Bachelor and Master Theses

Context and Motivation

As municipalities play an increasingly central role in the energy transition, new opportunities are emerging to create localized, resilient, and circular energy systems. One promising approach is the development of Smart Municipal Energy Hubs—decentralized energy systems that integrate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into public infrastructure such as schools, elderly care homes, and municipal housing.

By incorporating second-life batteries repurposed from electric vehicles, these hubs not only improve grid stability and energy flexibility but also extend the lifecycle of critical battery materials, contributing to the circular economy. The integration of AI-powered grid software, UPS systems, and modular load-balancing solutions enables municipalities to provide energy-as-a-service—enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving climate resilience.

Municipalities such as Eskilstuna Kommun and Luleå Kommun are beginning to act as solution integrators and service providers, co-developing these decentralized energy ecosystems with technology partners and local utilities. However, to successfully scale such initiatives, there is a need to better understand the circular ecosystem structure—how different stakeholders interact, exchange value, and create long-term sustainability through new business model configurations.

Mapping these relationships and identifying key enablers and barriers are essential steps toward designing viable, circular business ecosystems that align with municipal sustainability goals.

Purpose:

This research aims to map and analyze circular ecosystems and business models for Smart Municipal Energy Hubs integrating second-life BESS. The study will identify key actors, value flows, technologies, and circular strategies that enable municipalities to transition from traditional infrastructure management to service-based, circular energy systems.

The goal is to develop a structured framework that supports municipalities in designing, implementing, and scaling smart, circular energy solutions that balance economic viability, environmental impact, and social value.

Main Research Question (RQ):
How can circular ecosystems and business models be designed and mapped for Smart Municipal Energy Hubs integrating second-life BESS, enabling municipalities to deliver sustainable, resilient, and service-based energy systems?

Research setting and research group 

Thesis work will be performed as part of research project, SmartCharg (Smart and Circular Battery Charging Solutions). You will be working with Eskilstuna Kommun and Luleå Kommun. You can search the projects on MDU webpage for more information. This thesis work will be part of the research group DigiCircle (Digital and Circular Industrial Services). The group is currently leading research projects on battery circularity, digital and circular business models, digital servitization, and circular ecosystems with more than 10 industrial companies, public funded companies, municipalities, and industrial clusters. Your thesis work will be used as a knowledge development as part of the group and will be used in the relevant courses, projects or publications upon completion. 

Education in one of these areas (Industrial engineering and management, product development, innovation management, business management, product and process development, energy engineering and management) and familiar with circular economy, business models, Industry 4.0 or digital transformation.