Energy Forecasting: My Summer in CAISO’s Infrastructure & Operations Planning Department

Gabriel Reygrobellet, MS ‘24 Civil and Environmental Engineering 
Graduate Fellow 
California Independent System Operator  
 

This summer, I embarked on a unique journey as a fellow at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). I came in with some expectations, a touch of uncertainty, and a whole lot of excitement.  
It was my first time fully working from home… and first time working in the U.S. at all. I wasn't so sure how it would pan out. Would it be challenging to connect with my co-workers? Turns out, CAISO’s Resource Assessment & Planning team is incredibly welcoming. They ensured that I felt like an integral part of the group right from the beginning. I was treated like any of the other five team members and took part in weekly meetings since week one. I also managed to drive up to Folsom twice over the summer where I met with many co-workers from the department.

My primary task at CAISO was to enhance some Python scripts used for generating hourly samples for load, solar, and wind generation based on historical data. It took me some readings at first to understand what mean reversion stochastic modeling was and how to make it work in practice. I guess getting started is always to hardest part.

One of CAISO’s main missions is balancing the grid in real time i.e., telling the electrons how and when to flow through power lines. This means that CAISO has a high level of security, which I hadn’t thought of. Setting up a working Python environment when you need to send a request for any library install can be very challenging. Although, it wasn't part of my official task, I worked hand in hand with the IT team to set up Python on the remote servers, which will make things a lot smoother for the future interns.

As I wrap up my summer at CAISO, I can't help but reflect on how this experience has influenced my future plans. The intricacies of CAISO's work in managing California's electric grid have opened my eyes to the complexity of the energy sector. I've gained valuable insights into load, solar, and wind generation forecasting, along with essential data analysis skills crucial for ensuring the electric grid's reliability and efficiency. This summer at CAISO has reaffirmed my interest for sustainable energy integration. I now aim to keep on diving deeper into the study of the electric grid and its role in advancing renewable energy sources.

On a personal note, I've discovered that coding for eight hours a day isn't as daunting as it might seem, especially when accompanied by a good cup of morning coffee and a supportive team.

In conclusion, my summer fellowship at CAISO has exceeded my expectations in many ways. It's been a journey of professional growth, unexpected challenges, and meaningful connections. As I look ahead to the future, I do so with a deeper interest for the electric grid and a heart full of gratitude for the incredible experience CAISO has provided me.