Research Analyst- Power System Modelling

Purpose

The Indian power market is evolving rapidly. The increasing share of variable renewable energy in the electricity system requires a flexible grid, financially sound and efficient power distribution companies and demand to serve as a resource. Achieving these outcomes would need dynamic regulations, new business models, innovative financial instruments, and robust institutional frameworks.

To enhance grid flexibility, CEEW team studies the current and future power systems to inform planning and operations, and procurement and dispatch of electricity in cost-effective ways. We undertake grid simulation exercises, techno-economic analyses for emerging solutions such as large- scale energy storage systems and identify solutions that enable market-based procurement of electricity and effective transmission utilisation.

The candidate in this role will undertake studies on power system modelling and undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis of issues concerning integration and offtake of renewable energy. The candidate will work extensively on an open-source modelling tool named Grid Path and CEEW’s internal data analytics platforms.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

The successful applicant will assist fellow researchers in undertaking robust quantitative and qualitative analyses. Outlined below are the key duties and responsibilities of this role.

Research

• Review recent reports, journal papers, and other relevant research publications on grid integration and power system modelling studies undertaken at the national and sub-national level.
• Collect power sector and renewable energy-related data to create comprehensive state-level databases for further analyses and modelling.
• Carry out power system simulation studies accounting for inter- and intra-state transmission networks, to identify the need and the role of different supply- and demand-side resources, including energy storage, in achieving a clean, reliable and cost-effective power system.
• Analyse model outputs and distil policy and regulatory insights.
• Regularly track important policy and regulatory developments in the sector and conduct rigorous literature review to inform the modelling efforts of the team.
• Analyse data pertaining to existing and emerging challenges with high renewable energy penetration in the state, regional and national grid.
• Assist in understanding new power market designs and regulatory interventions developed or demonstrated in emerging and developing countries for enabling high RE shares.

Programme Assistance

• Assist in project execution by contributing towards preparing detailed activity plans and timelines, resource planning, stakeholder management, cross-team interactions, and donor engagement.
• Contribute to the team’s outreach efforts including organising webinars/physical events, representing CEEW in industry events.
• Develop memos, briefs, presentations, op-eds/blogs, and other forms of outputs which could be circulated among internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute towards consultations and briefings with government, industry and institutional partners.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials, preferably Master’s degree with a specialisation in power systems, energy systems, renewable energy technologies, or related fields.
• Previous internships in any related fields would be an advantage.

Work experience

• 1-3 years of relevant work experience; Candidates with strong research skills but with lesser experience may also be considered.
• Experience in modelling using software such as GridPath, PLEXOS, PROMOD is appreciated.
• Proficiency in using tools used such as Excel and Python for analysis.

Key skills

• Strong ability to organise, process, and analyse large data sets that are used and derived through power/energy models.
• Understanding of power market regulations, interconnection regulations, operations, and resource adequacy planning in Indian and international context.
• Ability to learn new tools to manage, process and drive insights from datasets.
• Ability to effectively work in a team while taking initiative to identify problem statements and use relevant research methods to find answers.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment