Bachelor and Master Theses

Context and Motivation

The transition toward electrified and sustainable industrial operations is accelerating, particularly in energy-intensive and remote sectors such as mining and tunneling. In these environments, energy reliability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance are critical for maintaining operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. However, power supply in such contexts is often constrained, off-grid, or unstable, creating challenges for both productivity and emissions reduction.

To address these challenges, a Circular Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model is emerging as a promising solution. In this model, industrial companies—such as Epiroc or mining contractors—access energy storage systems based on certified second-life batteries through a service-oriented offering. The provider manages system delivery, installation, maintenance, monitoring, and eventual recovery within a traceable and compliant circular economy framework.

This approach not only reduces capital investment and downtime but also promotes sustainable sourcing, transparency, and extended battery lifecycles. By integrating mobile or fixed Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with predictive analytics, energy planning tools, and circular supply chain traceability, such models create both economic and environmental value.

However, the widespread adoption of circular BaaS models requires a deeper understanding of how ecosystem actors, value exchanges, and business models interact in industrial contexts. Mapping these relationships is crucial to identifying barriers, enablers, and design principles for scalable circular energy services.

Purpose:
This research aims to map and analyze circular ecosystems and business models for Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions in industrial and mining sectors. The study will focus on identifying the key actors, value flows, and technological enablers that support the deployment of circular, service-based energy storage systems using second-life batteries.

The ultimate goal is to develop a structured framework that illustrates how circular BaaS models can create economic, operational, and environmental value while ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance.

Main Research Question (RQ):
How can circular ecosystems and business models be designed and mapped for Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions in industrial and mining sectors, enabling sustainable, reliable, and compliant energy systems based on second-life batteries?

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 Epiroc. 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.