Bloomberg

BloombergNEF (BNEF) is seeking a talented, highly motivated individual to join our grids team based in London for an initial 12 month contract. The role will cover supply chains for critical grid equipment. Specifically, the successful candidate will build on existing research on large power transformers, submarine cables and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converters while expanding our coverage to include advanced conductors and tower technologies. The candidate will also conduct primary research and analysis on global grid spending.

BNEF is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our expert coverage assesses pathways for the power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture sectors to adapt to the energy transition. We help commodity trading, corporate strategy, finance and policy professionals navigate change and generate opportunities.

Our team:

You will be based in our London offices, working as part of a global research team at BloombergNEF (BNEF) – the world's leading independent provider of analysis, tools, data and research to decision makers leading change in the energy system. Our data-driven research helps clients stay on top of developments across the energy sector, supported by the unique depth and breadth of the Bloomberg Terminal and bnef.com platforms.

The electric grid is the backbone of our energy future. A scalable, resilient, cost-effective grid will be key for meeting the conflicting needs of affordability, security and decarbonisation that form the energy trilemma. The grid is the nexus of renewable generation, gas and nuclear power, data centers, energy policy, power markets and ultimately every light bulb, motor and laptop in Europe. The grid brings everything together to create the world’s largest, most complex machine.

When the grid fails, the consequences can be severe. From the extremes of blackouts and wildfires to the more mundane but pervasive impacts of rising power prices and missed opportunities, when new generation and demand must wait years for a connection.

BNEF’s grid team tracks the spending, supply chains and technology that will make or break the grid’s role in the transition. We analyse how the electricity grid will navigate rapid expansion, modernization and refurbishment. We forecast grid capacity, analyze the adoption of emerging technologies, assess policy changes, study the role of system flexibility, and build country- and regional-level views on power grid buildout.

BNEF team ethos:

To succeed at BNEF we need people who can work in an independent manner and show initiative to develop their own viewpoints, yet be collaborative with colleagues. We don’t rely on the status quo, we look for innovative yet pragmatic thinking that turns big ideas into real insights and impact. Working at BNEF sometimes feels chaotic; we need teams that are both dynamic and structured to generate the unique perspectives our clients really value. Our teams are diverse, creative, focused, and fun!

The role:

You will join as a contractor for 12 months, tasked with maintaining our existing supply chains research and expanding it into new areas. This research pillar is key to our research grid supply chain constraints and lead times are a key bottleneck for global grid expansion. There is significant client interest in terms of both the opportunities this offers to manufactures and the risk it creates for developers. As a member of the grids team, you will update our annual coverage of large power transformers, HVDC converters and submarine cables based on existing methodologies. You will then work with the team lead to develop new methodologies for analysing advanced conductor and transmission tower market shares. Based on this you will support efforts to improve the granularity of the equipment forecasts in our grid investment modelling. You will identify topics of client interest and importance, conduct independent research, generate insightful findings, and produce written reports of publishable quality. You will collaborate with a high degree of professionalism with colleagues and clients from different cultures and countries, in person and remotely. You’ll also develop an internal and external network of industry contacts in order to gather insights, identify trends and collect information. You will be working with colleagues and clients based around the world.

We will trust you to:

• Develop expertise in the power grid sector and the wider clean energy industry
• Maintain our existing supply chain research while expanding it into new topics
• Research, analyze and write about the latest developments in the power grids sector, including policy developments, technology trends and supply chain gaps
• Collect and analyze quantitative information on grid technology deployment, economics and costs, and explain these technologies to a wide audience
• Gather and organize data sets pertaining to these topics
• Write and publish reports to a high standard in English
• Conduct fundamental market analysis in Excel and Python
• Support regular team publications, including market outlooks and investment figures
• Communicate your research to clients via email, telephone and in-person meetings

You'll need to have:

• Intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for the power or energy sector and the role it plays in the transition
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Confidence conducting numerical analysis and an understanding of statistics.
• Ability to think critically and develop thoughtful opinions by cutting through the noise of data, finding key patterns, applying judgment to the claims of industry participants and asking insightful questions
• Ability to distill and communicate complex topics to non-specialist audiences
• Good time management, initiative and proven ability to work on multiple projects at once.

We would love to see:

• A Master’s degree in a related field – such as Engineering, Physics or other sciences.
• Experience working with clean power equipment supply chains or grid equipment
• Experience working with complex Excel books and client facing Excel tools
• Some experience with python coding 
• Prior experience working in or analyzing power system fundamentals, transmission and distribution networks, emerging technologies or energy policy. This can include internships, academic research, or prior work experience