Affordable Clean Energy Policy Intern - Remote, US

Climate-driven events such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and severe storms—combined with rapid planned electrification of transportation, buildings, and industry—are driving significant new investments in electric grid infrastructure. The Affordable Clean Energy Policy Internship will provide you a hands-on experience at the intersection of energy policy, electrification, grid modernization, and affordability. This internship focuses on how to decarbonize the electric grid and electrify major energy end uses while controlling or reducing electricity costs for consumers and businesses. In this role, you will explore how beneficial electrification, demand-side management, and load flexibility can improve grid utilization, reduce fixed costs per kilowatt-hour, and ultimately lower customer rates. 

You will work under the guidance of and in collaboration with senior policy experts in clean energy and decarbonization to create a survey of analysis work done to date. In addition, you will create and author high-level/back-of-the-envelope models to sanity check claims of the efficacy of electrification strategies to address affordability. Finally, you will estimate the magnitude of impacts from full electrification in different sectors. Ideally, an outcome of this work is a published white paper and conference paper and presentation. 

In this role, you will gain or deepen knowledge of:

• Electrification and Load Growth Analysis 
• Electric Rates and Affordability 
• Demand-Side Management and Load Flexibility 
• Grid Infrastructure and Non-Wires Alternatives 

Your deliverables will include:

• A research-based whitepaper on electrification, grid costs, and affordability
• Summary tables and figures quantifying costs and savings of avoided infrastructure and demand-side management
• An executive summary for policymakers and stakeholders including recommendations for next steps to optimize the grid
• A presentation summarizing the paper’s findings

As a result of this experience, you will:

• Possess hands-on experience in clean energy policy research
• Understand electrification impacts on grid planning and rates
• Produce professional research and writing sample

To enable you for success, we are seeking candidates with these qualifications:

• Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in clean energy policy, science, engineering, economics, or related field 
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills 
• Interest in clean energy, electrification, and utility regulation

Compensation: 

• Undergraduate student: $21/hr
• Graduate student: $24/hr

In order to be eligible for this position, you must be:

• Currently enrolled full- or part-time in an undergraduate program as a second to fourth-year student or enrolled in a graduate program
  • Please note we are unable to accept applications from first-year undergraduate students or recent graduates who are not enrolled in a program
• A US Citizen or permanent resident
  • Please note we are unable to host international students
• Available to meet your weekly hours requirement between May and August for Summer and between September and November for Fall
• Motivated by the Energy Solutions’ mission to reduce carbon emissions with an equity lens

You may apply to up to 2 positions per cycle.

To apply, please submit:

• Your updated resume/CV
• 2 short essays that meets the criteria below
• A work sample that meets the criteria below

Your short essays must:

• Be original documents written by you. We will not accept work written by or with the assistance of ChatGPT or other AI/chatbot programs.
• Be 500 words or less each.
• Answer the following prompts:
  1. Describe how you have overcome adversity and applied the lessons learned to your academic, professional, or personal life.
  2. Describe how the internship you apply for will enhance or help launch your career in an energy related industry.

Your work sample must:

• Be an original document written by you. We will not accept work written by or with the assistance of ChatGPT or other AI/chatbot programs. You are permitted to submit a section of a larger document, including a document you wrote in collaboration with others, so long as the section you submit is entirely your own work.
• Be between 1 and 3 pages long, single or double spaced, not including sources. You may submit a document longer than 3 pages but we will not read past the 3rd page.
• Demonstrate your ability to communicate your thinking about an idea. This is vague by design; anything that you wrote—whether for a class, a job, or for personal reasons—and are proud of will probably suffice.
• Focus on a topic important to you. The topic does not have to be related to the internship you are applying for, but if it is, all the better.

We will not make exceptions regarding the application criteria.

Please reach out to internships@energy-solution.com with any questions. Applications sent in via email will not be accepted.

If you are interested in a Fall position, check back in summer.