Undergraduate/Graduate (3-12 Month, Remote) Intern

About the Role

The Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking one or two interns to work in the area of power systems and power electronics interfaces. This internship involves dynamic modeling and validation of power systems with a high percentage of inverter-based resources and evaluating their impact on power grids.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical analysis related to power electronics and power systems control of renewable generation, battery energy storage systems, and large industrial drives.
• Build power system EMT simulation and perform power system validation.
• Integrate, test, and use user-written “black box” models in PSCAD for wind turbine generators, solar inverters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), or other advanced power electronic-based systems.
• Evaluate studies examining the impact of a high percentage of inverter-based resources on power systems.
• Write and publish results of analysis in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
• Follow all Environmental, Safety, and Health policies to ensure and maintain a safe working environment.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience with power system EMT software tools such as PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT, RSCAD, or other EMT simulation tools.
• Solid knowledge on power system EMT modeling, power system stability, and control.
• Solid knowledge on the modeling and control of inverter-based resources.
• Ability to present technical results to multi-stakeholder audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or project experience in power system or power electronics modeling.
• Coursework or project experience using Python, R, or similar programming languages.
• Experience with RTDS modeling and HIL testing.
• Basic familiarity with EMTP-RV and/or EMTP-ATP.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as a PhD student from an accredited institution.

Note: Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts as part of the application process. If selected, a letter of recommendation will be required. Educational requirements must be met prior to the employment start date.