Distributed Energy Resources - Distributed Energy Resources Services Manager

Platte River Power Authority•Fort Collins, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Distributed Energy Resources Services Manager is responsible for developing distributed energy resources (DERs) and DER integration solutions through collaboration and coordination between the organization and its owner communities to provide benefits to all customers and to support achievement of Resource Diversification Policy and strategic initiatives. The Distributed Energy Resources Services Manager leads in the research, development, recommendation, procurement and implementation of DERs and DER integration solutions—which may include DERs; interconnection policies; enabling communication and control technologies; data management and analytics, programs or electric rates—in consultation with a cross functional team of Platte River and owner community utility staff to develop DERs and to make them visible, predictable, reliable and responsive to electric system operators.

Requirements

Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to research, develop, recommend and coordinate the implementation of distributed energy resources solutions
Extensive knowledge of at least one distributed energy resources type or technology, such as distributed storage, demand response, electric vehicle charge management
Extensive knowledge of one or more distributed energy resources integration solutions, programs or systems (VPP, DERMS, DER data management)
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and programs
Ability to think analytically and solve complex problems
Excellent relationship building ability, teamwork and team leadership ability
Ability to work with, engage and gain support of diverse internal and external stakeholders through open dialog and an enthusiastic and inquisitive approach
Excellent customer service skills
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, business or related field
3+ years of experience in:
Researching, developing, and implementing DER projects and integration solutions in a utility environment, with a focus on solutions that improve visibility, predictability, reliability, and responsiveness to system needs
Working in and leading a cross-functional team committed to providing excellent customer service
Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy

Nice To Haves

Work experience in:
DER data acquisition, integration, and management
DER operation in an organized wholesale market environment such as SPP
Certification as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP)

Responsibilities

Researches, develops, recommends, procures and implements approved distributed energy resource projects and integration solutions that develop DERs and make them visible, predictable, reliable and responsive to electric system operators. DER refers to technologies that can be deployed on the distribution system or within customer premises that can provide benefits to the electric system or to customer, such as electric efficiency, beneficial electrification, demand response, distributed storage and distributed generation. Electric system operators include those operating the owner communities’ distribution systems and the organization’s transmission, generation and distributed energy resources.
Leads in the planning, development, procurement implementation, operation and optimization of one or more of the components comprising a distributed resource management system (DERMS), which is a “system of systems” capable of providing dispatchable capacity for Platte River and the owner communities in the form of a virtual power plant (VPP).
Collaborates with a cross-functional team of Platte River and its owner communities’ utility staff to develop DER projects and integration solutions that consider the perspectives of power supply and marketing, power delivery (transmission and distribution), planning, information/operation technology, cyber security, finance and customer energy solutions
Works closely with the organization and its owner communities’ planning and operations staff to support their planning efforts. Works to ensure DERs provide reliability and financial benefits commensurate with costs
Develops and maintains knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool Regional Transmission Organization’s (SPP RTO) requirements and opportunities for DER operation within the market.
Develops and implements strategies to integrate, manage, analyze and use data from diverse sources for use in DER management and VPP operation. This may include DER interconnection or enrollment data, DER operational data, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data
Serves as a technical lead/liaison between Platte River and the owner communities in areas where distribution systems and policies intersect with DERMS and VPP operation (e.g., advanced distribution management systems and interconnection standards).
Collaborates closely with the organization’s and its owner communities’ finance and rates staff to ensure coordination between programmatic and ratemaking approaches to distributed energy resources integration
Provides technical support to organization’s and its owner communities’ energy solutions, customer services and marketing and communications staff to ensure distributed energy resources integration solutions are well received and supported by the owner communities’ customers
Maintains awareness of individual owner community DER planning, solution development and implementation. Serves as a technical resource to the organization’s owner communities in DER project and integration solution development. Tracks DER adoption within the owner communities
Hires and manages consultants, vendors and trade allies as required to develop and implement projects and integration solutions
Works as part of cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and reliability requirements governing the integration of DER into the grid
Works collaboratively with key stakeholders to understand their interests and to gain support for the organization’s DER initiatives
Develops and manages budgets necessary to complete assigned work
Maintains current with local, state and federal regulations and potential impacts
Maintains awareness of technology development and utility integration approaches
Works under the general supervision of distributed energy resources manager to ensure alignment with department goals, to communicate successes and to seek support when challenges are encountered
Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage
Telemedicine
Benefit advocacy
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending plan
Basic life insurance
Basic accidental death and disability
Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary)
Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary)
Long-term disability insurance
Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan
Paid holidays (12 annually)
Paid time off: personal and sick leave
Wellness program
In-house training opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program