Expert Fellowship Program

GridLab provides technical expertise to organizations that are working to advance the clean energy transition and preserve system reliability. GridLab leverages its pool of experts to support technical interventions in regulatory dockets to support better outcomes for clean energy, and to provide thought leadership on the technical challenges of the transition. While GridLab has been successful in developing a pool of over 100 experts, the demand for more trained power industry professionals to support the clean energy advocacy community continues to grow. In addition, many large consultancy firms are not able to work with GridLab or its partners due to conflicts of interest with utilities and ISO/RTOs.

GridLab is uniquely positioned to address this challenge due to its position as a non-profit that connects the technical consulting industry and clean energy advocates. The purpose of the Expert Fellowship Program is to grow the field of experts that can provide technical assistance to the clean energy community. The program will achieve this goal by providing funding, training, and advising to mid-career industry professionals who have recently (within the last 3 months) or are planning to imminently start an independent consultancy that could serve the expert domains of interest to GridLab. Our intention with this fellowship is to grow the expert pool that will serve the clean energy community for many years to come.

PROGRAM DESIGN

The Expert Fellowship Program aims to generate new experts available for contracting technical services in support of the clean energycommunity. The process will begin with a confidential application and interview process, selection of a program Fellow, negotiation of a Fellowship Contract, and conclude with an expert induction. Since program participants may still be employed and may not wish to terminate their employment unless they receive fellowship funding, the application and interview process will remain confidential even if applicants are not selected.

Depending on the program funding and GridLab’s goals for the following year, one or more Fellows may be selected.

What will fellows receive from the program?

• Approximately 500-1000 hours of guaranteed contract work spread over 1 year, paid at a rate commensurate with experience. Contracting for additional scope may be allowed above and beyond this amount during the contract period.
• Direct engagement in GridLab supported projects
• Co-branding with GridLab and partners on public reports, blogs, presentations, etc.
• Professional development support (e.g., sponsorship for professional conference participation)
• Access to the GridLab expert and client networks

Who are we looking for? A good fit means….

• You do not have prior consulting experience as an independent consultant, or have been an independent consultant for less than 3 months.
• You must have demonstrated expertise that is relevant to GridLab’s projects. The suite of activities that GridLab engages in is broad, but you must be able to articulate how your envisioned consulting activities contribute towards GridLab’s mission of providing technical assistance to the clean energy and/or grid reliability advocacy community.
• You should be interested in working with GridLab partners and clients.
• You must be legally eligible to enter contracted work within the United States.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. The program’s main goal is to encourage experienced power systems professionals to start an independent technical support business that can be an asset to the clean energy advocacy community. For this reason, independent consultants that are already well established in the space (have operated as a consultant or expert for GridLab or its partner organizations for 6 months or more) are not eligible.
2. The program will also not accept applications from existing employees of companies that already have contracted with GridLab. This would place GridLab in a conflict with these organizations and would not serve the primary purpose of expanding the network of experts able to serve the clean energy advocacy space.
3. GridLab will reserve the right to terminate the fellowship if the Fellow fails to perform as outlined in the consultancy agreement.