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

Company Description

Vattenfall is a leading European energy company serving approximately 12 million customers and employing around 21,000 people. We believe there is a way to build a future where everyone can choose fossil-free ways to move, make, and live. 

Job Description

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. 

Qualifications

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

Additional Information

• Start date: 2027-01-15 or by agreement 
• Location: Solna
• Application – Submit a single file containing your CV and a copy of your academic transcripts. Please note that only one file can be uploaded with your application, so it is important that all required information is combined into the same document.
• Application deadline: 2026-10-18. 
• Contact person and supervisor at Vattenfall: Shubham Sethi shubham.sethi@vattenfall.com and Dado Hadziomerovic dado.hadziomerovic@vattenfall.com

Diversity and Inclusion – In Everything We Do

At Vattenfall, we value being Active, Positive, Open, and Safety-conscious. We are looking for employees who share our vision and can contribute to strengthening our company culture. We believe that diversity helps build a more successful and attractive company, and we strive to be role models in diversity and inclusion. Vattenfall actively works to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of age, ethnic or cultural background, gender identity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or disability. Read more about how we work with diversity and inclusion here.

Vattenfall is part of Sweden’s critical infrastructure, and many of our positions are therefore classified from a security perspective. If this position is security-classified, a security screening will be conducted prior to employment in accordance with the Swedish Security Protection Act.