Interconnection Engineer

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Minnesota

Description

The Interconnection Engineer will serve as the lead for the company’s interconnection activities from a market and technical perspective. The primary responsibilities will include oversight of the interconnection process for the project portfolio, evaluation of opportunities, rights, constraints, and congestion as it relates to projects and the broader renewable market. Developing new projects is the life-blood of our business and having an individual with the required skills and experience will allow projects to be efficiently submitted and approved for interconnection.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic and technical input to Development, Commercial, Finance, Operations, EPC teams as projects are evaluated for purchase, development, and ongoing investment.
• Interface with utilities on all calls and meetings.
• Lead technical and economic evaluation studies of solar, solar + storage projects, and microgrids, assisting with market price analysis.
• Lead market evaluation of renewable energy emerging technologies. Evaluate transmission and interconnection tariffs, costs, timelines, and processes for a variety of markets to provide strategic guidance.
• Collaborate with project development teams to assess the electrical interconnection requirements for community solar projects. Evaluate and analyze grid interconnection options and constraints.
• Stay abreast of local, state, and federal regulations related to interconnection standards and compliance. Ensure that all projects adhere to regulatory requirements and standards.
• Conduct and oversee grid impact studies to assess the potential impact of community solar projects on the electrical grid. Work closely with utilities and regulatory bodies to address any grid-related challenges.
• Engage with utility companies, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate the interconnection process. Act as the primary point of contact for all interconnection-related matters.
• Prepare and submit technical documentation required for interconnection applications, including interconnection agreements, engineering studies, and compliance reports.
• Work closely with project managers, engineers, and construction teams to ensure seamless integration of community solar projects into the grid. Provide technical support during project implementation.
• Investigate and resolve any interconnection issues that may arise during the development, construction, or operation of community solar gardens.
• Participate in regional and national organizations and policy initiatives related to expanding grid access and modifying regulations for solar + storage projects and microgrids.
• Work closely with utilities to identify and resolve integration-related issues; provide technical and strategic solutions to utilities and internal teams to ensure project interconnection.
• Develop a thorough understanding and evaluation of potential interconnection options for various projects, and the related costs, benefits, and challenges for each option.
• Design/schedule SCADA requirements for projects and utility requirements.
• Travel to remote sites to assist project commissioning and signal check-out activities of SCADA communications.
• Inspect construction installation to ensure that construction is installed per the IFC drawings. Ensure engineering designs comply with UL, IEEE, ISA requirements
• Oversee the finalization of PVsyst system modeling based on site As-Builts.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving.
• Have a high degree of familiarity with the National Electric Code regarding PV Solar Systems.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited program.
• 5+ years with direct experience in interconnection planning in the North American energy markets:
• Experience providing Single Line and electrical diagram support for interconnection applications and ongoing interconnection study processes including negotiating interconnection agreements.
• In-depth abilities with AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, Power System Modeling, CYME and Studies using GE PSLF and PowerWorld.
• OASIS/OATI, GE PSLF, PSSE, Gridview, ABB Velocity Suite, and/or Power flow for purposes of utility grid analysis (congestion, pricing, delivery).
• Proficiency with SPS/RAS Studies, NERC TPL Studies, Post Transient Voltage (P-V, Q-V analysis) Sub synchronous Resonance/Control Interaction Screen Studies:
• Energy ToolBase for solar + storage projects.
• In-depth knowledge of PVsyst and its use for finance modeling.
• Proficiency with creating Preliminary Transmission Cost Estimates.
• Experience working with utilities, ISO/RTOs, public utility commissions, and regulators.
• Proficiency with reading blueprints, plans, specs, contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders.
• Must be detail-oriented and efficient in problem solving.
• Proficiency with Procore or other construction management software.

Bonus points!

• Licensed P.E. in the state of MN, ME, IL and/or any states NES is building projects, or the ability to obtain your P.E.
• Two years of overseeing civil design.
• NCEES Council Record.
• Current established relationships with Minnesota or Maine utilities (e.g., Xcel, Versant).
• Experience working with renewable development teams.