Senior Electric Distribution System Planning Research Engineer - Resilience and Grid Integration

Nrel•Golden, CO

30d

About The Position

NREL is seeking an enthusiastic and driven power distribution system planning engineer within the Strategic Energy Analysis and Decision Sciences (SEADS) directorate within the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC). The SEADS directorate contributes to an exciting portfolio of energy analysis, grid futures studies, applying advanced modeling and simulation tools to optimally plan, design, and analyze distribution and bulk power systems. You would join us in researching, supporting and advancing electric distribution systems research, using power-flow modeling, optimization, machine-learning, neural networks, capacity modeling, forecasting techniques, statistical analysis, and data analysis among other research techniques. You would join a highly collaborative team of distribution researchers who are focused on delivering a reliable, affordable, and resilient grid of the future. This team works with distribution utilities, regulators, and government entities across the U.S. and internationally, and works across multiple Department of Energy offices. The team focuses on major challenges including capacity expansion of the distribution system to enable load growth from buildings and vehicles, large loads, and integration of distributed energy resources. Examples of ongoing research and analysis include: Integrated distribution planning Grid integration of rapid customer growth Advanced hosting capacity analyses Grid interconnection planning Capacity expansion of distribution systems Building electrification and flexibility DER grid services and markets Grid resilience analysis for distribution planning Our work informs technology developers, policymakers, and utilities by developing and analyzing future grid scenarios that answer critical questions about how the electric grid is transforming. This position seeks an enthusiastic and driven candidate who can advance and grow distribution systems research at NREL.

Requirements

Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience . Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, data science, or related discipline
Experience in at least one aspect of; distributed generation integration, distribution system analysis, distribution system planning, distributed energy resources, energy storage, building and vehicle electrification, flexible loads, or grid resilience.
Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills

Nice To Haves

Advanced modeling and analyses of distribution systems
Experience working with the U.S. Department of Energy
Experience with research proposal development
Collaborating with research experts from a wide group of skillsets
Writing and publishing results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals and/or technical reports
Experience with power-flow modeling (e.g., OpenDSS, Synergi, CYME, WindMil, etc.)
Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, Julia, R, etc.)
Developing innovative research topics that expand the research space
Contribute to the projects and teams that contribute to the advancement of science leading to innovating power grid operations and planning
Collaborating with research experts from wide group of skillsets
Communicates an inspiring vision of the future across the organization
Experience communicating energy modelling results to a wide range of audiences including policymakers and other decision makers.
Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills

Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement.
NREL 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.
Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

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