Graduate Intern

Posting Title

Graduate Intern - Data Center Load Modeling for Transmission Planning Studies

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

NREL is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join NREL, where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The Grid Optimization and Control Group at NREL is looking for a highly motivated intern to join our team and support the development of composite data center load models for transmission planning studies. The internship will focus on building and validating both detailed EMT (electromagnetic transient) models and RMS-based phasor models to represent the unique characteristics of modern data centers. With the rapid growth of data centers as critical loads on the grid, this work will directly contribute to improving reliability, stability, and protection strategies for transmission systems.

Main job duties include:

• Gather and analyze technical data on data center electrical architecture, including UPS systems, PDUs, cooling systems, and backup generation
• Develop and validate component-level models (e.g., UPS with PFC, PDU, VFD), and build a composite data center load model that integrates IT load, power electronic interfaces, and motor-driven auxiliaries
• Implement detailed EMT models in simulation platforms (e.g., PSCAD, RTDS) to capture fast transients and fault behavior
• Validate the EMT models using real-world data
• Build corresponding RMS phasor models for transmission planning tools (e.g., PSS®E, and PSLF) to enable computationally efficient studies
• Perform side-by-side comparisons between EMT and RMS models to assess accuracy and applicability for different planning scenarios
• Document modeling methods, assumptions, and validation results in a clear and reproducible format
• Collaborate with planning and protection engineers to ensure models meet practical study requirements
• Contributing to the development of technical reports and research papers

Learning Opportunities

• Gain hands-on experience with utility-grade EMT and RMS modeling tools used in industry and research
• Learn how data centers impact grid stability and how to model their interactions with the bulk power system
• Collaborate with experienced planning, protection, and inverter modeling engineers
• Contribute to real-world studies on transmission planning, protection design, and stability assessment
• Opportunity to co-author technical reports or publications based on project outcomes

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Basic Qualifications

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.

Please Note:
• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Completed an undergraduate degree in power systems, electrical engineering, or related field, and be pursuing or graduated from a master's degree, or currently enrolled in a PhD program in these fields

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with power electronics, machine and drives, dynamic load modeling, and power system stability
• Experience with EMT simulation tools (e.g., PSCAD or EMTP)     
• Strong programming/analytical skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Strong communication and technical writing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with phasor-domain tools (e.g., PSS®E, PSLF) is preferred

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $43,700 - $69,900

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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