Function

Elia is strengthening its « Scenarios, Market and Adequacy Analysis (SMA) » department to address the challenges of the changing energy system. This department analyses developments within the Belgian and European energy system and carries out studies on the energy future, security of supply, flexibility, the transmission grid and interconnection projects.

As a Flexibility Needs Assessment Expert, you will contribute directly to the energy transition by helping to determine how much flexibility the Belgian electricity system will need in the future.

You will be part of the team responsible for Elia's Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA), a forward-looking study that assesses the flexibility needs of the Belgian electricity system. Driven by European regulation, this assessment is carried out every two years and provides important insights for Elia and its stakeholders, including regulators, distribution system operators, public authorities and market parties.

With the next FNA to be delivered in 2028, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a highly visible study with a tangible impact on the future Belgian energy system. Your role combines quantitative analysis and modelling with methodology development, stakeholder management and project leadership.

In addition, you will take follow up with colleagues on the development of flexibility in the system, advising colleagues on to improve scenarios and expectations on adequacy, flexibility and balancing needs, to develop short-term forecasts on available flexibility,  shortages and identify mitigation measures and to define market and product strategy recommendations on the development of flexibility.

Your responsibilities

• You follow up on legislation and European evolutions concerning the requirements on flexibility needs assessments  
• You develop and continously improve quantitative methods and processes for conducting flexibility needs assessment
• Explore new concepts and analytical approaches, challenge existing methodologies and turn new ideas into robust and implementable solutions.
• Perform quantitative analyses and calculations using tools such as Python and Excel, critically interpret the results and translate them into clear conclusions.
• Explain and defend methodologies, assumptions and results towards key stakeholders such as CREG, Belgian DSO’s and market parties.
• Translate complex quantitative analyses into clear, concise and convincing messages.
• Together with your colleagues, develop and present the Flexibility Needs Assessment report and contribute to the communication of its key findings.
• Take ownership of key workstreams within the FNA and coordinate contributions across the different internal and external stakeholders involved.
• Manage planning, dependencies and deliverables to ensure the study is delivered on time and in line with regulatory and stakeholder expectations.

Your Profile

• You have about 5 years of relevant experience, conducting quantitative analyses on electricity market subjects. You are familiar with operations research tools such as economic dispatch models.
• You hold a Master's degree in engineering, commercial engineering, economics, applied mathematics or another relevant quantitative field.
• You are passionate about the energy system and the challenges it faces. You closely follow developments and key trends in the Belgian and European energy sector.
• You have a strong analytical mindset and can translate complex questions into structured quantitative analyses.
• You have hands-on experience performing analyses in Python and/or Excel and are comfortable developing or improving analytical approaches yourself.
• You are curious and creative: you enjoy exploring new methodologies, challenging assumptions and finding pragmatic solutions to complex problems.
• You communicate clearly and convincingly and know how to adapt your message to your audience. You can explain technical concepts in an accessible way and confidently defend your reasoning using facts and quantitative evidence.
• You feel comfortable engaging with a variety of stakeholders, including regulators, DSOs, market parties and internal experts.
• You combine autonomy with teamwork. You are proactive, result-oriented and comfortable taking ownership and leading a complex workstream or project.
• You are able to organise your work autonomously, set priorities and keep different contributors aligned towards a common deadline.
• You are fluent in English and in either Dutch or French, both spoken and written. Knowledge of the other national language is considered a strong asset given the Belgian stakeholder environment.

Why choose us?

Do you want to contribute to the energy transition and help shape analyses that define the energy system of tomorrow? As a Flexibility Needs Assessment, you develop forward-looking studies work with the key players in the sector and contribute to identifying the strategic solutions on the energy future of Belgium and Europe. You work in a team of passionate energy market experts, in an environment at the heart of the energy sector.

Offer

Location