Vacant job

Do you want to contribute to the energy transition and work in a developing environment where you become an important link in a socially vital operation? As society electrifies at a rapid pace, the energy sector faces several major challenges. Sweden needs to quickly double electricity production, expand the power grid, and simultaneously transition to renewable energy. Do you want to help make this possible? Then you might be one of our future thesis students!

Svenska kraftnät is a state-owned business agency that serves as the system-responsible authority for the power system in Sweden and manages and develops Sweden's electricity transmission grid.

The Power System Development Department is responsible for the dimensioning of the power system based on socio-economic trade-offs. The department drives a proactive development of the electricity system, both today and for the future, where grid reinforcements and system measures are dimensioned and designed based on power system modeling, measurement, and advanced simulation. The department is responsible, among other things, for providing operational and planning models to the entire organization. This includes the administration, development, maintenance, and validation of related power system models.

Background

Space weather can affect the power system in several ways. A significant phenomenon is geomagnetically induced currents (GIC), which occur when variations in the Earth's magnetic field induce differences in ground potential with very slow polarity shifts (DC voltage). These potential differences can give rise to direct currents that close through the power system's grounding points.

GIC can affect the power system's components, for example, by loading transformers, causing saturation problems, or altering power flows. To be able to analyze risks and consequences, especially in connection with changes in the grid's structure, relevant and reliable models are required.

The upcoming grid development over cut 2 implies significant changes in the transmission grid, which increases the need to understand how GIC can affect the future system.

The Assignment

The purpose of the thesis is to develop a model to analyze how geomagnetically induced currents affect the Swedish power system, with a focus on the transmission grid. The work should specifically focus on how the model can be used to evaluate the effects of the grid changes planned over cut 2 according to Svenska kraftnät's grid development plan.

The thesis may include:

• In-depth study of theory and existing research regarding GIC and space weather impact.
• Review of available models and methodology for calculation and simulation of GIC in transmission grids.
• Development of a model adapted for Svenska kraftnät's analyses.
• Application of the model to future grid configurations over cut 2.

Evaluation of results and recommendations for further work.

Your Profile/Background

• Master of Science in Engineering with a focus on electrical engineering, power systems, technical physics, or equivalent.
• Understanding of power systems and model development.

We consider it an asset if you have:

• Experience with PSSE, Power Factory, or similar analysis tools.
• Knowledge of space physics and ground resistivity.

As a person, we are looking for someone who is structured and can tackle problems in a methodical way. You should be able to take your own initiatives and work independently but not hesitate to ask for advice or support when needed.

You should be proficient in both Swedish and English, both spoken and written.

Since we work with important infrastructure in society, our services are security-classified, and Swedish citizenship is therefore a requirement.

Conditions for Compensation

The following must be submitted for the payment of the fee to take place:

• The thesis report must be complete and available in its final version.
• A statement by email from the Svenska kraftnät supervisor confirming that the thesis student is finished from Svenska kraftnät's side. This includes that you have presented your work at Svenska kraftnät.
• A statement by email from the university supervisor confirming that the thesis student is finished from their side. This includes that you have presented your work at the university, and if applicable, defended another's work.

An extract from the grade register LADOK (PDF by email) showing that a passed thesis has been reported.

The scope of the assignment is 30 higher education credits.

For answers to general and practical questions, we refer primarily to Lovisa Skoglundh, tel. 010 – 350 92 85. For answers to specific questions regarding the assignment, we refer to Christoffer Fjellstedt, 010 - 475 97 41.

We want your application no later than 2026-04-23; the planned start date for the thesis is August 2026.