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

About the role

The Power Systems Engineering Center at The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) focuses on improving power systems operations through research projects. The team develops cutting-edge solutions and collaborates with industry and utility partners to enhance grid reliability, resilience, and security.

Responsibilities

• Develop cutting edge solutions and work closely with industry and utility partners to enhance grid reliability, resilience, and security
• 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

Requirements

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• 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

Qualifications

• 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
• 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
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution

Skills

• Power system modeling, dynamics, and control (OpenDSS or similar)
• Programming commercial relays and microgrid controllers
• Working with RTDS simulator, devices like SEL RTAC and SEL relays
• Setting up microgrid controllers and relays
• Conducting power hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and controller HIL experiments for distribution systems

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*
• Sick leave (where required by law)

Pay

$44,500 - $71,200 annually

Schedule

3 to 6 month opportunity