Power System Engineering Analyst

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us?

You've got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn't happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You'll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences - and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province's power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province's electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario's electricity needs - now and into the future.

The opportunity

Market Forecasts & Integration:

Develops the day-ahead operating plan for IESO's Control Room to reliably operate Ontario's electricity grid and energy market. This is done by integrating energy market and electricity grid system conditions, conducting power system studies to ensure we meet reliability criteria, approving and rejecting transmission and generation equipment outage requests, and communicating about the operating plan with IESO's Control Room and external stakeholders.

This is a promotion-in-place (PIP) affected role, candidates with lesser qualifications would be considered for a Power System Engineer-in-Training role.

The power system engineer conducts engineering studies, analysis and application of specialized technology in the field of power systems in support of real-time operations, operations planning or planning activities. Supply analytical and technical support for policies, operating agreements, equipment specifications, operational and outage plans and system investments. Conduct model development, studies and analysis that:

• contribute to the production of Operating Instructions (including System Control Orders and on-demand limits);
• support IESO security, adequacy and operability obligations found in the Market Rules and in applicable NERC and NPCC reliability standards;
• assess the impact on reliability and validate performance of new or modified facilities impacting the IESO-controlled-grid;
• develop and update models, data and security applications for existing, new or modified facilities;
• support online and off-line security model management (models, data, and security applications); and
• support the coordination with neighboring entities on NERC, NPCC and regional market in the area of reliability matters.

This position exists across multiple areas in Market and System Operations, with materially similar accountabilities and skill requirements. In addition to detailing common duties, this job document identifies area specific expectations that assist incumbents and managers in understanding specific expectations for that area.

Conduct engineering studies and analysis to resolve inquiries and support real-time operations, operations planning or planning functions through analysis and application of highly specialized technology in the field of power system operation in areas including:

• Operating Security Limits (all time frames);
• transfer capability;
• outage (transmission and resource) assessment and support;
• transmission services;
• ancillary service requirements;
• supply adequacy, security and operability;
• joint operating and/or planning studies;
• inter-area activities;
• new or modified power system facilities and connections to the IESO-controlled grid;
• NERC/NPCC reliability standards compliance and support;
• executing the Day Ahead commitment process;
• equipment performance and model validation;
• developing and managing online and off-line models used by security and market software;
• validation of the real time operating plan;
• mentoring and assisting training of new and/or junior staff; or
• supporting real-time operations use of operating instructions and the accuracy of security software results.

What you'll do

Receive assignment from the Sr Power System Engineer, Engineering Supervisor, Engineering Manager, and/or Senior Manager in general terms on specific problems related to assigned areas of work. Obtain necessary data for problem solution. Develop solutions to problems, information and produce the necessary justification (documentation, study results, etc.) to substantiate recommendations.

Limit Derivation and Outage Integration Role:

• Through technical studies, identify bounds of operations and define critical parameters in the power system for all time frames within the normal scope of coverage. Produce reports to support findings and recommendations.
• Through technical studies, identify power system operating limits and instructions in support of real-time, operations planning and long-term planning using appropriate study criteria within the normal, high-risk and emergency system conditions.
• As required, derive limits and operating instructions within the normal scope of coverage and for forced/planned outages in all time frames, including the provision of TTC/ATC to facilitate the energy markets, capacity/demand response auctions, and transmission rights markets.
• Issue and oversee the revision, maintenance and accuracy of operating limits to support reliability monitoring and security constrained economic dispatch (market) systems through applicable contingency analysis software and instructions used by off-shift and on-shift staff.
• Support real-time monitoring tools as they related to system and market operations.
• Complete outage integration reviews and reporting for system security and adequacy with the purpose of accepting or rejecting outage requests from market participants and neighbouring entities. Coordination between participants, neighbouring entities, or with the IESO maybe be required.

