Power Sector Analytics and Policy Intern
Overall Function
The intern will support the Power Sector team’s cross-cutting work on analytics, modeling, and advocacy. They will help to synthesize datasets and visualizations as well as help produce memos and blog posts on issues of interest such as utility IRPs, studies from other organizations in the power sector space, and related policy developments. The intern’s work will directly support the expansion of EDF’s analytical and modeling capacity while simultaneously doing high-impact work on emerging power sector issues. The intern will also attend workshops and other events hosted by EDF and other organizations working in this space, providing key takeaways to the team. They will be exposed to and gain skills necessary for career paths in power-sector analytics, policy, and advocacy. The intern will report to a senior analyst on the Power Sector team and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to support EDF’s advocacy in decarbonizing the U.S. electricity system.
Depending on the intern’s interest and experience, they may focus on analytics or policy. With an analytics focus, the intern will spend the largest share of their time assembling and analyzing data on power company load profiles and resource plans, as well as working with EDF’s in-house energy model. With a policy focus, the intern will devote the majority of their time to preparing internal and external advocacy materials on the Power Sector team’s work.
Key Responsibilities
Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Define research questions and conduct research on the role of transmission buildouts in decarbonizing power, the investments that utilities must make to meet near-term emissions targets, actions that state PUCs should take to facilitate the energy transition, and/or other topics as the team requires.
- Work directly with members of the Power Sector and Economics teams, as well as relevant state leads from across the Energy Transition focus area.
- Help design and interpret Switch modeling scenarios to assess the impact of greater policy ambition among high priority states.
- Prepare inward-facing as well as outward-facing materials related to their areas of research, including memos, blog posts, and/or fact sheets.
- Collect and synthesize data on emissions, generation, costs, and investments in the power sector in support of their own projects as well as the team’s wider needs.
- Strategize ways to advance environmental justice (EJ) considerations related to power sector issues in EDF’s work, including working with EJ data tools and engaging with the work of EJ-focused organizations.
- Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
Qualifications
- Enrolled in a graduate degree program with coursework in public policy, data science, environmental sciences, or economics.
- Demonstrated interest in government, environmental policy, or economics.
- Experience in policy research, economics, environmental science, and/or data analytics.
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft office suite, R and/or Power BI a plus.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team setting as well as independently.
- Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.
Background
EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.
EDF’s Power Sector team works at the intersection of public policy, economics, and environmental science to advance a decarbonized electricity system. Its work leverages state, regional, and federal policy to put the US on a path to make deep, near-term emissions cuts. The team is small, fostering deep collaboration on all areas of its work and allowing it to quickly pivot to engage with the policymaking process wherever its impact can be greatest.
The Power Sector team sits within the Energy Transition focus area, and its work overlaps with a number of other teams at EDF, including the Economics and Legal and Regulatory teams. It also interfaces frequently with outside organizations and other stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, government entities, and power companies. The team utilizes the latest data analytics and energy modeling to execute its advocacy in the power sector and to support other teams throughout EDF.
