Energy Forecasting Intern - Spring 2024 (Flexible)

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently-managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own-making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

What's In it for You

Our purpose is to lead the way to tomorrow's energy network. Your work as an intern can impact millions of people who depend on electricity for their everyday lives.

• This is a paid, part-time internship for 10 -12 weeks during Spring 2024, with the option to extend into a full-time role through Summer 2024.
• You will get "real world" experience to begin or further your career pursuits in the energy industry.
• You get to work on interesting and challenging assignments that will help grow your skill set.
• You will work in an extremely collaborative environment inside our LEED certified Folsom, California campus (if you choose to be onsite).
• Opportunities to interact with the CEO and the Executive team of the ISO
• Invitations to seminars on the latest energy industry topics such as renewables, electric cars and micro grids.
• Potential field trips.
• Social activities with other interns such as barbecues and movie nights.

What You Will Be Doing

You will function as additionally to the Short Term Forecasting Team to the company by producing big data analysis looking at renewable resources, weather forecast accuracy, renewable forecast accuracy and learning more about how we translate model data into system load and wind and solar production forecasts for internal and external clients.

• Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.  
• Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. Work across the organization at evaluating over 400 renewable resources to improve processes of the new resource onboarding as we work towards 100% renewables on the system.  
• Gather and interpret various forecasting data to formulate short and medium-range forecasts critical to the bulk electric system. Validate and improve the accuracy of daily load, wind, and solar forecasts.   
• Conduct post-analysis to evaluate forecast accuracy. Seek to improve forecasting accuracy. Continuously improve understanding of forecasting developments within the meteorological field and the impact of such developments to the organization.  
• Research, develop and implement new forecasting tools and interfaces through the use of computer programming. Maintain superior computer skills. Create, maintain, and analyze weather databases. Enhance current or developing tools through knowledge of computer programming languages such as R, VBA, Python, Perl, etc. Evaluate potential inefficiencies in current procedures and seek improvements.  
• Provide statistical ad hoc analysis as needed. Collaborate with outside entities on forecasting projects and development of analytical tools.     

Level of Education and Discipline

• Currently in an Undergraduate, Master's degree (MS) or PhD program in Electrical Engineering, Data Science, Meteorology or related field.
• Graduating December of 2024 or later.

Amount of Experience

• Previous internships, research or work experience using economic analysis is desired.
• Research and or studies in energy industry highly desired.

Type of Experience

• Forecasting and renewable generation knowledge.
• Knowledge of meteorological concepts.  
• Heavy Data Science background, able to run analysis on large sets of data to find correlations and improvements.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and best practices.
• Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.  

Desired programming languages 

• R
• SQL
• UNIX
• C
• C#
• Python
• NCL
• PERL
• Gempack
• R
• VBA

The pay range for our Forecasting interns is $27 - $33 / hr.