Job Information
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Modeler/Analyst - Inverter-Based Resource Dynamics for the Future Grid in Golden, Colorado
Posting Title
Modeler/Analyst - Inverter-Based Resource Dynamics for the Future Grid
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Regular
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
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Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Job Description
Are you passionate about power system dynamic and transient simulations? Do you want to help advance the understanding of system-wide grid interactions with high percentages of inverter-based resources (IBRs)
The Transmission and Distribution Interactions (T&D) group in the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC) at NREL is looking for exceptional candidates to join our team and work on faster-timestep (millisecond to microsecond scale) power systems models and studies to enable ever higher levels of renewable energy and storage. Specifically, this role will work closely with NREL research engineers to build RMS-EMT models, run simulations, and conduct analyses to understand and propose solutions to the challenges of integrating high percentages of IBRs into power systems.
The ideal candidate would bring solid knowledge on power system dynamics and EMT modeling, power system stability and control, and modeling and control of inverter-based resources.
We are researchers, engineers, software developers, modelers, physicists, product managers, thought leaders, system thinkers, and life-long learners. We strive to push the boundaries of innovation, integrated analysis, and computational tool development. You would join us in developing innovative modeling approaches, collaboratively applying them with a wide-range of research and industry partners to conduct high-impact analysis and working to articulate current trends and chart future needs in integrated grid systems. A sample of ongoing research areas include: co-simulation and co-design frameworks for future clean power systems; integration of electrification and DERs into transmission and distribution systems; exploring physical, engineering, market, and regulatory interactions among transmission and distribution systems; working directly with U.S. and international communities to directly impact their pursuit of clean energy; techniques to capture highly locational aspects within large-scale analysis; integrating equity into grid systems planning; and much more
Come join a team whose mission is to innovate, inform, and create value for energy systems transitions, including renewable energy, distribution systems, transmission systems, energy storage, markets, and economics and much more.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide grid-scale technical analysis related to power electronics and power systems control of Inverter-based resources
Build and validate large-scale power system RMS/EMT simulations
Integrate, test, and simulate user-written “black box” models for power electronic-based resources within grid models.
Evaluate studies that examine the impact and interactions of a high percentage of IBRs on/with large-scale power systems.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of developers, engineers, and analysts
Present work at conferences, symposia, and project meetings.
Contribute to journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports
Work with other staff to develop proposals and partnerships for funding opportunities
What we can offer:
A collaborative, supportive, flexible, and fun work environment
Training, mentoring, and collaboration to build upon or learn new technical skills
Interesting work where you don’t do the same thing every day
Projects, professional development, and growth opportunities to help you meet your career goals
A professional environment that encourages innovation and imaginative thinking to understand and plan the future electric power system
Adaptable schedule to promote work-life balance.
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Basic Qualifications
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.
Additional Required Qualifications
Experience with power system RMS/EMT software tools such as PSS/E, PSLF, DIgSILENT, PSCAD, EMTP, MATLAB/Simulink, RSCAD, and/or other RMS/ EMT simulation tools.
Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and in team settings.
Preferred Qualifications
Proven expertise with developing, troubleshooting, and in-depth analysis with both power system dynamics (phasor, RMS) and large-scale EMT simulations using widely-used commercial software tools including EMTP, PSS/E, PSCAD, and DIgSILENT.
Experience automating, conducting, and visualizing engineering analyses for large-scale grids, including N-1, N-1-1, and N-k contingencies; frequency response; and multiple stability criteria for both strong and weak grids.
Experience developing and validating dynamic and transient models for both grid-forming and grid-following IBRs with a variety of energy sources, including solar, wind, and storage.
Experience troubleshooting and adapting system-scale RMS/EMT models for convergence, particularly for future scenarios with extensive changes to the generator fleet and widespread transmission expansion.
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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: Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900
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; 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.
* Based on eligibility rules
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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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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.
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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.
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