Apply Today! https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/DOE-EERE-STP-IEDO-2024-1101
Cohort 2 closes on July 15, 2024 (applications submitted between January 16, 2024, and July 15, 2024, will be eligible for consideration to participate in this cohort).
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy (STP) Program serves as the next step in the educational and professional development of scientists and engineers by providing opportunities to participate in policy-related projects in Washington, D.C. Participants will become part of a group of highly-trained scientists and engineers with the education, background, and experience to be part of the workforce that supports the DOE’s mission in the future.
The Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. With 30% of primary energy-related emissions attributable to the industrial sector, IEDO plays an important role in supporting the reduction of U.S. CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels) and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
IEDO’s mission is to accelerate the innovation and adoption of cost-effective technologies aimed at eliminating industrial greenhouse gas emissions. As an office, IEDO provides the planning, management, and direction necessary for a balanced national program of research, development, demonstration, technical assistance, and workforce development across the industrial sector. The office currently works across three subprograms:
- Energy- and Emissions-Intensive Industries (EEII): Efforts in this pillar support the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of technologies that dramatically reduce energy use and emissions from energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, iron and steel, food and beverage, cement, and paper and forest products.
- Cross-Sector Technologies (CST): Efforts in this pillar are aimed at developing solutions that address emissions across a broad range of industries. Focus areas include decarbonization of process heating, utilization of low-carbon fuels and energy sources, emerging efficiency technologies, and water and wastewater treatment.
- Technical Assistance & Workforce Development (TAWD): Efforts in this pillar are aimed at developing partnerships with and delivering technical assistance to industry to increase the adoption of energy efficiency, decarbonization technologies, energy management programs, and water/waste reduction technologies and practices across the industrial sector. This pillar also supports workforce training and upskilling activities that prepare existing workers and attract a diverse mix of workers to the industrial jobs of the future.
IEDO is seeking talented and passionate Fellows interested in supporting technical, programmatic, strategic, and policy efforts aimed at decarbonizing the industrial sector. Fellows will collaborate closely with IEDO staff—including several former Fellows—and will develop a broad understanding of the potential of new technologies and current barriers to technology deployment across all of IEDO’s subprograms. This involves tracking the impact of the RD&D portfolio in IEDO and assessing gaps or opportunity areas for future investments. This Fellowship will last one year, with the opportunity to renew for additional years at the discretion of the sponsoring office. Fellows will be placed in a “home” sub-program based on their interests and IEDO’s office needs and will have to opportunity to learn how to:
- Identify key technology opportunities and contribute to the development and execution of IEDO, EERE, and DOE-level strategy for:
- Decarbonizing thermal processes,
- Increasing industrial energy efficiency
- Utilizing low-carbon fuels, feedstocks, and energy sources.
- Inform topic areas like:
- Strategic Analysis: life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, portfolio evaluation, supply chain and economic scenario analysis of various manufacturing technologies/processes/industries, ancillary services, and their interdependencies therein
- EEII: cement/concrete, iron/steel, chemicals, food & beverage, forest products
- CST: process heat, water-energy nexus (e.g. National Alliance for Water Innovation hub)
- TAWD: industry stakeholder engagement (e.g. through the Better Plants program), onsite energy deployment, energy management systems, manufacturing workforce training
- Complete specific tasks such as:
- Developing funding opportunity announcements and other investment solicitations (e.g. lab calls, prizes, etc.) as well as communication materials to achieve RD&D and policy goals.
- Reviewing, synthesizing, or providing input on technical reports, analysis, research proposals, and other technical documents.
- Preparing and presenting briefings to upper management, external offices, and at conferences.
- Collaborating with other DOE programs and offices, participating in office-wide or interoffice initiatives, task forces, or tech teams (e.g., Industrial Heat Energy Earthshot, Energy Storage Grand Challenge).
- Interfacing with technical, policy, and business leaders from academia, national labs, the private sector, and other government agencies (e.g. through interagency working groups).
- Planning workshops, webinars, and other stakeholder events or initiatives (e.g. Big Ideas competition, Industrial Heat Shot Summit).
Under the guidance of a mentor, learning opportunities include:
- Utilizing scientific expertise to engage decision-makers in the areas of energy efficiency policy, planning, research, development, and communication for energy efficiency and decarbonization.
- Analyzing technical needs and opportunities, and the potential impacts of program and policy decisions.
- Providing input for analysis and strategic planning on industrial decarbonization.
- Assessing the potential for commercial deployment of next-generation industrial technologies focused on efficiency and decarbonization.
- Evaluating approaches to achieve practical minimum energy requirements and minimum lifecycle energy for new technologies.
- Acting as a technical resource for IEDO applied research and development projects.
- Engaging with industry, research, academic, and other government stakeholders to define areas of need for decarbonization of the industrial sector.
Through these activities, Fellows will help establish and nurture the critical link between DOE decision-makers and other scientific professionals to support public policy.