US DOE and NSF announce first cohort of geothermal interns
NSF and DOE partner on geothermal internship opportunity (source: U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy)
Carlo Cariaga
22 Aug 2023
The US Department of Energy and National Science Foundation have announced the first cohort of geothermal interns, representing 11 colleges and universities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced the first cohort of geothermal interns as part of the NSF INTERN program. Through this collaboration, a diverse group of 14 students will work with geothermal companies, national laboratories, or state agencies on projects that advance geothermal technologies.
The NSF-DOE EERE Geothermal INTERN opportunity, first announced back in November 2022, supports the DOE’s recently launched Enhanced Geothermal Shot, part of DOE’s Energy Earthshots Initiative, which aims to help break down the biggest remaining scientific and technical barriers to tackling the climate crisis. NSF is collaborating in this effort, including by helping to develop the workforce needed to support a growing geothermal energy industry.
“We are very glad to help foster the growth of these students’ careers, their interest in geothermal energy, and the burgeoning geothermal industry,” said Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. “Investing in these students and future INTERN cohorts with our partners at the National Science Foundation will help train a workforce that is well-versed in clean energy technologies, while also bringing the United States closer to accessing the nation’s untapped potential for renewable, around-the-clock geothermal power.”
“The NSF INTERN program offers invaluable on-the-job training and professional development for science and engineering graduate students, and, through this partnership with DOE, more U.S. students will be prepared to advance geothermal technologies and our clean energy future,” said Dr. Susan Margulies, NSF assistant director for Engineering.
The students selected for this first Geothermal INTERN cohort represent 11 colleges and universities nationwide, including two Hispanic-Serving Institutions, as well as an array of ethnic or cultural backgrounds and academic disciplines. INTERN participants are supported through supplements to current NSF awards.
More information about the Geothermal INTERN opportunity is available on GTO’s INTERN webpage and on NSF’s website.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
