Sector Student : Renewable Energy

EPRI is seeking a Sector Student for Renewable Energy in Charlotte, NC, to engage in research and development across various power sources. The role includes hands-on experience with wind and solar technologies, data analysis, and collaboration with technical mentors. Students will participate in a summer program with networking opportunities and may be invited for part-time work afterward. Ideal candidates are science or engineering students nearing the completion of their graduate degrees.
Job Title: Sector Student : Renewable Energy

Location:Charlotte, NC

Job Summary and Description:

EPRI was ranked the #3 program within the Energy & Renewables industry in 2024 according to Vault!

EPRI’s Sector focuses on a wide spectrum of research and development (R&D) across all thermal and renewables sources of power . The research supports EPRI’s mission of delivering independent, objective thought leadership and industry expertise to help the energy sector identify issues, technology gaps, and solutions for the benefit of society. Research may include materials science, water technologies, digitalization, cyber security, turbomachinery, wind, solar, or hydro power (renewables), energy storage (chemical, mechanical, and thermal), carbon capture and sequestration, hydrogen economies and technologies at-scale, environmental sciences, etc.

Students working in the summer semester will typically work at the EPRI Charlotte location and, if onsite, take part in the summer program experience.

The summer experience provides a technical mentor, training, and social and professional networking opportunities in addition to guided project-focused research work. This unique setting will provide students with rare, but essential practical insight to industry problems and issues and improve links to academic coursework. Other development and social activities in prior years have included:
• Lunch and learns with past interns, current EPRI employees
• Team building activities, for example a trip to the Whitewater Center
• Tours of local power facilities
• EPRI lab tours
• Final presentations by summer student employees to their peers, mentors and other EPRI technical staff

Students may be hired into one of many research programs in the Sector to work over the timeframe of May to August. Students who demonstrate exemplary skillsets and learning over this ~12-week period may be asked to work part time after the summer period and/or be invited in subsequent years to extend their exposure to the Energy Sector.

Candidates:

EPRI is looking for talented science and engineering students wishing to gain experience in the power industry. Typical majors could include, but are not limited to the following:
• Engineering / Science - Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace / Aeronautical, Materials, Environmental, Data Science, or similar fields

Typical activities and responsibilities may include some of the following:
• Review and analyze wind and/or solar power plant condition monitoring, operational, or historic reliability data – data may be images / photos, time-series streaming / SCADA data, or from meteorological and other sensors
• Work in a lab and field environment on wind/solar photovoltaic system such as inverters and PV modules.
• Development of schema for automating translation processes for unstructured data
• Visualize and present results in formats suitable for publication
• Providing qualitative insights along with informative and quantitative results
• Work with technical mentors to gain experience in addressing real-world challenges, drivers, and priorities that impact wind and/or solar power

An Ideal Candidate will typically have the following qualifications. Exceptions have been made for students with exemplary background and interviews:
• Science / Engineering Graduate Student in final 1-2 years of MS or PhD degree track
• Some studies or experience involving wind or solar energy
• Familiarity with database schema and running data queries – SQL, python, PowerBI, etc.,
• Some lab/field work associated with wind turbines / solar photovoltaic systems such as inverters, PV modules, or other major mechanical or electrical components.
• Group project work and desire to network (with peer student interns at EPRI)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Motivated to conduct independent research on assigned tasks, but with a want to interface with other peers and a technical mentor on a regular basis.

The hourly rate range for Student positions are:
• Undergraduate: $16-29 per hour
• Masters: $25-31 per hour
• Ph.D: $27-34 per hour

These ranges are an estimate, and the actual hourly rate may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The hourly rate may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

As an EPRI Student, you will not participate in EPRI’s Benefit Programs which includes health insurance, retirement benefits, vacation, sick leave (except as set required by law) and holiday pay. However, as a Student employee you are eligible for the benefits of Social Security, State Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

For Student positions which require one to relocate to an EPRI office. Relocation assistance is not provided and the student will be responsible for covering all relocation costs/expenses.

EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.

EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled

Together . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.

www.epri.com

About the Company:
EPRI