Clean energy is possible – but market regulation is needed

Photo: Magnus Binnerstam/Mostphotos.

First of all: Congratulations! How does it feel to be a doctor?

“Thank you very much. Honestly, after studying and working on such a big thing for many years, it feels a bit strange that it is finished and I’m on the other side of it. Being a doctor, as a personal goal, gives me mixed feelings of pride, relief and gratitude.”

Can you tell us about your research topic?

“Sure! In short, I looked at how we can run cleaner electricity systems. By that I mean systems that rely more on wind and solar, and still keep things stable and fair. It turns out that in countries like Norway and Sweden, we have a lot of hydropower – which is super flexible. That’s great, but if the companies that own that hydropower act strategically – like holding back electricity to raise prices – it can create some problems. So I studied how these behaviors affect the big picture: Climate goals, electricity prices, and how we should plan the power grid.”

What are your conclusions from the thesis?

“One main thing I found is that markets don’t always behave the way we hope, especially when a few big players hold a lot of power. In a perfect world, clean energy and good climate policies would be enough. But in reality, companies might use their flexibility – like with hydro – to increase profits. Sometimes at the cost of efficiency or fairness. That doesn’t mean the goals are wrong. It just means we need to be smart about market design and grid planning. The way we build and regulate the system really matters.”

”Energy sits right at the intersection of climate, policy, technology and fairness”, says Farzad Hassanzadeh Moghimi. Photo: Åse Karlén.

In your opinion, will we be able to meet the Nordic carbon neutrality goals?

“I think the goals are ambitious but achievable. The Nordic countries have a lot going for them: Clean energy, good cooperation and a history of innovation. But getting to carbon neutrality isn’t just about adding more renewables. It’s about making sure the system stays balanced, fair and well-regulated. My advice to policymakers would be: Don’t just trust the market to sort everything out. Keep a close eye on how companies behave, make sure carbon prices reflect real environmental costs, and invest in the infrastructure that helps electricity flow where it’s needed most.”

How did you become interested in energy and renewables?

“I think it started with a general interest in electrical systems, like the power system. And the more I learned about power system operations, the electricity market and real world challenges of moving to a clean energy future – the more hooked I got. Energy sits right at the intersection of climate, policy, technology and fairness. Doing a PhD gave me the chance to really explore that intersection deeply, and to try contributing something meaningful.”

What happens next?

“Right now, I’m really focused on using what I’ve learned to make a difference in the energy sector. During the PhD, I gained a lot of insight into how systems behave – not just in theory, but in practice. And I want to apply that in my current role to help shape smarter energy decisions, especially as we transition to cleaner sources. I still love research, and I’m open to future projects or collaborations. But for now, the priority is taking all that knowledge and putting it to work in the real world. That’s where I feel I can have the most impact”, says Farzad Hassanzadeh Moghimi.

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Text: Åse Karlén