RWE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd., Melbourne
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent
Functional area: Engineering
RWE Australia is one of the country’s largest renewable energy businesses. Our generation portfolio includes 2 solar farms and 1 grid scale battery. The Transmission Manager is responsible for performing and managing the grid connection modelling and studies of RWE’s Renewable Energy development and operational projects in Australia. This role will focus on wind, solar, storage, hydrogen assets (or a hybrid combination thereof) ensuring that detailed studies and performance of assets meet the requirements of the NER. The Transmission Manager will also be involved in supporting the business to inform its development strategy, working with the development, commercial and engineering teams to ensure models reflect the project accurately.
This will involve support on feasibility studies, grid connection applications, negotiating with AEMO and TNSP/DNSP on generator performance standards, providing technical support and coordination during construction/ commissioning and supporting the asset operations team in managing GPS compliance.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide technical direction and guidance for connection strategies, and provide technical input into the level of power system analysis that should be carried out, both strategically as well as on a project to project basis.
2. Support and advise the Development Team in identifying opportunities, with the aim of detecting grid connection issues early to assist in decision making and shaping projects accordingly
3. Play a key role in designing and implementing complex modelling, including the development and improvement of templates and scripts. Ensure that these meet the broader business goals and consult with other teams on how they integrate with other workstreams.
4. Perform load flow assessments to identify grid limitations both thermal and stability related
5. Manage grid connection work stream for all generator performance and compliance related matters including GPS negotiation, connection agreements, undertake PSSe and PSCAD studies etc.
6. Supervise OEM/ EPC contractors commissioning tests during construction phase, including registration, R2 validation up to handover to Operations.
7. Evaluate suggested control parameters achieve the optimal operational strategy required by RWE, in compliance with the GPS.
8. Preparation of the generator registration applications for both AEMO registrations and generation licenses.
9. Communicate project risks (critical milestone, technical and cost) associated with connection activities, record and identify mitigation strategies in conjunction with the appropriate stakeholders.
10. Work closely with Development and Engineering teams to ensure electrical plant models accurately reflect the plant design and that any issues are identified early
11. Support due diligence process for project acquisition opportunities
12. Support Operations to maintain grid compliance throughout the operational stages of the asset’s life, including facilitating communication with AEMO and the NSPs and the management of potential non-compliances
13. Remain informed of industry developments including proposed regulatory changes and represent RWE’s business interests in relevant industry forums.
Experience and Qualifications
14. Relevant Tertiary and/ or post graduate qualification (ideally in Electrical Engineering with focus on Power Systems Engineering)
15. A minimum of 5 years proven experience in modelling power systems within renewable energy projects in the NEM.
16. Strong knowledge of power systems, including experience with transmission networks and power system operations, modelling, and analysis.
17. Knowledge of electrical power system modelling and analysis tools (such as PSSE, PSCAD, PowerFactory and Python).
18. Experience with and robust understanding of the grid connection process
19. Excellent written and oral communications skills
20. Strong communication skills, with an ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders including OEM’s and NSP’s and AEMO
21. Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required.
22. Ability to operate at a detailed level, to organize and multi-task, with a dedication to seeing projects through to completion