Research Analyst

Appian Way Energy Partners

Appian Way Energy Partners is a small energy trading firm located in Harvard Square that focuses on trading in wholesale competitive electricity markets throughout the US. Appian Way is seeking a Research Analyst with strong economic analysis, modelling, research and quantitative skills. Electricity markets are fascinating laboratories for applied microeconomics and public policy, and offer the opportunity to learn and see real world quantitative and fundamental trading in action. The industry is extremely dynamic and continues to undergo a significant transformation in response to environmental/climate challenges, impacting industry trends and market outcomes.

The role of the Research Analyst is to support Appian Way’s Energy Traders by providing relevant research and modelling of supply and demand fundamentals, wholesale prices and grid congestion in the U.S. ISO markets. The Research Analyst will work closely with a team of energy trading professionals from diverse backgrounds that include economics, operations research, electrical engineering, public policy and business, and develop expertise in the field of energy and environmental economics and trading in electricity markets.

The ideal candidate is someone with very strong quantitative and research skills, who is looking to work in a small, dynamic environment where their efforts are directly tied to commercial decisions and outcomes. The candidate should be extremely adept at working with and manipulating large datasets, and communicating information and analyses transparently and with impact. They should be comfortable making hypotheses and judgments from incomplete information while also being a creative, tenacious and prolific researcher able to originate innovative information sources to complete the picture.

The Research Analyst will conduct analyses and build/maintain models intended to predict electricity market prices and identify potential trading opportunities. Experience with Optimal Power Flow (OPF) models or electricity market simulation tools (such as Powerworld, GE MAPS, DAYZER, Gridview, etc.) is helpful, but not required. The Research Analyst would ideally also be self-sufficient in accessing, managing and dissecting voluminous data on the power markets and constantly improving and calibrating the company’s modelling efforts to real world outcomes. Proficiency with programming tools such as visual basic, SQL and/or R is very helpful.

Tasks/Responsibilities include:

  • Research and model electricity market supply, demand, pricing and grid congestion fundamentals for daily trading and to assess longer-term trends
  • Perform general quantitative analyses and econometric studies of energy markets
  • Track and analyze electricity markets; monitor and evaluate market and environmental policy developments that impact wholesale prices; and communicate efficiently regarding market conditions
  • Mine data and conduct analysis to identify commercial opportunities

Requirements

  • College graduate with quantitative training
  • Experience in electricity markets in a consulting or commercial role a plus. Related academic experience can be substituted in lieu of work experience
  • Team-oriented and collaborative
  • Must be effective working in a fast-paced team environment, and able to see projects through to completion

Inquiries should be sent to: recruiting@appianwayenergy.com

Founded in December 2014, Appian Way Energy Partners (AWEP) trades in competitive wholesale electricity markets in the U.S., leveraging the business’ deep comparative edge in modeling and understanding electricity market price formation, particularly “congestion pricing.” Appian Way participates in the PJM, MISO, NYISO, ERCOT, SPP, and CA-ISO markets and actively trades on exchanges that offer power futures contracts.

The nature of AWEP’s differentiation and success derives from leveraging market fundamentals, sophisticated modeling and a deep understanding of market dynamics with respect to electricity grid congestion. Electricity markets are fascinating laboratories of applied micro-economics and there are immense amounts of public data available regarding the detailed operation and characterization of the industry. Success in this market requires being able to process volumes of available and disparate data to connect the dots and develop first class analytics, modelling, trading, and risk management and superior understanding of electricity markets.