Internship Journeys - Rachael Gradeen
DEC Catches Up With Rachael Gradeen
Source: Patricia Faucher | · DEC · | November, 2024
DEC caught up with Rachael Gradeen, a former intern from 2019. Attracted by DEC’s commitment to the energy transition, Gradeen has since taken her passion for decentralised energy to Europe, where she now works with a Dutch startup tackling grid congestion. We were thrilled to hear how she continues to learn and adapt to new energy challenges abroad, especially in a landscape with renewable energy capacity beyond grid limitations! In this article, Gradeen shares her ongoing journey, insights into her work, and reflections on her time with DEC.
What is the path you took which led you to a DEC internship?
In 2019, I was midway through my Master’s program and had the option to pursue an internship with a company of choice. In my hunt for an organisation working on the energy transition, I landed upon DEC and thus began my internship journey!
What did you study in college/university?
I received my MSc. in Sustainable Development at Uppsala University in Sweden. And prior to that I attained my BSc. in Biology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
What did you work on while you were interning at DEC?
While interning at DEC, I researched and published an article on property-assessed clean energy (PACE). At the time, the Alberta provincial government had recently released a proposal for their version of PACE, the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). My research piece explored the different iterations of this program around the world, and highlighted the key features that would make the CEIP even stronger.
What did you learn from your time at DEC?
Too many things to count! I had the chance to dive deep into the field of decentralised energy. I saw all the amazing things that were happening around me to advance the energy transition. And I learned how to work in a very proactive, tight-knit team.
What challenges did you face during your internship, and how did you overcome them?
One challenge that I struggled with during my internship was finding sources. Most of the resources I found online about PACE were vague or outdated. However, when I mentioned this to Anouk, she immediately connected me with the right people and I was able to gather first-hand information. This added so much value to my article and taught me the irreplaceable value of a strong network.
In what ways did your internship at DEC influence your perspective on renewable energy and sustainability?
The internship really showed me how proactive and committed the decentralised energy space in Canada is. It invigorated my interest in renewable energy and highlighted the fact that we as a country are on a bright and sustainable path, where the momentum is only accelerating.
Are you still working in the field of DE or a related field? Where are you working now?
I am indeed still working in decentralised energy! I have since moved from Canada to the Netherlands, and am now working for Eddy Grid, a Dutch start-up that helps reduce grid congestion by pairing industrial-scale batteries with smart energy management software. Essentially our software charges batteries when there’s grid congestion, and discharges when there’s consumer demand, freeing up space on the grid for more electric and renewable energy sources to be added to it. Our software empowers battery owners to reduce grid congestion locally, shifting the load away from the typically centralised grid system.
Where do you hope to be in the future?
I hope to continue working on the energy transition for the foreseeable future. Now that I’m in the Netherlands, it’s exciting to see how things work in a different country with its own grid complications. Here, the growing renewable capacity is challenging the traditional electricity grid! I look forward to seeing how the decentralised energy ecosystem in Canada will help to mitigation this challenge for the country.
What role do you think decentralised energy will play in our energy future (globally)?
I believe decentralised energy will only become more important in the future. We’re already seeing an incredible rise of prosumers around the world, with people wanting to be in charge of their own energy production and consumption. As well, there is a growing request for transparency within the space, and agile, decentralised energy solutions are often the first ones to provide for it. I look forward to seeing comparatively how decentralised energy grows in places where centralised energy has been the norm, and in places where it may be able to leapfrog older technologies in favour of newer ones. It’s an exciting time to be working in decentralised energy, and I have high expectations of it for the future.
DEC has been transformational in my own career journey, and I am grateful to have had the chance to get to know this bubbling industry! If you’re at all interested in learning more about it or meeting like-minded professionals, I’d absolutely recommend attending the Decentralised Energy Forum 2025. Based on personal experience, the quality and diversity of speakers will leave you feeling inspired and motivated. Can highly recommend!