Senior Engineer / Engineer, Customer Access Studies

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.

The Customer Access Studies (CAS) team is responsible for the delivery and the transmission planning for connection projects to provide system access to market participants connecting to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). The AESO is revamping the customer projects interconnection process, where customer projects will be processed in batches and studied in the form of a Cluster Study.

Reporting to the CAS Manager and working closely with the CAS Lead Engineer, we are looking for two full-time positions: 1) Engineer, and 2) Senior Engineer.

These positions will run interconnection engineering studies, prepare engineering solutions to project challenges, including technical decision-making for assigned projects, engineering assessments, documentation, and technical regulatory support to facilitate System Access Service Requests to the AIES. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, as well as a team of engineers ranging from EITs to senior engineers to learn from and together with.

You will enjoy working with us if:

• You flourish in a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.
• You enjoy multitasking and balancing multiple files and projects in flight.
• You have high personal accountability, placing attention on priorities and value-add items.
• You work well with project-based work, diligently maintaining technical project files to ensure key assigned project deliverables are met.
• You value flexibility to support life and personal needs. We offer a flexible work practice where some weeks may require more onsite presence during key business or operations events.
• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals, and work and learn in a diverse atmosphere - our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
• You embrace change, pivot and adapt with ease.
• You thrive in a dynamic environment and seek opportunities for transformative change.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Help develop the load and generation forecasts.
• Conduct power flow, stability, short circuit, and advanced power system analysis studies for the project inter connection using PSS/E software.
• Prepare information for, and participate in stakeholder meetings.
• Justify the selection of alternative solutions, and prepare single line diagrams and documentation for relevant connection alternative selection.
• Participate in industry organization committees (e.g., WECC and IEEE).
• Prepare and review Technical Studies base case models in PSS/E software
• Review, comment and accept Distribution Deficiency Reports submitted by Distribution Facility Owners.
• Coordinate with appropriate members to prepare economic analysis, review results, and develop models which support connection projects.
• Provide support to AESO Legal team in response to AUC regulatory proceedings.
• Prepare and authenticate Engineering Connection Assessment, Connection Proposals and collaborate in relevant power system technical assessment.
• Maintain effective lines of communication with Market Participants to resolve technical issues
• Prepare and approve Engineering Study Scope documents for the specific projects within the assigned Cluster (regional area).
• Determine options or alternative solutions for connecting Market Participants to the Alberta transmission network.
• Provide expert opinion to external and internal stakeholders, communicating engineering aspects, findings, recommendations, and risks.
• Analyze system constraints when identified in engineering studies and help determine Remedial Action Schemes or mitigation plans within a connection project.

A combination of these skills and experiences will support your success in this role:

• 5 - 8 years of engineering experience in the electric utility industry, with some exposure to power systems models, engineering studies and analysis, customer connections, transmission planning, and engineering economics.
• Transmission system operations, transmission facility and line design, engineering functional specifications, and Remedial Action Schemes.
• An understanding of the following will be beneficial:
• Distribution and substation planning and design.
• Protection and control.
• AESO tariff and legal regulatory framework.
• Registered or eligible for registration with APEGA (P.Eng.).
• Proficient in engineering study tools such as PSS/e, PSCAD, TSAT, etc.
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
• Post Graduate Degree in Electrical Power Systems will be an asset.
• Electromagnetic transient analysis.

Application deadline: July 3, 2023

If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to be full participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.

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