Internship
In the summer of 2024, I interned at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). While interning at NREL, I helped to optimize software focusing on the decarbonization of industrial systems using solar thermal technology, called STEP 1. Solar thermal is a decades old, proven technology but it is underused because industrial companies are unaware how to implement it into their processes. Consequently, there are few relevant studies characterizing system performance of industrial solar thermal integration in various conditions. The tool’s algorithm needed this missing data on system trends to help users decide which technologies to use and the optimal plant layout for each facility. My task was to characterize the behavior profiles of several different solar thermal technologies as system size increases using SAM.
I found mostly linear profiles for several key parameters could be used to approximate overall system behavior in each case. This informed the project’s selection algorithm, serves as a basis for future solar thermal technoeconomic studies, and will hopefully start to improve industrial decarbonization efforts across the United States.
Outside of the purely technical experience, I was extremely surprised by the diversity of thought and experience that was present in the lab. I met with people from across the U.S. and from other countries, like Italy and Nigeria, and coming into work every day felt like its own international experience. It was fun getting to know my coworkers over lunch, having thought-provoking discussions, and going on hikes with them over the weekends. Learning about their goals and experiences helped me to focus my own efforts in deciding to pursue a master’s degree. Overall, my time at NREL has helped me envision what I want for my future and meet some friends and mentors who have supported my journey to become who I want to be thus far.