Engineer, Transmission Planning – Expansion Planning

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

3d

About The Position

Transmission Planning Overview This is one of the most exciting and dynamic times in recent history for the power industry as we evaluate and implement new resources, renewable energy, and emerging technologies to build the future of energy for the advancement of our customers and communities during a time of significant load growth. Transmission planning plays a critical role in Southern Company’s success in achieving this goal by continuously developing a reliable, flexible, and resilient transmission grid that meets the needs of our future. At Southern Company, our transmission planning organization encompasses all aspects of planning the transmission system for our subsidiary retail electric utilities in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. This includes expertise in numerous areas such as steady-state and dynamic power system analysis, power quality and transient analysis, load modeling and base case development, annual transmission expansion plan development, reliability standards compliance, retail transmission load customer evaluations, OATT transmission service requests, generator interconnection and designation studies, generation RFP procurements, unit retirement and new build evaluations, regional planning and coordination with external utilities, interface analysis, GMD and EMP analysis, transmission policy and regulatory, industry committee leadership, and tools and technology innovation. While each group within transmission planning has a targeted function, we foster an environment of cross-functional teamwork and collaboration and are committed to working with our employees on career and personal development in multiple areas of their interest. As a vertically integrated utility, we also have the unique opportunity to work closely with teams from across our organization in all major business sectors. The position listed below can be primarily located in Birmingham, AL (APC HQ) OR Atlanta, GA (GPC HQ) but will require some travel between Birmingham and Atlanta locations. Job Description: Engineer, Transmission Planning – Expansion Planning The expansion planning teams for SCS Transmission Planning have been restructured so that the formerly separate teams for APC and MPC (West) and GPC/GA ITS(East) are unified and integrated under one Transmission Planning team, TP Expansion Planning. This group now encompasses the entire service territory within APC, GPC/GA ITS, and MPC and has functional subgroups based on four key areas of responsibility: 1) Project Planning and Analysis, 2) Regulatory and Compliance Support, 3) Load Interconnection Studies, and 4) Long-Term Integrated System Planning. These groups are responsible for leading and performing transmission planning modeling and analyses in order to develop effective, reliable, and economic project solutions as well as supporting each operating company’s and ITS approval processes. This includes development of annual transmission expansion plans, NERC reliability compliance, state and federal regulatory support, evaluation of transmission load interconnection requests (high datacenter activity), and integrated system planning analyses for long-term transmission, load, generation, and fuel considerations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution is preferred (pending graduates will be considered)
• Power system analysis with common industry tools such as PSS/E and TARA
• 8760 nodal analysis with common industry tools such as PowerGem Probe
• Problem solving mindset able to engage across multiple efforts effectively
• Excellent communication, organization, and coordination skills
• Effective at presenting complex topics to leadership and externally
• Ability to communicate effectively and gain consensus with diverse groups while tailoring communication for specific technical audiences and situations
• Ability to assess complex study results and provide guidance for decision making
• Clear and effective documentation skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and databases
• Power utility industry acumen in current issues, reliability, and regulation
• Self-motivated and results-oriented
• Strategic and innovative
• Collaborative and works well in a team environment with multiple stakeholders
• Adaptable to change and less established processes
• Analytical and detail-oriented
• Focus on process improvement, training, and mentoring others
• Strong customer focus
• Exhibits Southern Company’s “Our Values”

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in engineering or business is desirable.
• Professional Engineering License is desirable.
• Transmission planning experience including electrical power system modeling and analysis is preferred.
• Experience in generation development, procurement, and resource planning is desirable.
• Experience in bulk power operations or commercial operations is desirable.
• Experience in transmission design, maintenance, and protection and controls is desirable.
• Experience in transmission project management, estimating, and scheduling is desirable.
• Experience in transmission policy and services is desirable.
• Experience in any area of power delivery is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform transmission planning power flow analyses in support of annual transmission plan development, load interconnection studies, integrated system planning, etc.
• Develop system-wide power flow models and assumptions.
• Coordinate with multiple groups and internal stakeholders within Southern Company Services and the Operating Companies to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Develop and deliver effective documentation and presentations to internal and external stakeholders to inform and gain consensus on system constraints and solution proposals.
• Participate in solution teams and other initiatives to determine transmission project feasibility, scope, and timing.
• Engage in related industry committees and initiatives.
• Research special technical issues impacting the electric power system.
• Prioritize and be proactive in training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees