Graduate Intern - Electric Transmission Operations Engineering (Planning & Strategic Initiatives)

Job Summary

Dominion Energy (DE) is seeking a Graduate Intern to be a part of the Electric Transmission (ET) Planning & Strategic Initiatives team. Because of the unique data center load growth, aggressive clean energy goals, and commitment to the safety and reliability of the bulk electric system, DE must explore unconventional solutions to meet our customer’s needs.  This is a new team dedicated to evaluating new technologies and methodologies that could be used to support the ET Planning team as they solve reliability issues identified in the PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Planning (RTEP) Process. 
  
Our team is also geared towards performing studies that may fall outside of the normal planning processes including but not limited to fault-induced delayed voltage recovery studies, how to integrate probabilistic techniques to account for multiple types of planning scenarios, how to account for intermittent generation in planning cases, dynamic generator model validation, development of dynamic data center load models, holistically evaluating the efficacy of HVDC for the DE footprint, looking at whether gas insulated lines make sense anywhere on our system, understanding the pros and cons of synchronous condensers, FACTs devices, and static reactive devices, how can and should batteries be justified through transmission projects, among other types of studies. 

Candidates should have a strong electrical engineering background and possess strong knowledge of engineering principles and practices.

Job activities may include:
•    Power system modeling and analysis
o    Load flow, dynamic, and small signal studies
o    Electromagnetic transient simulations
•    Analysis and planning for significant increase in renewable energy on transmission and distribution systems, such as solar and wind energy, and the installation of microgrids throughout both systems. 
•    Performing/supporting evaluation, design, engineering, and support activities related to advanced power systems technologies such as FACTS, HVDC, and inverter-based resources.
•    Power system network model validation, merging, and management.
•    Conducting research, development, and demonstration of leading-edge tools, technologies, and applications to maintain Dominion's leadership position in the industry.
•    Participating/collaborating with trade and industry organizations, benchmarking activities, universities, ISOs/RTOs, and national research labs.
•    Assisting in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of computer-based tools for Dominion Energy’s engineering groups.
•    Data mining and data analytics.
•    Analyzing multiple infrastructure interdependencies.
•    Performing manufacturer evaluations and support material requisitions as needed
 

Internship Related Details

During this internship, you will be assigned at least one mentor who will work with you on an assigned project. At the start of the internship, you will be given a Statement of Work which will give you direction for the rest of the summer. At the end of the internship, it is expected that you will submit a paper to a relevant conference to be determined based on your scope of work. You will also participate in a Graduate Student Report Out at the end of the summer where you will present your work in a short presentation across all levels of ET – from peers to executives. 

Interns with Dominion Energy have opportunities to visit the field to understand the size and scale of the equipment used in Electric Transmission. One of the most unique parts of working at a utility is the ability to interact with so many different types of equipment in various settings, and we want to ensure that interns get a chance to experience part of that. 

Please note that 95% of the time, this is an office only position. This work does not require extensive field time, and if it were raining or the weather were particularly bad, you’d normally be able to reschedule a field visit to a time with better weather. Dominion Energy will work with you to ensure you have the appropriate personal protective equipment for any site visits.

Please note that Innsbrook, the facility in which you will be working, has an on-site gym with a coordinator and trainer to help provide support. There are fitness classes available for free as well. Additionally, there are other Dominion facilities with gyms that you could use in other parts of the city if that is convenient for you. There is a cafeteria with well-priced food in the Innsbrook facility as well
 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience
•    Engineering must have earned a Bachelor degree in an engineering field and be accepted to and working on a Masters or Ph.D. degree in engineering (preferred fields include electrical engineering with a concentration in power systems, computer engineering, or mechanical engineering with a focus on energy systems) from an ABET accredited Engineering program at a four year or post-graduate college or university.
•    General understanding of AC/DC fundamentals, and including an understanding of three-phase power systems, the power grid, and the electric transmission system
•    A strong understanding of power system modeling
•    General understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment
•    Knowledge in using specialized power engineering tools, such as PSS/E, ASPEN, PSCAD, RSCAD and RTDS, Powerworld, DSATools, PowerGem’s TARA, MATLAB, MAXWELL 3D, and SYNERGI.
•    Must possess good communication skills, written and oral 
•    Must be dedicated to continuous improvement and identifying best practice opportunities.
•    Must be able to work well independently as well as in team environment.
•    Must be able to meet NERC certifications.
•    Candidates must have a 3.2 minimum GPA or greater
•    Must have an anticipated graduation date of fall 2024 to spring 2027
 

Education Requirements

•    Must have earned a Bachelor degree in an engineering field and be accepted to and working on a Masters or Ph.D. degree in engineering (preferred fields include electrical engineering with a concentration in power systems, computer engineering, or mechanical engineering with a focus on energy systems) from an ABET accredited Engineering program at a four year or post-graduate college or university.
•    Candidates must have a 3.2 minimum GPA or greater
•    Must have an anticipated graduation date of fall 2024 or later
 
Disciplines: Electrical Engineering with a consideration to Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Engineering degrees if there has been a sufficient work history in the power systems industry.
 
Required Engineering Criteria:
For placement of a candidate in the Engineer job series, one of following criteria must be met:
•    Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an ABET accredited engineering program based on the year that the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
•    Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or
•    Possess a 4-year engineering degree from a non-ABET accredited program and a post-graduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
•    Possess a 4-year degree in Physics, Chemistry or Math and a post-graduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or
•    Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Professional Engineer license.
 

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

Test Description