Meet the PhDs in CoDeF

PhD Title: Understanding the co-evolution of investment decision making of both generating companies and residential consumers on the electrical power system.

Brief Description: 

My research investigates the role of residential consumer energy resources, such as rooftop solar, batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, from a system planner and/or policy maker perspective. The research aims to gain an understanding into the evolution of installed capacities of residential consumer energy resources and large-scale assets owned by generating companies, while identifying complementarities and conflicts between these two scales of deployment. 

A socio-technical agent-based model will be used to capture both rational and irrational behaviour that affects investment decisions and energy market participation across residential consumers and generating companies. This heterogeneous modelling approach will reveal how residential consumer energy resources and utility-scale generation can interact synergistically or create tensions within future power system. 

The findings aim to inform policymakers on the optimal evolution of installed capacities, to identify potential conflicts that may require regulatory intervention, and to determine the support mechanisms needed to align residential and utility-scale investment strategies for a resilient, low-carbon energy system.

PhD Title: Analyzing trade-offs and flexibility in integrated residential energy systems by Pareto navigation.

Brief Description: 

We aim to investigate household energy system modeling through a general multi-objective optimization framework that makes the trade-offs between cost, emissions, and self-reliance transparent and actionable. The work will develop an interactive decision aid, explore a wide range of near-optimal solutions rather than a single “best” one, and validate insights with representative building data and stakeholder input. We will also assess usability in realistic settings, refine the workflow iteratively, and stress-test results under varying prices, demands, and technology performance. Deliverables include a user-friendly tool, documented methods, robustness analyses, and concise policy-relevant metrics to support practical planning and deployment.

PhD Title: Impact of consumer flexibility on planning of multi-energy districts

Brief Description: 

My research inside the CoDeF project aims to investigate the impact of consumer flexibility on the planning and operation of multi-energy districts. This involves developing models that capture multi-energy consumer flexibility across electricity, heating, and other energy carriers, accounting for both technical and behavioral factors. My studies will explore how different types of consumers can provide flexibility to the energy system without compromising their own comfort, cost, or operational objectives. Furthermore, it will quantify the potential contribution of aggregated consumer flexibility to system sizing, demand reduction, and security of supply. Ultimately, the research will provide insights and recommendations for integrating consumer flexibility into the design and planning of sustainable, resilient, and efficient multi-energy districts.

Topic: The uptake of households with demand response interventions 

Brief Description: 

My PhD research will examine how households contribute to demand-side flexibility (DSF) through demand response (DR), time-of-use (TOU), and dynamic tariffs, with particular attention to the behavioural, social, and institutional factors shaping their adoption. The project will integrate behavioural experiments, empirical data analysis, and agent-based modelling to produce both experimental and evidence-based insights that support inclusive DSF uptake. My research would involve (1) a systematic review and meta-analysis of household electricity demand-side flexibility (DSF) interventions across diverse contexts, synthesizing evidence on behavioural, social, and institutional drivers and barriers to uptake of demand response (DR), time-of-use (TOU), and dynamic tariffs (2)  survey of household preferences on DR, TOU and dynamic tariffs, (3) development of agent-based model of household decisions under different policy and pricing scenarios to engage with DR, TOU and dynamic tariffs to enhance demand flexibility. 

Topic: Learning-based operation strategies for occupant-centric multi-energy Systems 

Brief Description: 

Within the MSCA CoDeF project, I will develop a hybrid optimization framework for household multi-energy systems (HMESs) that models occupant flexibility and participation in demand response (DR) programs. At its core is a deep reinforcement learning controller embedded in a physics-aware digital twin which is complemented by model-based components for forecasting and operational constraints. Key deliverables are: (i) an interactive energy management tool that incorporates DR strategies with Pareto navigation to handle multi-objective trade-offs (cost, emissions, comfort, efficiency), (ii) a digital twin of HMESs integrating physical constraints, real-time data, and occupant behaviour, (iii) advanced machine learning and stochastic modeling techniques to predict occupant energy consumption and renewable generation, and (iv) a quantitative evaluation of DR strategies on the flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and cost of HMESs.

Topic: Assessing the value of demand-side flexibility for energy systems

Brief Description: 

My research attempts to comprehensively define value created by demand-side flexibility (DSF). In this project, I will create a theoretical framework for assessing value of demand-side flexibility techniques based on previous literature. I will then translate the framework to an energy system model, building off an existing model to capture previously omitted metrics of value. Finally, I will apply the methodology to DSF sensitivities to demonstrate the importance of considering a wide range of value criteria when assessing DSF. The goal of this work is to broaden our view of value and incorporate more perspectives into models of DSF.

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Brief Description: 

Within the MSCA CoDeF network, my project targets the gap between the theoretical potential of consumer demand flexibility and its deployment. I focus on buildings as small to medium scale resources, developing methods to characterize, aggregate, and adequately value flexibility assets, while providing clear information for end users on comfort and operational effects to support participation. Building on the “Flexibility Function” framework, I will combine physics-based and data-driven modelling to forecast demand and available flexibility; optimize and test control strategies in living-lab datasets and digital-twin simulations; and assess impacts and value for grid balancing, as well as cost and sustainable energy operation. The work will aim to deliver practical and deployable methodologies, informed by novel research and collaboration with industrial partners during secondments. 

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Brief Description: 

As part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (CoDeF), my PhD research at the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI), Copenhagen Business School, examines the role of households in enhancing energy system flexibility and their integration into existing electricity markets. Combining econometric analysis with system-level modeling, the project investigates how tariff structures and market mechanisms shape consumer behavior and participation in the energy transition. A key deliverable of this work is a market design analysis (August 2026), assessing the impact of Time-of-Use electricity network charges on household demand and flexibility.

