Senior Manager, Interconnection

Purpose

This role will significantly support Liberty’s growth objectives in the development of Renewable Energy projects throughout North America by providing the strategic planning, technical analysis and management of the interconnection process for our pipeline of generation and energy storage projects. 

Accountabilities

Interconnection Strategy
•    Understand and assimilate applicable interconnection rules and procedures in all applicable jurisdictions
•    Assist origination and development teams in the preparation, submittal and management of interconnection requests to various RTO’s and provide guidance to project developers in navigating the various interconnection processes.
•    Provide strategy input for future projects with respect to interconnection challenges & solutions.
•    Work with consultants to conduct necessary studies in support of interconnection options analysis and evaluating need and cost for required system reinforcements.
•    Determine the level of engineering analysis required at the various stages of project development in order to understand and evaluate interconnection challenges.

Engineering Management
•    Work with and direct electrical engineering consultants, regarding power system studies (injection capacity, generator deliverability, congestion and curtailment) and other electrical design requirements (conceptual and detailed design for plant and substation design).
•    Direct interface with the Transmission Owners in terms of design interfaces and technical standards.
•    Assist in the review and/or development of technical requirements and scope of work for equipment supply and project design and construction contracts for renewable energy and energy storage projects.

Consultant Management
•    Work with consultants to conduct necessary studies in support of interconnection options analysis and to evaluate the need and cost for required system reinforcements
•    Manage electrical engineering consultants for the production of relevant specifications, studies and drawings as required to support project development and interconnection. 
•    Evaluate, engage and manage Owner’s Engineer and Independent Engineer firms as required to support project development.  

Technology Providers
•    Direct interface with equipment suppliers for the following types of activities
o    Interpretation and application of specifications.
o    Evaluate and recommend bids for technical compliance, solution integrity, cost, etc.
o    Develop bidding and technical specifications and testing requirements
o    Shop inspections for technical compliance.
•    Work with equipment suppliers to obtain technical data and equipment dynamic models used for transient stability, voltage ride-through and frequency ride-through analysis by RTOs, utilities and consultants.

Emerging Technologies
•    Research, understand and recommend application of emerging technologies as they may relate to, or benefit, the broader corporate mandate of   sustainable power generation asset development and growth.
•    Emerging technologies will involve telemetry and communications, power electronic-based DC/AC conversion, reactive power generation and compensation, and ancillary products and system benefits such as low or zero voltage ride through, primary frequency response, black-start features, etc.
•    Research and recommend cost and optimization benefits of emerging technologies.

Education and Experience

• We are looking for an electrical engineer with experience in the power and renewable energy industry and direct experience in the following areas:
• Generator interconnection process in North America in at least two of the following RTO’s: PJM, MISO, NYISO, NEISO, SPP, CAISO, ERCOT, IESO, AESO.
• Transmission Owner interconnection requirements
• High voltage substation design: 69 kV to 345 kV, including large power transformer and major electrical equipment specification.
• Development of power generation projects:  hydro, wind, solar, battery storage.
• Emerging power generation technologies: full DC/AC conversion power electronics, reactive power control, digital telemetry and control technologies.
• Solid understanding of protection systems, telemetry, and metering. 
• University degree in electrical engineering (Bachelor’s Degree or higher) or equivalent education/industry experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE/P.Eng.) preferred.