Plant Controls Intern

RWE•Austin, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Experience an exciting summer internship at RWE Clean Energy, where you'll work with industry experts, contribute to real-world projects, forge valuable connections in a supportive intern cohort, and grow personally and professionally in the sustainable energy sector. The Plant Controls Intern will collaborate with team members to integrate and implement plant control systems for utility-scale renewable energy technologies, including Wind, Solar, and Battery Storage. Engaging with both internal and external stakeholders, the intern will organize workflows for the team members and document the plant control systems implemented in new construction projects. This internship offers the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world systems and gain deeper insights into power systems associated with the renewable energy sector.

Requirements

Enrolled in an accredited US university program, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or related field
Basic understanding and knowledge of Electrical power systems
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
Demonstrated potential for leadership and effective communication, with a commitment to meeting deadlines
Capacity to manage multiple tasks independently and contribute positively to team efforts
Enthusiastic and motivated self-starter with a goal-oriented mindset and strong problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated ability to connect, build relationships, and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Openness to direction, eagerness to learn, and willingness to be challenged and coached

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with theoretical concepts in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA), practical experience is a plus
Awareness of Network layers, protocols, and data communication protocols is advantageous
Entry-level programming skills

Responsibilities

Assist in categorizing project documentation on the team’s SharePoint and prepare metadata files according to document processes and procedures
Collaborate with team members to organize workflows and tasks for all new construction projects using Jira software, ensuring clarity on team roles and responsibilities
Utilize Microsoft Visio software to create layouts illustrating the data and communication paths of plant control systems for at least one power plant based on wind, solar, and Battery Storage
Prepare detailed functional descriptions of plant-level control systems for new construction projects, serving as a handover document post COD for internal operations engineering teams like SCADA Operations and Electrical Engineering, and as evidence for Tax Equity Investors
Learn to review Electrical Engineering Drawings and prepare I/O points lists for new construction projects by identifying various intelligent electronic devices such as relays, meters, etc.
Gain familiarity with various communication protocols like DNP3, SEL, MODBUS, and OPCUA used for implementing various data interfaces
Develop basic RTAC (SEL 3555) programming skills using Accelerator software to initiate a preliminary project for new construction
Acquire knowledge on various network layers and protocols like Telnet, TCP, UDP, ICMP, NTP, VLAN, HTTPS, FTP, NAT, ARP, etc., to understand how connected devices communicate across a network for information exchange
Provide technical support on various regulatory and compliance-related topics such as PRC-002-2, BAL-001-TRE-01, MOD-25-2, MOD-26, MOD-27, etc., aiming to familiarize with grid codes and requirements for various markets