Energy price modelling and energy storage under the energy transition
Energy price modelling and energy storage under the energy transition.
Financial and Economic Aspects of electricity storage under the energy transition. The role of Green hydrogen as a new commodity in the energy transition.
The financial and economic aspects of climate change adaptation are increasingly critical, particularly in assessing the costs and benefits of adopting new technologies to mitigate climate risks. Renewable hydrogen is emerging as key component of the green transformation. Understanding its role in energy markets, the underlying pricing mechanisms, and risk management of new business models is essential for ensuring its large-scale deployment and integration.
This PhD project will focus on developing financial econometric models to analyze the economic viability of clean technologies such as renewable hydrogen. Electricity price modeling under increased adoption of renewable sources will be considered including operational energy storage under Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES). The research will provide insights into:
- Asset valuation methods for hydrogen infrastructure, pumped hydro plants, and energy storage systems.
- Understanding the details of an integrated energy demand projection, use of financial data for the measurement of transition risk.
- Energy price modeling and development of optimal operational and valuation strategies of green assets.
- Strategies for climate risk management and their implications for policy and market stability.
By leveraging quantitative modeling techniques, including dynamic programming, financial econometrics, and stochastic methods the selected candidate will be part of a research group that contributes to the decision-making processes that support a sustainable energy transition.
The candidate will work under the supervision of Isabel Figuerola-Ferretti (co-director of the center) and Eduardo Schwartz (emeritus professor UCLA Anderson School of Business Ryan Beedie Chair in Finance Simon Fraser University)
Requirements
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a dynamic research group specializing in energy markets and renewable hydrogen . The ideal candidate should have:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
- Advanced skills in financial econometrics, quantitative modeling, or data analysis.
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or R.
- A keen interest in energy markets, asset valuation, and risk management.
- A high level of English proficiency (C1 or equivalent) is desirable to ensure effective communication and comprehension in both written and spoken form
What do we offer?
- Scholarship Coverage: The gross salary for the first year is approximately €31.472,55 (2025). Additionally, the IIT covers 90% of the fees for training activities, and the researcher will have access to all university services, including sports, cultural activities, and the library. The predoctoral researcher is hired on a yearly basis for a maximum period of six years. However, if the researcher is not enrolled in a Doctoral program, the contract cannot exceed two years.
- Research Support: Access to Factset, Bloomberg and S&P Global (energy transition package), computational tools, and industry collaborations.
- Conference and Travel Funding: Support for attending international conferences and workshops.
Join us in shaping the future of sustainable energy through innovative financial and economic research on renewable hydrogen and pumped hydro storage!
Documents
A cover letter outlining research interests and motivation for applying. A detailed CV. Academic transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate degrees). Contact details of two academic referees. A brief research proposal (optional but recommended).
