Jobs

Technology-to-Market Scholar – Market Potential and TEA Analysis for Data Center Efficiency (Summer 2021)

Posted on: December 2, 2020 Apply Now
Internship Expires February 1, 2021

Market Potential and TEA Analysis for Data Center Efficiency
Background

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy that funds creative, out-of-the-box, transformational energy technologies that are too early stage for private investment. ARPA-E programs provide top energy researchers with funding, technical assistance, and tech-to-market guidance to radically improve U.S. energy security, energy efficiency, and environmental well-being. The driving question behind all ARPA-E programs is “If it works, will it matter?”

ARPA-E recruits scholars who have a unique combination of technical and business skills to assist in defining commercialization pathways for high-impact technology development programs. This internship opportunity offers experience in advancing the transition of cutting-edge energy technologies to market applications in a fast-paced environment.

Opportunity

ARPA-E is contemplating the development of a program targeting reduction of the energy footprint of datacenters and telecom. The data center market is a rapidly growing segment in economies worldwide. Capital spending on hyperscale and emerging edge data center segments are forecasted to be in the 10s of billions of dollars annually over the coming decade. The energy consumption for larger datacenters have recently matched those of large-scale industrial facilities (i.e., in the 100s of MW) and is expected to rise to a significant percentage of national energy consumption. The owner/operators for data centers are focused on reducing their carbon footprint by purchasing or co-locating renewable energy sources at these facilities. An alternate approach to address the growing energy problem is to reduce the energy required to power and cool the equipment (primarily servers) found in datacenters.

The ARPA-E’s Scholars Program is designed to prepare ARPA-E-funded technologies to achieve maximum impact and return on investment for ARPA-E project teams, stakeholders, and our Nation’s taxpayers. This internship provides a unique opportunity to work under and interface with the ARPA-E Technology-to-Market team, ARPA-E Program Directors, and ARPA-E Fellows. We are seeking graduate students interested in conducting the following work:

  • Identify the types of systems (servers, power, cooling, lighting etc.) commonly utilized by hyperscale and edge computing facilities
  • Summarize some of the technical solutions being developed to address the future needs of the datacenter industry
  • Study the overall market trends for the industry and identify a minimum of 2 high potential opportunities (from an emissions and energy footprint reduction perspective)
  • Provide insights into value chains for the high potential opportunities
  • Develop a preliminary techno-economic analysis model for the high potential opportunities

The ideal candidate(s) will have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. engineering, computer science, economics, etc.), be in the midst of completing a graduate level degree, preferably M.S. or MBA, and have relevant work experience to include:

  • Experience in conducting detailed market and industry analysis
  • Familiarity with developing techno-economic analysis and/or financial models
  • Some technical expertise in energy systems (based on work experience or previous coursework)
  • General energy trends across various sectors

Applicants should be prepared for deep immersion into the project and must be comfortable working independently. Job requirements include strong analytical, written and oral communication abilities.

Each selected Scholar will be paid a weekly stipend and travel costs; length of stay can be negotiated, but typically ranges from 8-12 weeks. All positions will be based at ARPA-E’s headquarters in Washington, DC. This opportunity is available only to U.S. citizens.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Highly motivated candidates should submit a CV, a cover letter, a writing sample, and two references at

https://arpa-e.energy.gov/career/job-opportunities. Questions can be directed via email to ARPA-E-jobs@hq.doe.gov with the words “Energy Scholars” in the subject heading.

Applications are due no later than Sunday, January 31, 2021, and will be processed on a rolling schedule. Interested parties are encouraged to apply early.

Apply Now