Climate Finance

6 ECTS

Climate change is one of the critical challenges of this century. In this course, students will learn about the role of finance for the low carbon transition in developing as well as industrialized countries. We will discuss existing policies, their effectiveness and the underlying political economy challenges to implement them.

Financial Economics of Climate and Sustainability

6 ECTS (only for PhD and Postdocs)

The course is part of a global initiative led by Harvard University to educate the next generation of climate finance scholars. It covers a range of topics, from the integration of climate change impacts into economic and financial theories, sustainable investment, climate-related risk assessment, as well as the economic and financial dynamics of corporations, households, and financial institutions in the context of decarbonization. The course runs weekly from February 4 to April 29, 2025, for more information please visit TUMOnline.

To apply, please send an email with subject: “Application to FECS class 2025” to clemens.lehofer@tum.de. The email should contain the title of your PhD or main research project and a 200-word motivation. Deadline for applications is 9 January 2025.