Unpredictable and risky – this is what energy markets may seem to be at first, but mathematical models help to assess risks and simulate future scenarios. On the International Day of Mathematics, three MET International experts explain how this universal language supports them day in, day out.
“In my field, mathematical ideas allow me to represent global energy markets, with millions of transactions, assets, and decisions, in models that remain logically consistent and interpretable,” says Fabian Bissig, Data Analytics Team Lead for MET Group’s trading arm, MET International (METI). For him, the beauty of mathematics lies in its ability to describe complex real-world systems with clear and precise structures.
Clarity is important as MET Group operates in 33 different national energy markets. “Modelling the gas market is a complex challenge that relies heavily on advanced mathematics. To reproduce market behaviour as realistically as possible, we use mathematical models specific to energy markets,” explains Quentin Alliel, FX & Options Trader at METI. This mathematical framework makes it possible to develop future scenarios with greater confidence.
When you try to understand the puzzling world of the energy sector, mathematics becomes your mother tongue. As Analytics Engineer Jonathan Addo puts it, the beauty of mathematics “lies in the fact that it is almost like another language. It provides a precise way to describe patterns, relationships, and ideas that would be difficult to express clearly with words alone.”
“A well-designed model enables us to remain competitive”
The three experts illustrate how mathematics underpins their daily work – from Fabian’s detailed modelling of power plants, pipelines, storage, and LNG infrastructure to Jonathan’s forecasting of gas demand, gas‑to‑power flows, and power‑plant availability. Quentin adds that mathematics sits at the heart of the options business, enabling him to model market dynamics accurately so options can be priced effectively and competitively.
Even outside working hours, the three MET Group employees find mathematics useful in daily life. Quentin uses it to break down complex situations, weigh options, and manage uncertainty, giving him a structured way of thinking he applies beyond work. Jonathan, meanwhile, believes mathematics fosters disciplined reasoning and helps him assess uncertainty in everyday decisions.
For Fabian, working with global market models shapes how he approaches problems, giving him a systems‑level mindset that naturally carries over into how he optimises processes and evaluates trade‑offs in daily life.