Assess Power System Change Role:

• Undertake System Impact, Technical Feasibility and de-registration assessments to evaluate the reliability and operability impact of a new or modified connection, or a disconnection, on the integrated power system using applicable IESO, NERC and NPCC reliability standards.
• Prepare reports containing the results of the study, any required system upgrades and connection requirements, and a recommendation for the IESO to issue a notice of approval or disapproval for the new or modified connection.
• Validate registration data based on information initially submitted for assessment. Re-assess the proposed connection if the registration data differs materially from the configuration or technical parameters that were used by the IESO to approve the new or modified facility
• Provide support for regional and bulk power system planning, for preparation of evidence required by connection applicants to obtain the OEB's leave to construct and for inquiries from neighboring jurisdiction as they relate to connection assessments.
• Conduct technical studies to support the IESO's initiatives for evolving the policies related to the operations and evolution of the IESO-controlled grid and the IESO-administered markets.

Modelling and Validation Role:

• Develop base cases to support Ontario and regional reliability studies by the IESO, participants and other external organizations
• Develop and maintain suitable models to support the IESO's Energy Management and Market Systems to enable the applicable real-time and day-ahead operations.
• Maintain and support the IESO's contingency analysis software used by off-shift and on-shift staff.
• Specify and review the results of tests to confirm that facilities connected to the IESO-controlled grid satisfy the IESO's performance requirements. Based on the results of performance tests, recommend transmission and generation models suitable for planning and operating studies.

Compliance Studies Role:

• Validate and support standards compliance as well as industry best practices by completing the necessary technical studies required through participation in appropriate NERC/NPCC committees, working groups, forums, etc. that involve coordinated interconnected technical studies to assess the security of the IESO-controlled-grid and surrounding region under various system conditions.
• Conduct joint studies to review the utilization of resources on the interconnected system to achieve maximum economic gain and operating flexibility.
• Support SPS/RAS classification processes on behalf of the IESO with external standards authorities.

Common Role:

• Support IESO security, adequacy and operability obligations found in the Market Rules and in applicable NERC and NPCC reliability standards.
• Support the preparation and delivery of reliability compliance evidence, including work procedures, RSAWs, market manuals, training material and participation in reliability audits
• Participate in task forces, as well as internal/external committees on matters related to the secure and economic operation of the IESO-controlled-grid. Represent the IESO on interconnection committees. Participate as assigned, as a representative of the IESO before regulatory agencies, etc. and endeavor to advance the interests of the organization in designated areas.
• Supply a consultative service to other departments and/or business units on matters related to adequacy, security and operability.
• Mentor and assist training of new and/or junior staff
• Exercise limited/periodic supervision over assigned staff on special projects.
• Sign or sign and seal documents as a P Eng. thus taking professional responsibility for one's own work.
• On occasion, sign or sign and seal documents as a P Eng. for peer review, or to assume professional engineering responsibility for engineering work performed by unlicensed staff.
• Perform other duties as required.

What you need to succeed

Education:

• Requires engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, mathematics, computers science and the like to conduct engineering, economic or analytical studies related to the management and control of the bulk power system. Requires knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports.
• This knowledge is acquired through the completion of an engineering/applied sciences degree from an accredited university or by having the equivalent education.
• Requires a licence to engage in the practice professional engineering in Ontario and be competent in the field of electrical engineering.

Experience:

Requires lengthy exposure to the overall power system operation through progressive training in an appropriate technical field. Requires specific experience as applicable to the particular specialty of the group. Experience will be related to the fields of:

• utilization of generation resources
• secure operation of bulk power system
• reliability

Background experience will include:

• electrical engineering design concepts as they relate to the functions and characteristics of power system components
• analytical studies and the application of computer techniques to solve power system problems
• familiarity with power system operation, practices, and policies
• familiarity with electric energy and transmission rights market operations, practices, policies, and Market Rules
• competitive market operations
• provincial operating and system requirements
• particulars of power system operation, including technical features of equipment and facilities, high-tension transmission, system interconnection and methods of attaining efficiency in power production and interchange between systems
• A period of over 6 years, up to and including 8 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

What's in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry
  

Deadline: October 25, 2024

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment - one that values every team member's unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview.

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga location.

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