Thesis - Analysis of minimum building blocks to create a functional microgrid

Vattenfall R&D is responsible for conducting business driven technical development that creates value for the company and helps us realize our strategy. We develop cost effective, safe and sustainable solutions to improve the infrastructure of Vattenfall assets including Hydro, Wind, Nuclear, SKB, Heat, and Distribution.  

Microgrid Arholma is a collaboration project between Vattenfall R&D, Vattenfall Eldistribution and Vattenfall Elanläggningar. The microgrid was inaugurated at the end of August 2023 and is part of Vattenfall’s journey to find new solutions and utilizing new technology for reinforcing todays grid.  

The microgrid consists of two energy storage systems, a small PV system, and a control and communication system. One of the main functionalities of the microgrid is to be able to operate in island mode, where the microgrid disconnects Arholma from the mainland and is able to operate as its own local energy system.  

Due to the project being a research project, there are a number of redundancies with regard to the components being used. In the case of this project, this was done to be able to evaluate different technologies. For future systems however, it is necessary to determine what the minimum components needed to construct a microgrid are, as well as the what functionalities and components are required for a system to be classified as a microgrid. To come to a conclusion on this topic a combination of a literature study on microgrids and the evaluation results from the Arholma microgrid project, different microgrid topologies will be chosen. These will then be tested in the real time simulator at the Vattenfall Research and Development Center in Älvkarleby in the program Hypersim.

Travel to Älvkarleby may be necessary for this project although much of the simulation and building of the models can be done remotely.

• The goal of the thesis is to determine the minimum components required to construct a fully functional microgrid.

• This assignment is for 1 student 

We are looking for students to join our journey towards a fossil free future. You are soon to be graduated from your academic studies. You also identify yourself with our principles: active, open, positive and safe. 

• Education – Any of the following master programs or similar: Electric Power Engineering or similar programs.
• Scope - 30hp.

• Written and spoken English.
• Experience or an interest in power system simulation tools,

• Start of assignment: 2026-01-12 or by agreement 

• Location: Solna/Älvkarleby by agreement 

• Application – a combined document with your CV and cover letter, and grades are to be submitted in the application. 

• Deadline for application is 2025-10-26. 
  • Contact person and supervisor at Vattenfall is: Marcus Seisay marcus.seisay@vattenfall.com +46 70 257 04 72  and Alexandra Dilja Gardarsdottir alexandra.diljagardarsdottir@vattenfall.com +46 70 099 34 38

Diversity & inclusion - in everything we do 

At Vattenfall we build on the fact that diverse teams can outperform homogeneous teams. But we can only unleash and leverage the power of diversity, if we make everybody feel included. Read more about our important work on diversity & inclusion https://careers.vattenfall.com/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion/ 

About Vattenfall 

We have been electrifying industries, powering homes and transforming life through innovation and collaboration for more than 100 years. Empowered by our goal, we are determined to enable fossil free living. 

But that’s not enough. That’s why we are looking beyond our own industry, to see where we can really make a difference. 

Want to learn more about what we do? Visit www.vattenfall.com. 

Since Vattenfall is a part of the Swedish critical infrastructure, many of our services are security classed. If this position is security classed the final candidates might be subjected to a security vetting process, according to the Swedish legislation. 

Power Climate Smarter living - that’s our purpose. We are looking for the brightest students to make this happen. Together you will contribute to a fossil free future. You will have a unique position to contribute to our purpose. All we ask from you is to use your Superpowers and share your energy to help us achieve our goal.