Internship Report
The internship
HermanDeGroot Engineers and Larderel Energy are researching how to upscale geothermal energy in the Netherlands since 2015. The research covers the geology, technology, and the social and environmental aspects of geothermal energy. The body of research currently consists of individual studies.
During the internship I compiled the studies, identified weaker links in the compiled knowledge, and researched and fortified the connections. The resulting implementation plan consists of a strategic implementation plan, which bridges the vision and the long-, medium, and short-term goals, and a project plan, which focuses on the specific steps to reach the short-term goal. The strategic
implementation plan utilizes different analyses to identify assumptions, future scenario’s, and to reduce risks. It is also a framework for tactical decision making, since it outlines the assumptions made and requirements for possible decisions. The project plan consists of a project description, a logframe (outlining the goals, activities, and outputs), a responsibility matrix, a workflow, budget, time schedule, and the project assumptions. The project plan gives a clear overview of the resources, responsibilities, and time available for the project. This compiled knowledge will be integrated into the company processes through the created workflows and description of in which phases certain knowledge is needed.
The company
Larderel Energy envisions a future in which geothermal energy provides for electricity, heating, and cooling in the Netherlands. Geothermal energy can significantly reduce CO2 emissions while simultaneously providing a constant and predictable energy supply.
Geothermal energy is a promising developing technology that uses the high temperatures of the deeper earth to power electrical turbines and generate electrical energy. In this manner, electrical energy is generated without emitting CO2 or other greenhouse gasses. The electrical energy is generated
regardless of the weather, and provides relatively more power on a smaller total area than wind or solar energy. Geothermal energy can thus provide more power in a cleaner and more regular manner, with a smaller impact on land use changes than other renewable energy options.
A geothermal energy plant minimally consists of a production- and an injection well. Hot water is pumped from the production well. The heat is used to generate electricity, and to provide heating and cooling for buildings and industries. The used, cooler water is pumped into the injection well and back into the underground reservoir.
In order to make sure that geothermal energy can contribute to the Dutch energy mix, a broad range of subjects should be studied: the geology, the energy plant, technical concepts and possibilities, business models, funding, legal aspects, life cycles, environmental effects, safety, politics, governance, social aspects, organisations, and more.
Larderel energy is actively researching on how to develop and implement geothermal energy in the Netherlands. The research is led by a multidisciplinary team of interns. The energy company is a sister
company of HermanDeGroot Engineers and is situated in the same building where HermanDeGroot has its headquarters in Amersfoort.
My internship consisted of writing the geothermal energy implementation report. I completed the following actions:
Performed a literature review, consisting mostly of the previous internship reports and other internal reports.
Researched the requirements for an implementation plan and created a framework that would fit the project.
Performed a specific literature review to strengthen the knowledge gaps. Writing the strategic management plan.
Writing the project plan.
Re-calibrating the strategic and project plans.
I had weekly meetings with my supervisor where we evaluated my progress and where I received feedback. I also had meetings with different members of the staff, in which they answered questions and provided feedback about my work. Without their input, the implementation report would be less comprehensive.
Personal reflection
During the internship I got a deep technical understanding of the geological factors that are a
prerequisite to make a geothermal power plant possible. I learned about the technical aspects, such as thermodynamics, and the different technical solutions for using the warmth of the earth to drive a power plant. I also learned about the social factors that can aid in, or hinder the implementation of specific technologies. I further developed my academic skills by writing a report based on the cumulative research on the subject, and worked on the practical side of planning and writing by setting up a
company plan on how to implement the steps that will lead to the building of a geothermal power plant. My teamworking skills were improved by executing all of the above in a team setting.
My personal learning objectives were to:
1) improve my technical understanding of the geology, technologies, and social factors needed to implement geothermal energy in the Netherlands
2) improve my academic writing skills 3) improve my planning skills
4) improve my teamworking skills All of these objectives were met.
I also learned how to work in a team regardless of cultural differences. While I do speak Dutch, there are some subtle cultural differences which make bonding a little more difficult than previous working experiences. For example, jokes about pop culture are more difficult to understand for me, while these are very common in Dutch teams. The team was understanding and quick to explain the everyday jokes, which made me feel at ease and strengthened further teamwork. I also recognized that the different backgrounds were less apparent when I focused less on word choices, accents, and just expressed my thoughts like I normally would.
The report
The search for the internship
An internship is a great way to get acquainted with working in a different setting than is common at the university, and to kick-start the search for a job after studying at the university. However, it does require a very active, and in most cases a prolonged search for an internship position. I have honestly
underestimated this aspect when starting my search for an internship position.
I first listed the types of internship positions I would like to have and rated them according to my interest. My priorities were a position abroad at a large, international company. I first started my search in October 2018 and applied at multilateral corporations such as the World Bank and the IMF. I then expanded my applications to multinational mining companies. However, these positions are very well compensated ($15.000 for a three-month internship at the World Bank in Washington DC) and sought after. When I did not get through to the final round, I applied at multinational mining companies. These companies proved quite uncooperative when it came to providing workers visa’s, and expected me to visit their headquarters abroad with a tourist visa in order to be personally interviewed without a guarantee for a position. I did not accept this gamble and decided to limit my search to local companies and NGO’s.
After this unfruitful period, I took extra classes and put the internship search temporarily on hold. After completing the classes in May 2019, I applied at all companies that are listed in the internship manual. I received replies in around 10% of the cases. I asked the other students where I could apply and scoured company websites for internship positions and applied there. I finally received more replies around 2 weeks before the start of the summer vacation, and eventually got invited by Larderel Energy and Sungevity for a job interview.
