Heat-to-Power Techno-Economic Analysis… at Antora Energy · San Jose

Summary: Antora is a company that builds and deploys thermal energy storage to provide low-cost energy for industrial operations and data centers. They are seeking a Power Product Techno-Economic Analysis Intern to model the performance of their thermal batteries in U.S. electricity markets and provide insights for product architecture decisions. The role involves rigorous energy systems modeling and collaboration with various teams to enhance product design and market value. Responsibilities: - Model how Antora’s thermal energy storage systems interact with U.S. electricity markets (energy arbitrage, capacity value, ancillary services) across target ISOs (MISO, SPP, PJM, ERCOT, CAISO) - Evaluate different physical product architectures — varying heat-to-electricity conversion technologies, sizing, and operating parameters — and quantify their impact on market revenue and system cost - Run dispatch models to simulate how Antora’s power products would operate under real market conditions, including sensitivity analysis on key design and market parameters - Perform techno-economic analysis (TEA) comparing product configurations on a consistent basis: capital cost, operating cost, revenue potential, and levelized cost of energy/capacity - Analyze capacity market structures and resource adequacy requirements to assess how Antora’s products qualify and perform as capacity resources (ELCC, accreditation rules, operational constraints) - Translate modeling results into clear product design recommendations — what to build, why it wins in the market, and what cost/performance thresholds matter most - Collaborate with engineering, product management, and commercial teams to align model assumptions with physical system capabilities and customer requirements - Prepare analysis summaries, presentations, and decision frameworks for internal leadership reviews and external stakeholders (e.g., grant milestones, partner discussions) Required Qualifications: - Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in energy systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, chemical engineering, applied math, or a related technical field (BS, MS, or PhD) - Solid foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, or power cycle engineering — through coursework, research, or applied projects - Proficient in Python for data analysis and modeling; comfort with building and running simulation/optimization models - Strong quantitative and analytical skills — ability to structure a TEA, work with large datasets, and draw actionable conclusions - Clear written and verbal communication — can turn complex modeling results into concise recommendations and presentation-ready outputs - Self-directed and comfortable working across multiple workstreams with engineers, product managers, and commercial stakeholders Preferred Qualifications: - Understanding of how U.S. electricity markets work: energy markets (LMP, day-ahead, real-time), capacity markets, and ancillary services - Coursework or research experience in electricity systems, power markets, or grid modeling — e.g., capacity expansion modeling, production cost modeling, dispatch optimization, or resource adequacy analysis - Experience with capacity expansion models (GenX, PLEXOS, AURORA, ReEDS) or production cost models - Background in energy storage, thermal systems, or heat-to-power conversion (steam turbines, thermophotovoltaics, Stirling engines, etc.) - Familiarity with capacity market rules and resource adequacy frameworks in MISO, PJM, SPP, or ERCOT - Experience with techno-economic modeling in Excel/Google Sheets and Python - Prior internship or research in energy, climate tech, or grid infrastructure Required Skills: Thermodynamics, Heat transfer, Power cycle engineering, Python, Simulation modeling, Optimization modeling, Techno-economic analysis, Data analysis, Electricity markets, Capacity markets, Ancillary services, Energy storage, Thermal systems, Heat-to-power conversion, Clear written, Self-directed work