Opportunity to join a leading solar & BESS developer as Grid Connection Engineer, or Grid Connection Manager, based on experience. Location: Hybrid in Melbourne or Brisbane office.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage the AEMO and NSP grid connection process for renewable energy projects.
* Preliminary analysis of transmission network data to assess connection locations and capacity for early-stage developments.
* Ensure Connection Applications comply with AEMO and NSP requirement.
Technical Liaison
* Collaborate with internal teams, including project managers and developers, to meet grid connection requirements.
* Offer grid connection support to other teams, helping them understand the requirements, costs, and timeframes associated with grid connection.
* Establish and maintain communications with external stakeholders such as Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), network service providers, OEM, regulatory bodies, and technical consultants throughout the grid connection process.
* Lead the GPS and CA meetings with company's consultants.
* Take the lead in generator registration, conduct loss factor analysis, and assess the impacts of market rule changes.
* Provide technical guidance for design inputs concerning grid connection, substation, and collector network aspects of projects.
* Assist the operations team in managing plant changeovers and resolving technical non-conformances and other issues.
Regulatory Compliance
* Stay updated with the latest R0&R1 regulations and industry standards.
* Ensure all grid connection activities adhere to R0&R1 and other relevant regulations.
Project Support
* Provide technical support throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility studies to commissioning.
* Address grid connection issues that may arise during project execution.
* Support the procurement processes involved in negotiating generator facility contracts.
* Contribute to the development of effective business processes, systems, standards, and templates for efficient project delivery.
* Play a role in fostering a highly motivated work culture that encourages innovation and maintains a reputation for delivering high-quality projects to the market.
Documentation
* Develop scope-of-work documents and participate in the review and selection of Generator Performance Standard (GPS) and Connection Application (CA) consultants.
* Contribute to the generator technology assessment and OEM selection process.
* Prepare and maintain detailed documentation related to grid connection applications, analyses, and compliance.
* Ensure all documentation is up-to-date and complies with company and regulatory standards.
Qualifications & Skills
Experience
* Recent few years of grid connection experience in renewables
* Experience in connecting projects to the NEM through the AEMO connections process.
* Experience in connection application, generator registration, and negotiation of generator performance standards.
* Experience in commissioning generating assets, including Hold Point testing.
* Prior grid connection engineering experience on the NEM (solar farm and battery energy storage systems (BESS) or hybrid plant registration will be highly valued).
* Generator and power systems modeling experience – solar farm and BESS modeling highly valued with PSSE and/or PSCAD and/or Power Factory.
* Experience using PSS/E and/or PSCAD and/or Power Factory simulation tools.
* Proven track record as a Grid Connection Engineer, specifically with R0&R1 regulations.
Technical Expertise
* Strong understanding of AEMO's grid connection processes, renewable generator plant SLDs, generator operating and performance requirements.
* Good understanding of the processes that individual transmission and distribution NSPs use for grid connection.
* Good understanding of Project Management methodologies (PMBOK or Prince2).
* Strong understanding of the National Electricity Market and the National Electricity Rules.
* Solid understanding of the generator connection process in the National Electricity Market.
* Strong understanding of the regulatory framework imposed by the NER.
* Highly effective technical report writing skills with the ability to present findings clearly.
* Registration with Engineers Australia (or eligibility for registration).
Communication
* Highly effective communication skills to liaise with internal and external customers and sound negotiation and influencing skills.
Problem-Solving
* Ability to identify and efficiently resolve grid connection challenges.
* Ability to assess changes and identify opportunities within the NEM.
* Ability to prioritise effectively to arrive at the optimal solution.
Teamwork
* Demonstrable ability to work as a team member and actively promote office harmony.
* Self-motivation with a strong desire and ability to acquire both technical and business knowledge/skills.
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