Senior Grid Engineer
Description
Do you want to work to make Power for Good?
We're the world's largest independent renewable energy company, guided by a simple yet powerful vision to create a future where everyone has access to affordable, zero carbon energy.
We know that achieving our ambitions would be impossible without our people. Because we're tackling some of the world's toughest problems, we need the very best people to help us. They're our most important asset so that's why we continually invest in them.
RES is a family with a diverse workforce, and we are dedicated to the personal and professional growth of our people, no matter what stage of their careers they're at. We can promise you rewarding work which makes a real impact, the chance to learn from inspiring colleagues from across a growing, global network and opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
Our competitive package offers a wide range of benefits and rewards.
The position
Cost effective grid connections are an increasingly critical factor in the successful development of all of our projects.
The Senior Grid Engineer works within one of the wind, solar or storage development teams and is responsible for identifying optimum grid connection solutions, securing grid connection agreements and assisting in managing associated financial liabilities. They need to manage the contestable grid connection design process in respect of contestable grid connection works. Senior Grid Engineers need to build / manage good relationships with the relevant grid companies, liaising and challenging where appropriate to identify the optimum solutions.
The Senior Grid Engineer manages delivery of the electrical engineering support on project electrical balance of plant in the pre-consent stage of a project. This includes advice to enable production of planning application drawings, preliminary interconnection route assessment and development of a robust economic model. They provide support through the detailed design and construction phase in relation to grid connection and grid code compliance to ensure a timely energisation. Where required, Senior Grid Engineers will also provide support to operating projects through the Support Services team as part of grid trouble shooting and third party adoption.
As subject matter experts, Senior Grid Engineers will also provide support to project team Grid Engineers through provision of task peer review, problem solving and expert advice as required.
Organisational Context
- Line managed by a Project Manager in one of the wind, solar or storage development teams.
- For project matters: reports to a New Sites Manager or Development Project Manager during the pre-consent phases, a Project Manager in the Post Consent Phase and to a Construction Project Manager during the project construction phase.
- Procure specialist services from within the company or externally as appropriate in order to secure detailed electrical design elements (where required in the pre-consent phase) and specialist grid studies.
- Interface with the project Electrical Design Engineer and Scada Engineer during the detailed design and construction phase.
Accountabilities
- Carry out grid connection feasibility studies for new sites and provide grid input into new site search activities as required.
- Identify optimum grid connection solutions taking into account operational factors such as grid use of system charging, loss adjustments and grid related constraint / curtailment.
- Secure grid connection agreements (or modifications) aligned with the project strategy.
- Negotiate grid technical requirements and preparation of contract documents.
- Identify and track grid liabilities, provide advice on connection agreement strategies to help manage risk exposure.
- Prepare executive approval memo’s for entering grid agreements and/or securing an increase in liabilities.
- Grid company relationship management.
- Advise on project substation grid equipment layout for planning applications and environmental impact assessment reports.
- Provide advice on interconnection options including ICP and private wire options.
- Provide robust information on grid connection costs and substation equipment for project financial models.
- Manage ICP design process in relation to contestable connection works including the planning / co-ordinating of multidisciplinary inputs and interface with the DNO including DNO design approval.
- Deliver grid compliance (including EON, ION, FON) to enable timely energisation and operation of the project.
- Advise on the procurement of specialist electrical engineering e.g. grid code compliance design solutions and specialist studies.
- When required, provide support to operating projects through the Support Services team as part of grid trouble shooting and third party adoption
- Provide leadership for implementing new processes and ways of working and rolling them out as Business As Usual.
- When required provide support to project team Grid Engineers through provision of task peer review, problem solving and expert advice.
- Where required, represent the business in industry forums and contribute to debate / progression of grid policy and technical code content.
- Expert knowledge of power systems up to 33kV and above in a power generation environment.
- Expert knowledge of grid technical connection requirements and commercial policies.
- Strong understanding of commercial project requirements and priorities.
Knowledge
Skills
- Strong ability to drive innovative, alternative (more costs effective or timely) grid connection solutions and to negotiate with external grid companies.
- Commercial awareness relating to contract compliance, cost control and relative value of engineering solutions.
- Project planning and management in order to align key grid milestones with wider project delivery.
- Presentation skills to technical and non-technical audiences – written and verbal.
- Attention to detail during preparation and review of design deliverables.
- Ability to provide empathetic expert support and advice to UK&K project Grid Engineers.
Experience
Strong experience sufficient to perform at mentor / thought leader level (minimum of 5 years) in the installation, testing, commissioning and operation of multiple power generation systems and other electrical engineering works.
Qualifications
- Degree/HND/HNC in Electrical Engineering or related subject
At RES, we celebrate differences as we know it makes our company a great place to work. Encouraging applicants with different backgrounds, ideas and points of view, we create teams who work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our multiple perspectives come from many sources including the diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, marital status, parental status, education, social background and life experience of our people.
