Master Thesis - Digital Transformation in Hydropower

Enabling Digital Transformation in Hydro Operations A Framework for Culture, Competence, and Data-Driven Maintenance.

Background
The energy sector is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, driven by the need for greater efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. In hydropower operations, digital tools and data analytics offer significant potential to improve asset performance, optimize maintenance strategies, and support climate adaptation.

However, the success of this transformation depends not only on technological innovation, but also on the organization’s ability to manage data effectively and adopt new ways of working. This includes addressing practical challenges such as fragmented data sources, limited system integration, and underutilized analytics capabilities.

Fortum, as a leading clean energy company, is exploring how to build a future-ready operations and maintenance (O&M) organization that is not only digital and data-driven, but also grounded in practical, real-world solutions. A key focus is on improving data management practices across the Hydro division to enable smarter decision-making and more efficient operations.

Objective
The objective of this thesis is to:

• This master thesis will focus on exploring methodologies and framework to evaluate how a practically functioning, digital and data-driven organization can be developed within Hydro operations.
• Identify current challenges related to data management, system usage, and operational workflows.
• Propose a practical framework or roadmap for implementing a digitally mature O&M organization, including recommendations for leadership, training, change management, and technical development.

Our offer
At Fortum we see a Thesis Project as a good way to get to know you during your study time and for you to learn more about Fortum and how our business is working. A Supervisor will be appointed to support and guide you through the Thesis Project and you will also create a network of people within the Company as well as with other Students doing their thesis with us.

For a well performed and approved work, we will provide a taxable lumpsum award.

This Thesis Project is preferably executed at one of our offices in either Stockholm/Solna or Göteborg.

Your qualifications
We believe that you are studying Industrial economics and management, Energy engineering, Data science or Computer science, Organizational psychology or similar, at a Master Programme level. Courses or experience in hydropower and operations management are meriting. The Project will be performed in English.

We expect you to be analytical, energetic and able to work independently. You like challenges and are interested in solving complicated technical problems.

Interested?
To apply, register your CV and a personal letter of maximum one page or a Power Point presentation of maximum two slides, in our Recruitment Tool, latest by 23rd November 2025. Applications will be evaluated continuously and an applicant may be selected before this date.

The personal letter shall include an approach on how you would like to investigate the idea. Mark your application with the reference number HYG-184.

If you have General questions about Theses or Internship at Fortum, please address those to fortumcareers@fortum.com

Please note that we have more Master Thesis Projects open for application at our recruitment site.

To be selected, the applicant may need to go through a background clearance with a health examination which may include a drug test. 

At Fortum, we are committed to building diverse teams where everyone feels included and is treated equally.

We are Fortum
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. We generate and deliver reliable energy to our customers and the Nordic energy system while at the same time helping industries decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations comprise efficient and best-in class low-carbon power generation, customer services, and heating and cooling. Fortum’s power generation is already 99% from renewable or nuclear sources with one of the lowest specific CO2-emissions in Europe. We are guided by our ambitious SBTi-validated emission reduction targets on our way towards net-zero by 2040. For our ~4,500 employees, we commit to be a safe and inspiring workplace. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. fortum.com