Student Internship - Power System Engineering

Minimum Education level
:
PhD

Preferred Majors
:
Power System Engineering

Ready to work on one of the biggest questions facing the future of energy and computing? ISO New England is seeking a PhD intern to explore how flexible data center workloads impact grid reliability, transmission congestion, and renewable energy integration. Bring your curiosity, analytical skills, and passion for solving complex systems challenges—and help shape the future of the electric grid.

ISO New England is one of the most pivotal energy companies you’ve probably never heard of. Our job is to oversee the 24/7 operation of the power grid that covers the six-states of New England and to administer the region’s $10+ billion “stock exchange” for buying and selling of wholesale electricity. Our work ensures that over 14 million people can reliably turn their lights on and complete their jobs, take care of their families, and live in comfort with convenience.

The Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) department engages in both long-term research projects and near-term design/process improvements. The department consists of experts in three topic areas: power systems, simulations, and markets. In all projects, the goal of the department is to provide innovative and practical solutions to current and emerging questions for ISO New England.

As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data centers continue to grow, the power grid is facing new questions about how large, flexible electricity loads can be integrated reliably and efficiently. This internship will explore “migratory computation”—the idea that certain computing workloads can shift across time or location—to understand when that flexibility can create real operational value for the grid.

You’ll conduct research, review emerging industry approaches, analyze simplified grid scenarios, and communicate findings on how flexible data center demand could impact transmission congestion, renewable energy utilization, and grid reliability. This is a forward-looking opportunity to work at the intersection of power systems, computing, data analysis, and energy innovation.

Your work will help ISO New England better understand whether flexible data center demand can become a meaningful grid resource. The insights from this project may inform future thinking around large-load integration, transmission planning, congestion management, renewable energy utilization, and operating strategies for a rapidly changing electric system.

• A curious, analytical graduate student pursuing a PhD or advanced degree in electrical engineering, power systems, computer science, operations research, data science, applied mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience with Python, data analysis, modeling tools, or technical research is a plus.
• Ideal candidates have an interest in power systems, energy markets, optimization, large-scale computing, or clean energy integration.
• Strong written communication, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to explore emerging questions are highly valued.

This employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position (ex: H-1B, F-1/CPT/OPT, O-1, E-3, TN, J, etc.).