I prepared for these interviews by reading about the companies (their vision, mission, goals, and
culture), reading about the positions and recruiters, and connecting my capabilities and interests further to the internship positions and the company itself. I listed the pros and cons of every position and came to the conclusion that unless the interview at Sungevity went extremely well, I would prefer the position at Larderel Energy because the challenging position fit extremely well with my education and
experience. I finally planned my journey to each company beforehand to be on time, and practiced my answers to possible questions.
Both interviews went very well. Larderel Energy’s office was much quieter and more focused on doing research, while Sungevity’s office was very busy and focused on selling their products. However, Larderel Energy had a more interesting, multi-faceted assignment available that fit extremely well with my skills and experience. I was interviewed by the director and the supervisor of Larderel Energy, and we had an immediate click. At Sungevity I was interviewed by an HR manager and supervisor, and while we did have a click, we all realized that I was quite overqualified for the internship position. I asked both parties for 3 days to decide, and informed both companies of my choice on the third day. I chose Larderel because of the reasons stated above. I would have chosen Sungevity if Larderel Energy did not invite me to work there.
Preparation
I had the summer vacation to prepare for the internship. I did this by: - Reading the UvA internship manual and rules
- Reading articles about geothermal energy
- Researching how implementation plans are written - Purchase representative clothing
- Delivering the paperwork required at Larderel’s front office to start working there
I also had to research how the paperwork fit into Dutch law and taxes, and if my nationality had any influence on this. This research took more time than expected, but luckily the answers were also simpler than expected.
The paperwork with the UvA took a little bit more time because of the summer vacation. I presented this challenge to Larderel Energy and they took an understanding, flexible approach. Luckily, my examiner also took an understanding, flexible approach regarding the paper work.
The company
Team
A project can only be successful with well-trained staff members that work together well as a team. Larderel Energy currently has an experienced director, and officially no staff members. The experts that are running the project are officially employed by HermanDeGroot engineers. These two experts are a geologist that is specialized in hydrology, and an engineer that is specialized in sustainable energy solutions. By working together with the engineers and realtors of HermanDeGroot, and interns from Dutch universities, a high-quality body of research has been produced. All of the completed research has shown that a geothermal energy plant can be technically and financially sucesfull.
Leadership style
The four main leadership styles are the authoritarian, bureaucratic, democratic, and laissez-faire styles. The authoritarian style is focused on top-down management, while the democratic style is very bottom-up driven. The paternalistic style guides by strict rules, while the laissez-faire style is characterized by a more hands-off approach. Every style has its strong and weak points, and can be implemented according to each specific situation.
The leadership style at Larderel Energy can best be described as a laissez-faire style, in which followers have a lot of freedom to decide in how to complete their work. This suits the needs of a small company, such as Larderel Energy best out of the four main leadership styles. A laissez-faire leadership style can best be implemented when:
- Followers are highly skilled
- Have more specific expertise in their field than the leader - Followers are trustworthy
All of the above prerequisites are met at Larderel Energy. Care should be taken with the laissez-faire leadership style when the leader is not able to provide sufficient feedback for a long time period, or the company suddenly grows and becomes less productive. In these cases, the (temporary) use of a different leadership style should be considered.
Individual staff traits are important to identify and adjust as much as possible when needed. The manner in which the company and teams are organized are important as well in order for project
implementation to be considered successful. In the next paragraph we will take a deeper look into the organization of the company.
Strategy
The current strategy of Larderel energy is to completely prepare for the drilling of the wells and the building phase of the geothermal power plants by fully utilizing its network and expertise. This strategy is in line with the vision, mission, and goals of the company. Once the implementation phase has been completed, the strategy should be adjusted for the execution and evaluation phases.
Culture
The way the staff interacts with each other is the main component of a company culture. This is important for the wellness of the staff and the productivity of the company.
There is an open culture at Larderel Energy in which knowledge, creativity, and innovation are key elements. The team is curious and helpful. The staff is bonded by a strong team spirit, loyalty, and trustworthiness. This strong sense of teamwork is important for Larderel Energy in reaching its goals, because the project requires a broad range of expertise, which is present within the company. Without the sharing of knowledge and expertise, projects will be implemented in a very inefficient manner. The company culture at Larderel Energy is very relaxed and still professional. The staff almost feels like family, while still keeping a professional approach to work. The most important task is to deliver timely,
professional work. The times and manner in which this is achieved is of less importance.
Month 1
In the first month I:
Performed a literature review, consisting mostly of the previous internship reports and other internal reports.
Created a planning and time schedule, especially to account for how to finish a 5-month internship within 4 months
Researched the requirements for an implementation plan and created a framework that would fit the project.
Performed a specific literature review to strengthen the knowledge gaps.
Month 2
Completed the strategic management plan.
Helped with the set-up and tour of the 25th birthday of HermanDeGroot Engineers
Month 3
In the third month I:
Wrote the project plan.
Month 4
In the fourth month I:
Finished the project plan.
Re-calibrated the strategic and project plans. Presented my research at the company
Evaluation
I had weekly evaluations with my supervisor and all of the staff, including the interns, had monthly meetings to review the projects. I was always appreciated and rated highly by my supervisor, the director, and other staff members. I do believe that my interpersonal communications skills can improve and will focus on this before and after I graduate.
Contact and knowledge sharing
I have been offered a position in Larderel Energy when the permits have been granted and the project starts. I have also offered to share my knowledge of the Dutch nitrogen problem outside of the internship and will do so in January.
