Internship | MSc: DC Grid Integration

The rapid growth of distributed energy resources (DERs), electric mobility, and power electronics is driving increasing interest in DC microgrids and hybrid AC/DC distribution networks. These architectures offer new opportunities for flexibility provision, congestion management, and voltage support at the distribution level, but they also introduce new challenges related to control, interoperability, and system stability. In this internship, you will contribute to applied research at TNO on the operational integration of DC grids and hybrid AC/DC feeders within future distribution systems. Your work will focus on quantifying the flexibility services these systems can deliver and on developing control strategies that enable stable, congestion-aware operation under high DER penetration. The results of your work will support DSOs and policymakers in designing scalable and resilient distribution networks for a low-carbon energy system.

What will be your role?
You will develop and apply simulation-based methods to analyse DC microgrids and hybrid AC/DC feeders in realistic distribution network scenarios. Your work will address two main research questions:

• Hybrid AC/DC control and stability: You will study scalable and interoperable control concepts for hybrid AC/DC feeders, focusing on stable operation and congestion-aware control under high DER penetration. You will evaluate control strategies under disturbances such as load changes, converter interactions, and network reconfigurations.
• Flexibility and operational integration: You will investigate how DC microgrids and hybrid AC/DC feeders can provide measurable congestion management and voltage-support services within DSO flexibility frameworks. This includes modelling converter-interfaced DERs, analyzing operational constraints, and assessing the value of flexibility services under different network conditions.

Your activities will include implementing dynamic and quasi-static models, defining representative use cases and scenarios, and analyzing system-level performance using advanced simulation tools. You will work within TNO’s Electricity Grids & Energy Systems research domain and collaborate closely with experts in power electronics, power system operation, and control. The internship is embedded in ongoing research projects with distribution system operators and other external stakeholders, giving you insight into how research outcomes are translated into practical tools and guidelines.

What we expect from you
You have strong analytical capabilities and a clear interest in distribution system operation, power electronics, and control. You are able to work independently on modelling and simulation tasks and communicate your findings clearly within a multidisciplinary research environment.
skills:

• Master’s student in Electrical Engineering or Energy/Power Systems.
• Solid background in power systems, power electronics, and control.
• Experience with power system simulation tools (e.g. DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar).
• Strong background on optimization.
• Programming skills in Python for data analysis, automation, and post-processing of simulation results.
• Interest in DC grids, hybrid AC/DC systems, converter-dominated networks, and future DSO operation.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

For this internship vacancy it is required that the AIVD issues a security clearance (VGB) after conducting a security screening. Take into account that this process may take about 8 weeks. If you have been abroad for more than 6 consecutive months, or if you do not have the Dutch nationality, it may take longer. Read more about security screening on the AIVD website.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
  • 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
  • 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.
• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.