Graduate (Year-Round) Intern – Modeling, Real-Time Simulation and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) Testing of Distribution Systems

National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Golden, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Power Systems Engineering Center at The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) focuses on conducting research projects to improve power systems operations. We develop cutting edge solutions and work closely with industry and utility partners to enhance grid reliability, resilience, and security. Our team is looking for a graduate level intern who has solid background on simulation and hardware in the loop testing of microgrids in distribution systems. An ideal candidate is expected to have a good knowledge of dynamic modeling of distribution systems, relay programming, microgrid controller programming as well as setting up controller hardware in the loop (CHIL) interfaces for real-time simulators. This will be a 3 to 6 month opportunity. The preferred candidate would be working on Setting up CHIL interfaces using commercial microgrid controllers and relays for real-time simulation models of microgrids Conducting Hardware in the Loop (HIL) experiments using real-time simulation models of distribution feeders and hardware microgrid controllers Implementing sequence of operations for grid-connected and islanded operation of utility-scale microgrids in commercial microgrid controllers Analyzing high-resolution data collected from real-time simulations and HIL experiments of distribution feeders using Python Contributing and/or leading the writing of research papers and working closely with NLR researchers and delivering high-impact work Note: this position requires regular laboratory testing and in-person work arrangements at NLR's South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO are required. This role is not eligible to fully remote work arrangements.

Requirements

• 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 PhD student from an accredited institution.
• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Master’s program, or currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Systems or a related field
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in power system modeling, dynamics, and control (OpenDSS or similar)
• Experience in programming commercial relays and microgrid controllers
• Experience in working with RTDS simulator, devices like SEL RTAC and SEL relays
• Self-motivated, having good problem-solving capability, and ability to follow project timelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good programming skills in Python

Nice To Haves

• Experience in conducting power hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and controller HIL experiments for distribution systems
• Experience in setting up microgrid controllers and relays

Responsibilities

• Setting up CHIL interfaces using commercial microgrid controllers and relays for real-time simulation models of microgrids
• Conducting Hardware in the Loop (HIL) experiments using real-time simulation models of distribution feeders and hardware microgrid controllers
• Implementing sequence of operations for grid-connected and islanded operation of utility-scale microgrids in commercial microgrid controllers
• Analyzing high-resolution data collected from real-time simulations and HIL experiments of distribution feeders using Python
• Contributing and/or leading the writing of research papers and working closely with NLR researchers and delivering high-impact work

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• sick leave (where required by law)
• NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component.
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees