Shaping change: this is what drives us at Forschungs­zentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association with some 7,600 employees, we conduct interdisciplinary research into a digitalized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a sustainable economy. We focus on the natural, life, and engineering sciences in the fields of information, energy, and bioeconomy. We combine this with expertise in high‑performance computing and artificial intelligence using unique scientific infrastructures.

A promising technology investigated at the Institute of Energy Technologies – Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET‑1) is the reversible Solid Oxide Cell (rSOC), which enables the efficient conversion of electrical energy into hydrogen and vice versa. Coupled with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, rSOC systems play an important role in future sustainable energy infrastructures.
Due to the high operating temperature, heat management is an important part of the overall system design. Internal heat recovery, thermal energy storage and external process heat may reduce the electrical heating demand and improve system efficiency. However, these options also increase system complexity.

Join our team

Master Thesis – Heat Integration and Thermal Energy Storage in Reversible Solid Oxide Cell Systems

The objective of this thesis is to analyse selected heat integration and thermal energy storage concepts for an rSOC system. The work builds on models developed in Aspen Plus and MATLAB/Simulink, which will be extended with suitable thermal components. Selected system layouts and operating cases will be compared from a technical and preliminary economic perspective. Depending on the final scope, heat integration with a downstream synthesis process may also be investigated.

Your Responsibilities Within the Team

• Literature review on heat integration and thermal energy storage in SOEC, SOFC and rSOC systems
  
• Familiarisation with Aspen Plus and MATLAB/​Simulink modelling
  
• Definition of relevant system boundaries, operating cases, heat sources and heat sinks
  
• Development and implementation of selected heat integration or thermal energy storage concepts
  
• Modelling and preliminary sizing of heat exchangers and thermal energy storage components
  
• Simulation and comparison of selected system layouts
  
• Technical and preliminary economic evaluation of the investigated concepts
  
• Documentation and critical discussion of assumptions, methods and results
  
• Opportunity to contribute to further scientific work or a publication
  

Expected Results

The thesis should provide a structured comparison of selected heat integration and thermal energy storage concepts for an rSOC system. The results should show how the investigated concepts affect system efficiency, electrical heating demand and economic performance. The developed model extensions should also support later studies on system design, applications, specific layouts and operating strategies.

• Currently pursuing a master's degree in process engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or a comparable field of study
• Strong interest in energy systems, thermodynamics and process modelling
• Basic knowledge of heat transfer, heat exchangers and energy balances
• Experience with Aspen Plus, MATLAB or Simulink is preferred
• Knowledge of thermal energy storage and its process integration is beneficial
• Experience in programming (especially MATLAB/​Simulink) is preferred
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to work as part of a team
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but certainly appreciated.

• Meaningful Tasks: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• Practical relevance: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• Scientific environment: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• Onboarding & teamwork: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Flexibility: Flexible working hours make it easier for you to balance work and study
• Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options – you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view
• Fair remuneration: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/​identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey