Engineer Specialist, Network Analysis

AESO•Calgary, AB

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results. Reporting to the Manager, Operations Business Applications & Planning, we are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable, and professional individual to join the team as an Engineer Specialist, Network Analysis, who will contribute to the reliable operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric system (AIES) while supporting the transformation of Alberta’s electrical industry. Power system network analysis is an essential reliability function, delivered in real time by the AESO’s Energy Management System (EMS). The EMS is the primary software solution used by system controllers to manage the reliability of the AIES. Comprised of many interacting software systems, the EMS provides essential reliability solutions in the form of real-time power systems applications such as automatic generation control, state estimation, and contingency analysis. These solutions are critical tools applied by system controllers to maintain the reliable operation of the AIES. As an Engineer Specialist in Network Analysis, you will be a technical leader in the field of real-time power system network analysis, shaping the reliability of the AIES and promoting technical excellence within the Operations Systems team.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus in Power Systems
A registered Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) with APEGA
A minimum of 12 years experience as a P. Eng. with 5 or more years experience with real-time contingency analysis, state estimation, and voltage and transient stability analysis
A minimum of 3 years experience with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) concepts and applications
Familiarity with commonly used engineering scripting and programming languages
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive)

Nice To Haves

Specific experience with GE’s AEMS (e-terra) product suite will be an asset
Specific experience integrating market management systems with energy management systems will be an asset

Responsibilities

Develop a deep understanding of real-time contingency analysis within the AIES, with additional focus on the application and management of remedial action schemes (RAS).
Develop technical expertise with the EMS software tools used to perform state estimation and contingency analysis.
Develop a deep understanding of the impact of real-time contingency analysis on energy dispatch in AESO’s Market Management System (MMS).
Participate in cross-functional initiatives with AESO principal engineers, engineer specialists, and other real-time business owners to improve real-time contingency analysis and RAS management.
Review and propose changes to the EMS real-time network model to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of all network applications, including state estimator and contingency analysis.
Contribute to upgrade and enhancement projects and strategic initiatives as a subject matter expert in real-time power system analysis across the EMS software tools, including voltage, transient, and small signal stability analysis solutions.
Establish and evolve standards and guidelines for improving the management of RAS and real-time contingency analysis.
Provide oversight for compliance activities related to network analysis.
Mentor and train system controllers, engineers in training, and other team members on topics related to real-time power system network analysis.