EngD Position: RWE – Carbon Capture optimization

The University of Groningen is committed to strengthening the Northern Netherlands by addressing modern challenges such as energy transition and sustainability. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) contributes to this mission by training skilled professionals through our new EngD programme in Sustainable Process Design. This 2-year post-master design programme, closely collaborating with local companies, focuses on the direct needs of the industry.

The Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG-part of the FSE) of the University of Groningen is offering a fully funded 2-year position to master graduates leading to the award of an EngD (Engineering Doctorate) degree. The EngD programme includes specialized EngD and professionalization courses at the University of Groningen and a design project which will be performed at RWE. The offered position is in the context of the project RWE – Carbon Capture optimization. The appointment is for two years starting in September 2024.

RWE is one of the world's leading players in the field of energy generation from renewable sources such as wind and solar. The company develops, builds and operates in more than 20 countries on five continents and aims to rapidly expand the number of sustainable energy generating processes.

RWE is developing BECCUS (Bio- Energy, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) at their Amer and Eemshaven power stations. With this development, a total of 14 million tons of CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere every year, resulting in negative emissions while providing power and heat for the Dutch market.

While RWE is developing the design for the Eemshaven and Amer power stations with their partners, the system design is to be evaluated and optimization options are to be explored. As a EngD, you will be the link between the academic insights in carbon capture technology, the proposed design by the partners of RWE, and provide system analyses, optimization options, and design proposals for the carbon capture plant. The goal of the project at RWE will give insights into the optimization options for the amine-based carbon capture system and their impact on the CapEx and OpEx.

The project will be executed in hybrid mode at the power station in Eemshaven (NL), at the headquarters in Essen (D) and from home. You will be working with an international Strategic Development team and RWEs international engineering team.