Senior Associate, Grid Integration and Markets - Carbon-Free Electricity Program

About the role

The Global Electricity Transition (GET) team within RMI’s Carbon-Free Electricity (CFE) program supports the transition of electricity systems globally to support countries in developing clean, affordable, reliable, secure, and economically competitive power systems. We work with power sector decisionmakers to meet these goals through integration of low-cost renewable energy, storage and grid flexibility, and distributed energy resources. We employ a unique combination of research, direct engagement, and collaboration to support individuals and organizations to create and implement transformative energy solutions, including innovative business models, regulation, market design, and operational strategies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on power systems within your project teams, ensuring technical rigor and feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Independently scope and execute multiple analytical workstreams in parallel, especially those related to markets and grids-focused projects, and support team members in scoping and executing analyses.
• Locate, synthesize, and analyze data that allows RMI to shed new light on problems and devise creative solutions.
• Use your research and analysis to develop hypotheses, insights, and recommendations that accelerate clean energy deployment, drawing on various change levers such as deployment of technical solutions, capacity building, mobilization of capital, or power sector planning.
• Advise on and/or help implement RMI's use of key modeling and analytical tools and resources (e.g., power flow models, production cost models, resource adequacy models, accreditation methods, etc.) and apply this to:
• Use, improve, and quality-control both your and teammates' existing models.
• Develop systems to share and organize technical work across project teams.
• Mentor staff to develop and use these tools/skill sets.
• Research novel tools and analytical options that RMI could leverage in future project work, including software innovations such as automation, AI, etc.
• Contribute publicly at conferences, share expertise in response to media requests, and establish and maintain relationships with a network of technical experts that RMI may collaborate with.
• Travel up to 20%, including internationally.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in an applicable field such as engineering (power systems, mechanical, electrical, civil), economics, computer science, or mathematics.
• 4+ years of relevant professional and/or research experience in related fields, such as grid regulation, market operations, utility strategy, engineering, or other fields relevant to the transition of electricity systems to clean energy.
• Demonstrated track record in a project-based work environment and of significant work products (e.g., consulting deliverables, peer-reviewed publications, etc.) on topics relevant to this role.
• Excellent time management, organization, entrepreneurship, and drive.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to think creatively about solutions and change levers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct power systems work experience in the electric utility industry, consulting, grid technology companies, or at an electric regulatory agency, ideally with knowledge of both vertically integrated/state-owned and deregulated markets.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: (i) demand flexibility, (ii) energy storage business models, (iii) utility regulation, (iv) electricity market design, (v) electricity planning (vi) distributed energy integration, (vi) transmission development and planning, (vii) innovative power sector technologies.
• Track record of applied work directly with electricity industry stakeholders including energy ministries, utilities, grid operators, regulators, DER service providers, or other NGOs.
• Interest and ability to communicate technical insights to a general audience.
• Track record of delivering real-world impact through your work.