Explainable infrastructure design for effective and efficient energy usage

This thesis explores using explainable AI to identify optimal locations for new power grid infrastructure in the Netherlands. With the rise in renewable energy sources, the goal is to develop a model that provides valuable insights and addresses grid expansion challenges.

Required interest(s)

• XAI
• Sustainable Energy
• Geo-Data

What do you get

• A challenging assignment within a practical environment
• € 1000 compensation, € 500 + lease car or € 600 + living space
• Professional guidance
• Courses aimed at your graduation period
• Support from our academic Research center at your disposal
• Two vacation days per month

What you will do

• 65% Research
• 10% Analyze, design, realize
• 25% Documentation

In 2022, the collective solar panel capacity installed on residential roofs grew by over 30% compared to the previous year. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the use of charging stations and heat pumps throughout the Netherlands. While this progress is great news for the transition towards renewable energy and European climate objectives, it also puts considerable (peak) pressure on the power grid. Grid operators have responded by increasing capacity through laying new cables and erecting hundreds of additional transformer houses. However, determining the optimal locations for new infrastructure can be challenging due to existing infrastructure, available space, and other factors.

The assignment

A substantial amount of data on power grid usage, grid infrastructure, and capacity has already been made available by grid operators. This thesis aims to research the possibilities of using explainable AI to create insights into where new infrastructure is most needed and to identify suitable locations for its placement. The primary focus of this assignment is to find an explainable model, determine how it can be used, and understand its limitations. Delivering a set of suitable locations is secondary and serves more as a demonstration of what is possible with the available open data. In addition to the data provided by grid operators, other open data sources may also be used.

About Info Support Research Center

We anticipate on upcoming and future challenges and ensures our engineers develop cutting-edge solutions based on the latest scientific insights. Our research community proactively tackles emerging technologies. We do this in cooperation with renowned scientists, making sure that research teams are positioned and embedded throughout our organisation and our community, so that their insights are directly applied to our business. We truly believe in sharing knowledge, so we want to do this without any restrictions.

What does Info Support offer you during your graduation period?

Of course, we offer you an excellent package of graduation conditions with various options. These include:

• Laptop, all necessary tools, and development environments to successfully carry out your assignment
• A graduation allowance, where you have the choice of:
• € 1000 gross per month
• € 500 gross per month + lease car with fuel card
• € 600 gross per month + accommodation in Veenendaal

During your graduation internship, you will be included in one of our business units and in our Research Center. This will give you a good understanding of the developments within our projects and our research projects.

In addition, Info Support offers you:

• A challenging master’s thesis at a solid, growing, and financially healthy company
• Professional and experienced guidance, hybrid working
• A graduation program with, among other things, training sessions, knowledge evenings, project visits, activities, and team, unit, and company outings
• Experimentation with new products and releases that are in the pre-release phase
• Brainstorming with other graduates and IT colleagues who are collegial and passionate
• Potential for a permanent position in our IT Top Traineeship program!

About Info Support

Info Support specializes in custom software, data/AI solutions, management, and training and is active in the Finance, Industry, Agriculture, Food & Retail, Mobility & Public, and Healthcare sectors. We provide solid and innovative solutions for complex and critical software issues. Our headquarters are located in Veenendaal (NL) and Mechelen (BE). At present, approximately 500 employees are employed by Info Support.

Info Support’s working method is characterized by a number of core values: solidity, integrity, craftsmanship, and passion. These core values are intertwined in our work and the way we interact with each other. This year, we were also named a Top Employer in the Netherlands!

To ensure that all employees are always up to date with the latest developments, Info Support has an in-house knowledge center that eagerly satisfies the hunger for more or different knowledge and skills.

B2 language proficiency in Dutch is required.