Energy Scenarios Expert Service (SRQ109752)

Mission description:

Excited to work on a project for a key Belgian player in the energy landscape? The Belgian and European energy landscape is in full swing. Did you know that the organization plays a crucial role in this? As part of a European transmission system operator, the organization ensures the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply in our country.

Side-by-side with other Contingent Workers and staff, you will play a part in building a sustainable, green and reliable energy infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and reduces our ecological footprint. Only together can we make the biggest impact possible! We believe in the power of diversity: we are convinced that an inclusive and diverse work environment leads to more innovation, creativity and better results.

You know everything ongoing in the energy world, you are the one that people go to when having a question on the new policies in Germany or about a certain energy technology? Then you might be the person we are looking for.

Service description:

The Belgian transmission system operator (TSO) carries out a broad range of activities beyond operating and developing the electricity grid. These include system planning, market-related studies, security of supply assessments, and analyses supporting future network investments. Such work relies on modelling tools that simulate the electricity system and assess key indicators such as capacity needs, market outcomes, and system adequacy over long-term horizons.

Within the organization, these activities are performed by the Scenarios, Market & Adequacy Analysis (SMA) team. The purpose of this assignment is to provide additional on-site support to that team for activities related to the development of short and long-term energy outlooks and future electricity system scenarios, which serve as inputs to our market and adequacy studies.

The consultant will contribute to the preparation and maintenance of assumptions describing the future evolution of the power sector, both in Belgium and across Europe. This includes analysing trends in electricity consumption from sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, as well as developments on the generation side, including renewable and conventional technologies.

A solid understanding of the European electricity sector and energy transition framework is crucial. The consultant should be familiar with the main policy objectives, regulatory developments, and decarbonisation strategies affecting the energy sector in Belgium and in other main countries in Europe.

The role also involves interaction with external stakeholders and the processing of information collected through public sources, consultations, and industry exchanges. Previous experience coordinating stakeholder input or consultation process is required.

The work requires handling and consolidating large datasets, developing and reviewing analytical tools, and preparing reports, presentations, and visual materials. Experience with electricity market modelling or power system simulations would be considered an advantage.

The organization is therefore looking for a pro-active, “energy geek”. We are looking for a medior profile with coding skills but mainly with strong interest and knowledge in the energy sector, that is interested by the energy transition and that will help the team getting the right data. We’re looking for someone who will always question the scenarios data, someone able and willing to challenge projections in the energy sector, for Belgium or other EU main countries.

The consultant will help to perform different tasks in different projects within the Future Energy Scenarios team:

• Collect, challenge, improve the quality of the energy scenarios for Belgium and other EU countries;
• Contribute, and when possible improve, data collection processes and definition – creation of scenarios;
• Prepare slides, presentation, workshops, etc. to discuss with stakeholders and reach alignment;
• Support our weekly newsletter on market intelligence.

Additional example of tasks

A non-exhaustive list of tasks:

1. Consolidate historical data into a model input data set.
2. Collect projection scenarios from EU countries, and challenge the data, ensure those are in line with defined storylines;
3. Prepare slides for stakeholders on energy scenarios;
4. Create & review tools in R/Python/VBA/Excel in order to input/change different parameters or data items in the model or simulation ANTARES tool;
5. Create or improve visualisations of the data (in R, Power BI, Qgis, …)

Requirements:

Hard skills

• R or Python (must have) - R is extensively used in existing tools at SMA. However new tools are rather developed now in Python. Hence, proficiency in one of the two is a must, but experience with both is a plus.
• Excel (‘must have’) and VBA (‘nice to have’) - Excel and VBA are used to conduct analyses or as interface for R/python scripts. It is one of the ways the team explores data (up to a certain size). Many of the databases used by SMA are stored in Excel format.
• ANTARES (mainly the input/output interface but also a general knowledge of economic dispatch tool is a ‘nice to have’) - ANTARES is an economic dispatch tool developed by RTE, the French TSO. In the application’s core is an economic dispatch tool for the electricity market. Antares allows to simulate the electricity market on an hourly basis. The tool needs to be fed with input data and given the large quantity of data generated by the simulator (depending on the study, more than 10 GB per simulation), several scripts and spreadsheets were developed to input, retrieve data and analyse it. Any experience with market simulations can be valued here.

Soft skills

• Medior profile: 3 yrs experience minimum.
• You have knowledge of and strong interest in the energy market;
• You are able to work independently and in a team;
• You have an analytical and innovative mind;
• Fluent level of Dutch and/or French and English is required.

About the profile:

• You are passionate about the energy transition
• You are interested to deliver high quality tools to improve the team’s functioning
• You are looking to invest a team on the medium term where you could face challenging projects and grow an expertise

Additional information:

• Location: Empereur and can vary depending on where the SMA team will be. The location will be known at least one week in advance.
• Onsite presence: a physical presence on site is required for 3 days per week.
• Work regime: 100%

Important: for non-EU candidates, please present candidates who comply with the following criteria:

• Possess a work permit allowing the individual to work in Belgium.
• Hold a valid residence permit confirming the right of residence in Belgium.

There’s something electric in the air with this mission!

What makes this mission attractive?

• An interesting project at the reference within the energy sector: the organization encourages innovation and collaboration. Within the company you will be at the forefront of the energy transition, and you will have the chance to contribute to ground-breaking technologies designed to accelerate this transition. It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to demonstrate your skills and develop further your competences within this project.
• Focus on well-being at work: we put maximum effort into a positive work culture in which your well-being is central.
• A diverse team of co-workers: the organization puts a high value on diversity and inclusion. You will join a diverse and passionate team that enjoys sharing knowledge and leading the way towards a more sustainable future together.

We are convinced that your contribution to our team will be invaluable and look forward to welcoming you soon!