Topic: Development and Research of Demand Response Control Algorithms in Smart Grids 

Brief Description: 

As part of the MSCA CoDeF project, my doctoral research focuses on developing advanced Demand Response (DR) control algorithms to enhance the flexibility, reliability, and cost efficiency of smart grids with high renewable energy penetration. The work involves modeling and simulating hybrid DR frameworks, integrating both rule-based and AI-assisted control techniques to optimize grid stability and energy management. A key component of the research is the creation of an intelligent energy management tool capable of multi-objective optimization, balancing cost, emissions, comfort, and system resilience.

The expected deliverables include: (i) AI-driven DR optimization algorithms for real-time energy management, (ii) simulation models for assessing DR impacts on grid performance, and (iii) decision-support tools for integrating DR with renewable-based microgrids in remote or standalone systems. The project also involves pilot testing of DR algorithms in Lithuanian smart grids and the development of methodologies for evaluating their technical and economic performance. Ultimately, this research aims to provide practical insights and recommendations for incorporating DR strategies into resilient, low-carbon, and consumer-centric energy systems of the future.

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Brief Description: 

In my research, I explore risk-hedging mechanisms that protect residential electricity consumers from high and uncertain bills. As energy tariffs become more dynamic to encourage demand flexibility, and price volatility rises due to renewable generation and fuel price shocks, consumers face greater electricity price risks.

This project models how traditional risk-hedging instruments - such as PPAs, CfDs, affordability options, renewable pools, and private generation investments - can be adapted to hedge consumer risk. The methodological approach is primarily based on MCP modeling. Key inputs include preserving short-term price signals to enable demand response and realistically modeling consumer decision-making.

Based on the results, I aim to develop policy recommendations for improving consumer risk protection in current and future energy systems, particularly those with a high share of renewables.

Topic: Determinants of the flexibility in the household energy use 

Brief Description: 

The aim of my research is to understand the determinants of flexibility in household energy use and how to influence the flexibility effectively and efficiently. This can be achieved by collecting representative household data on the German population to better understand the drivers of household energy use flexibility, and how to incentivize energy demand flexibility using behavioural experiments. 

My expected outcome from the experiments consists of identifying measurement of household energy use flexibility and household preferences and analysing the determinants for the diversification of household energy use as well as the share of energy demand from renewable sources. This research also aims to derive insights and recommendations on how to incentivize the household being more flexible regarding their energy consumption, especially , what are the household preferences and which information treatment works the best.

Topic: Towards flexibility in energy consumption: understanding expectations, institutions and justice

Brief Description: 

My research focuses on the justice dimensions of demand-side flexibility (DSF) in energy systems. Specifically, my main objective is to move beyond existing tenets, dominant theoretical frameworks, and commonly used evaluation methods in DSF design and implementation, aiming to develop more comprehensive understandings of justice in this domain.

I examine not only the distributional, participatory, and recognition aspects concerning diverse stakeholders, but also, through fieldwork, I explore the lived experiences, perspectives, and preferences of consumers. This includes, for example, investigating their intrinsic motivations for engaging - or choosing not to engage - with various DSF options.

My work began with an academic literature review to analyze different definitions and conceptualizations of DSF and its social-ethical implications. The next step involves conducting a non-academic exploration - potentially framed around EU, national government, energy agency, and NGO documents, reports, and relevant publications or websites - to identify gaps between scientific knowledge and practical implementation.

In addition, I am interested in the institutional roles within this complex actor-system, assessing how institutions influence DSF justice outcomes. 

To address these questions, I plan to adopt a mixed-methods approach, starting with qualitative semi-structured interviews, possibly applying Q-methodology, followed by quantitative data collection through questionnaires to complement and support the qualitative insights. 

Finally, my research aims to deliver actionable policy recommendations disseminated through scientific articles as well as more accessible formats such as newspapers and blog posts, engaging both academic and public audiences.

Topic: Bottom-up occupant-centric stochastic quantification and dispatch of flexibility

Brief Description: 

This sub-project in CoDeF (Consumer energy Demand Flexibility) aims to advance the understanding and implementation of occupant-centric adaptive control systems in buildings. The goal is to develop intelligent control strategies that improve energy efficiency, operational flexibility, and occupant comfort simultaneously.  A key part of this research is exploring how occupant centric strategies can be integrated into building management systems, allowing human feedback and behavior to actively influence automated decisions. By combining data-driven optimization with human-centered design principles, the project seeks to not only ensure technical performance but also a positive user experience. The overall objective is to contribute to the creation of sustainable, adaptive, and user-responsive buildings that support efficient energy use while meeting the evolving comfort and operational needs of occupants.

Topic: Consumer flexibility in a Social Justice Perspective - what is the impact of consumer flexibility on the system

Brief Description: 

Janina Jasper is an MSCA PhD Fellow within the CoDeF DC Network on Consumer Demand Flexibility in Electricity Use, researching Just Energy Systems, with an emphasis on renewable energy transitions and social justice. Her PhD examines how policies and practices can foster equitable energy futures through interdisciplinary and multi-sited fieldwork. Based in Norway and working in close collaboration with TU Delft in the Netherlands, her research contributes to the broader goals of the MSCA programme by advancing knowledge on just and inclusive energy transitions. She has presented her project concept at the Adaptation Futures Conference 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand, and shared early findings at the Kyoto Peace Conference 2025 in Japan, while also participating in specialised training across Europe, including the Human Rights Course at the University of Oslo and the Ethnographies of Energy Workshop at the University of Copenhagen.