Master Thesis

You can apply for a Master thesis all year round. If you are interested in one of the topics listed below, please use our application form and attach your CV, current transcript of records, as well as other documents that might be relevant. In case you have an own research idea that fits to the research focus of the Bits to Energy Lab, please provide a short, but meaningful description of your topic. Applications should be sent to the respective supervisor via e-mail.

 

Open Topics

Topic Supervisor

Does the purpose matter? The effectiveness of (digital) nudging approaches

Nudging refers to small changes (i.e. so-called nudges) in the choice environment that can lead to predictable changes in individual behavior. These nudges can be implemented for various purposes. However, not all purposes are necessarily in the nudged individual’s best interest. The goal of this thesis is to analyze whether and how the purpose of a nudge affects its effectiveness. The methodology should include a combination of an online survey/experiment, literature research and potentially, qualitative interviews.
 Leonard Michels

Welfare effects of nudging – paying to be influenced?

Nudging refers to interventions by public or private agents aimed at steering people’s decisions in a particular direction, while still perpetuating the freedom to make individual decisions. More and more nudges are implemented in our everyday environment. They unobtrusively influence our decisions, typically with the goal of changing our behavior. Currently, there is a debate ongoing regarding the welfare effects of nudging. Recent studies use individuals’ willingness to pay for receiving or avoiding nudges to evaluate their welfare effects. The goal of this thesis is:

  • to provide a literature overview of the related work and
  • to develop and conduct an online survey that evaluates individuals’ willingness to pay for a specific nudge in the nutrition or in the sustainability context.
 Leonard Michels

Quantifying the co-benefits of Solar PV and Electric Vehicles as compared to PV + Battery Systems

The benefits of energy storage technologies in order to manage intermittent renewable energy generation from solar PV are well documented. However, Electric Vehicles (EVs) present a unique opportunity to substitute the need for stationary batteries, given that they are parked for long hours. This master thesis seeks to compare the techno-economic performance of PV systems with EV loads against stationary battery systems, both at the individual household and energy community levels. Using real-world data on PV production, household electricity demand and mobility behaviour of individuals with car, a techno-economic model will be formulated. Scenario exploration with EV-user types will further allow the assessment of specific mobility patterns that may achieve comparable or even higher performance as compared to stationary batteries.
Tasks:

  • Literature Review – PV+Battery Systems, PV+EV
  • Formulation of new/extension of existing techno-economic model (Python)
    Formulation and analysis of multiple scenarios of Battery and EV uptake

Requirements :

  • Programming and data analysis skills, ideally Python
  • Interest in the energy transition to tackle climate change
  • Knowledge of or interest in learning about the electricity system and electricity markets
Prakhar Mehta

Survey Data Collection and Qualitative Analysis of Electric Vehicle User Preferences

The share of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is projected to grow in the future. Studies have shown that uncontrolled charging of EVs may lead to electric grid stability issues and increased demand fed by fossil fuels. Controlled charging of EVs (reduction/increase in the rate or level of charging or shifting of charging process times) will be necessary to maintain grid stability and consume electricity from renewable energy sources, to decarbonize transport. However, EV users’ preferences are necessary to execute such controlled charging practices. This master thesis aims to conduct surveys to collect real EV-user’s preferences on EV charging, inclusive of mobility behaviour and charging habits, as well as EV users’ preferences for varied controlled charging practices. The results may prove useful in estimating the realistic flexibility potential that can be derived from EVs, and help electricity system operators maintain grid stability and increase the consumption of renewable energy sources.
Tasks:
  • Literature Review on EV User Preferences for Controlled Charging
  • Survey Design and Data Collection, Analysis

Requirements :

  • (Preferable) Experience with/courses attended about Qualitative Research Methods
  • (Preferable) Language skills in German
  • Interest in mobility, electric vehicles and climate change mitigation
Prakhar Mehta

Agent-Based Models of Electric Vehicle Charging

People have varied mobility profiles and varying EV charging preferences. Using agent-based models of heterogeneous driver types, this master thesis aims to analyse the impact of EV charging on the electricity network under different mobility behaviour profiles and different driver preferences on charging and battery levels. Key research questions to answer using such a model may be:

  • How do varying user preferences impact the volume of EV charging?
  • What incentives may be provided to EV users in order to adjust EV charging times to benefit the electric grid?
 Prakhar Mehta