Application Guide
How to Apply for Research Intern – Power Markets (Modelling)
at Council on Energy, Environment and Water
🏢 About Council on Energy, Environment and Water
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is a leading Indian think tank that conducts independent, data-driven research to inform policy on energy, environment, and water security. What makes CEEW unique is its strong focus on evidence-based policy advocacy at both national and state levels in India, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world implementation. Working here offers the opportunity to directly influence India's energy transition and sustainable development policies.
About This Role
This Research Intern role focuses on power market modelling for an Indian state, involving data analysis of electricity demand, scenario design for policy impacts, and production cost simulations for demand-side management. The role is impactful because it directly contributes to research that will inform state-level electricity planning and policy decisions, helping shape India's energy future through evidence-based recommendations.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve collecting and cleaning hourly electricity demand data from state utilities, running analysis in R/Python to identify patterns and anomalies, then working on scenario development for policy impacts using Excel models. You'd likely collaborate with senior researchers to refine simulation parameters for production cost modelling and contribute to drafting sections of research reports on your findings.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Council on Energy, Environment and Water Is Looking For
- A current student or recent graduate in electrical engineering/power systems with demonstrated coursework or projects in power system operations or electricity markets
- Has hands-on experience with high-frequency electricity data analysis, preferably using R or Python (not just theoretical knowledge)
- Can demonstrate policy analysis skills through academic work or previous experience, showing understanding of how regulations affect energy systems
- Has produced research outputs (reports, papers, or presentations) that showcase both quantitative analysis and clear, insightful writing in English
📝 Tips for Applying to Council on Energy, Environment and Water
Highlight specific experience with electricity demand data analysis - mention any work with hourly load profiles or high-frequency energy data, even from academic projects
Demonstrate your R/Python skills by mentioning specific packages you've used for data analysis (like pandas, numpy, or tidyverse) and provide examples of analysis you've conducted
Reference CEEW's recent state-level energy research (like their work on state electricity transitions or renewable integration) to show you've done your homework
Include a writing sample or portfolio link showing policy analysis work, as 'insightful writing' is explicitly mentioned in requirements
Quantify your Excel proficiency - mention specific advanced functions you use regularly (like Power Query, complex formulas, or data visualization tools)
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience with electricity data analysis, specifically mentioning any work with Indian electricity data or similar high-frequency time series data', 'How your academic background in electrical engineering/power systems prepares you for production cost simulation and scenario design work', 'Your interest in Indian energy policy and regulations, with specific mention of state-level electricity governance', "Examples of research outputs you've produced that demonstrate both analytical rigor and clear communication"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review CEEW's recent publications on state electricity transitions and power markets to understand their research approach and priorities
- → Study the electricity sector structure and recent policy developments in major Indian states (particularly those CEEW has worked with)
- → Familiarize yourself with India's electricity demand patterns, renewable integration challenges, and current demand-side management initiatives
- → Look into CEEW's organizational structure and key researchers in their energy program to understand who you might be working with
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't specifically address power market modelling or Indian electricity sector context
- Claiming proficiency in R/Python without concrete examples of data analysis projects related to energy or time series data
- Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating interest or understanding of policy analysis and governance aspects mentioned in requirements
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Council on Energy, Environment and Water!