Dan Wilson interned with the Renewable Energy Group of Black & Veatch, a global engineering consulting firm.  He performed research on renewables portfolio standard compliance in the Western states; gathered and analyzed data on various geothermal sites; gathered information on transmission and distribution infrastructure around proposed solar PV sites; estimated large industrial and commercial loads around proposed solar PV sites; created, populated and analyzed a database of renewable energy technology costs and characteristics; created a database of solar PV project; and produced a report on the relationship between renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies.  He learned an enormous amount about how renewable energy projects are incentivized, planned, built, financed, regulated, and managed, in California and throughout the Western states.  He gained a greater understanding of specific renewable energy technologies (solar PV, solar thermal, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas, hydro, waste to energy, etc.), as well as how to assess and map renewable resource potential and estimate the costs of renewable energy sources.  He also gained experience in how large and small projects are managed by a consulting firm, how to interact with clients, and how California energy policy actually works on the ground.  On a personal level, he worked with a very smart but laid-back group of people, was treated like part of the team (rather than as just an intern), and enjoyed the projects that he worked on.  He developed analytical skills, improved his abilities with Word, Excel, and GIS, and was able to manage his own projects to a large degree.  Overall, his internship experience was excellent.

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