Research Fellow in Electricity Markets and Consumer Engagement

Job Description

Research Fellow in Electricity Markets and Consumer Engagement: Grade: 7 (£46,261-£54,019) FTE: 1 (36.5 hours/week)

Department: Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources (Institute for Sustainable Resources): Location: Bloomsbury, London/ hybrid working We are operating hybrid working with staff working a minimum of 40% on site (2 days a week pro rata).

This is an open-ended role dependent on the availability of continued funding. In the first instance, the funds are available until 31 December 2027. Continuation of employment beyond this period is subject to securing additional funding.

Reports to

Professor Michael Grubb, Deputy Director ISR and Director, UCL-ISR Centre for Net Zero Market Design

Context

The UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources (ISR) has a vision of a sustainable, resilient and equitable net-zero future.

Our mission is to provide evidence, expertise and training to respond to climate change and support sustainable transitions for people and planet.

Through our work, we: address real-world problems with creativity and innovation provide a trusted, independent source of excellence, evidence and expertise work closely with governments, businesses and civil society to drive change educate and inform through teaching and engaging with diverse communities promote an inclusive, collaborative and interdisciplinary culture

Main purpose of the job

Electricity markets have traditionally been designed around the economics of centralized power plants based on fossil fuels, and the infrastructure to carry generation from large generating plants through networks to final demand. The rise of renewables and decarbonization, at varied scales, along with technologies from smart meters to PVs, electric vehicles and heat pumps, is fundamentally changing the nature of the systems. Also, current market structures reflect predominantly the economics of fossil fuels as the ‘marginal’ generators, as revealed starkly in the energy crisis.

The structure and operation of electricity markets must be overhauled to better suit the low-carbon transition, and for the benefits of this to be fully realised by electricity consumers. Governments and regulators are alive to this challenge, and are actively seeking options to address it, as well as a new generation of talent equipped to deal with the new systems emerging.

To contribute to this effort, we are recruiting a Research Fellow in Electricity Markets and Consumer Engagement. Key topics for research would include:

• the interaction between wholesale markets and retail offers, for consumers on distribution networks, as mediated through retail supply companies and system charge allocations
• how this affects the incentives and potential for flexibility, and the distributional implications
• policy implications also for potential new market designs, taking account also of potential for aggregating consumer flexibility in the context of regional and national wholesale market developments

Subject to final confirmation, methodologies would include work on developing system dynamics modelling to illustrate some of the dynamic interactions within and between UK electricity procurement instruments (e.g. CfDs), wholesale, balancing, and retail markets, to look at structural determinants of market value and volume and how changes in one market impact on others.

Duties and responsibilities

The post-holder will be a key researcher for the Centre, conducting connected research of high quality and policy relevance, with activities including: Conducting research focused on how policy can best sustain the growth and utilization of clean electricity generation in the UK, with particular attention to demand-side incentives and options for end-use electrification Evaluating the economic dimensions of this transition, including price implications of different market structures and consumer flexibility Becoming a focal point for communication and outreach of such research, including oversight of the “Outputs” section of the Centre website and occasional media inputs and response to government consultations within the scope of this post.

Contributing experience of UK electricity markets to joint research under the UK-China Power Market Reform Advisory Group Help to manage relationships with the Centre’s Advisory Board, particularly in relation to appropriate communication of emerging research Develop and extend relationships with key actors in the UK electricity system, including companies with interest in supporting such research Help to Identify, develop and implement subsequent research projects Help to manage relations with private industry, policy and third-sector partners at the cutting edge of sustainable industry.

In addition, providing or overseeing occasional wider research-related assistance to Prof Grubb, principally relating to the global electricity transition and international interest in related UK policy, and advisory oversight of Prof Grubb’s website i.e. to support synergy with Centre communications.

Teaching

ISR runs a teaching module on electricity market design. The postholder would likely be expected to give a lecture on this course and consider its potential relevance (e.g. through dissertations) to the Centre’s stakeholders.

All our programmes contain a significant balance of face-to-face teaching and student support on campus in London, and the role would include some supervision of one or more students at postgraduate level.

General

Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.

Contribute to Institutional citizenship activities by undertaking voluntary roles such as fire marshal or first aider; sit on committees; assist with student open days; contribute to EDI initiatives; or any other voluntary contribution to the department or across UCL.

Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: Copy and paste the following criteria into your application and describe underneath each criterion how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criterion.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD or equivalent experience in disciplines highly relevant to energy/electricity market design and operation (at least MSc plus equivalent experience): Application form/ Interview Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary energy team: Application form/

Skills and abilities

Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, with businesses, policy makers, academics and civil society organisations: Application form/ Interview Commitment to and capability for high-quality research, particularly applied research in the energy field: Application form/ Interview Ability to engage and successfully collaborate across a range of disciplines and stakeholders, including businesses, policy makers and civil society organisations: Application form/ Interview Ability to work collaboratively and as part of an interdisciplinary team: Application form/ Interview Enthusiasm, flexibility, reliability and ability to work effectively to deadlines.: Application form/

UCL Ways of Working

The ability to work harmoniously with colleagues, partners and students of all cultures and backgrounds: Application form/ Interview Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity: Application form/

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge and experience surrounding commercial electricity contract design and trading: Application form/ Interview Experience with engaging with policy makers and policy-making and advisory processes (e.g. calls for evidence) in the UK and Europe: Application form/ Interview Experience with academic publishing: Application form/ Interview Experience in delivering postgraduate taught modules in topics related to electricity markets and systems: Application form/