Interconnection Engineer

Sol Systems•Washington, DC

32d•$150,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Interconnection Engineer is responsible for managing solar, storage and hybrid projects through the RTO/utility interconnection process through all stages of the project life cycle. This is a multi-faceted role that offers a lot of growth opportunity to offer strategic direction to a rapidly growing team and renewable pipeline for Sol Systems. The candidate will report to the Transmission Strategy Team and be an integral member of the Generation Interconnection vertical within the utility scale development team, assisting in supporting and developing other members of the organization. Sol Systems is a national clean energy firm focused on building domestic energy that benefits local communities. The Company is operating, building, and managing over 7 GW of projects across 38 States for Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, utilities, schools, and more than 40,000 customers across the United States. Sol Systems works with institutional clients, corporate partners, and foundations to create an energy future we can all believe in. The company was founded in 2008 and is led by its founder.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, data analytics, or equivalent
1-5 years of engineering experience required
Working knowledge of interconnection processes and requirements for at least one of the following: MISO, PJM, ERCOT
Working knowledge of NERC Planning Standards and compliance
Excellent planning and organizational skills required
Able to read, interpret, and capture inaccuracies in generation interconnection reports and challenge the utilities/ RTOs accordingly
TARA, PSSE, or Power World modeling experience strongly preferred

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of transmission planning standards and FERC interconnection process is preferred
Established relationships with RTO/utility stakeholders preferred
Previous participation in RTO/utility/state stakeholder working groups preferred

Responsibilities

This position will work closely with the Origination (Greenfield, M&A), Development Ops, Engineering, Pre-Construction, Construction and Asset Management teams to reach interconnection of the renewable projects
Manage interconnexion queue positions and drive grid connection process.
Conduct injection studies and advise on ERIS/NRIS system size prior to the IX request and over the course of the study process
Manage consultants producing interconnection and transmission studies, curtailment and congestion analyses.
Develop standard operating procedures and conduct internal training for load flow and injection studies including QA/QC.
Provide interconnection upgrade scope and cost estimating.
Identify reliability and congestion constraints for FERC jurisdictional projects and develop integrated/alternate solutions to expensive network upgrades.
Support M&A origination team by reviewing interconnection pre-screen reports, System Impact Studies, Facilities Studies and Generator Interconnection Agreements, and identify possible red flags or fatal flaws
Perform site visits for interconnection feasibility and grid infrastructure assessment
Manage a portfolio of utility interconnection applications from initial submission through interconnection approval and modification processes
Develop, or oversee the development by others, the interconnection request documents including the electrical single line, electrical modeling, and other documentation and for RTO and utility scale PV, BESS, and Hybrid projects
Review utility impact studies and upgrade estimates to identify cost or time saving measures
Lead utility and RTO negotiations to minimize network upgrade scope and cost by optimizing system size, proposing alternate or more cost effective HV construction options, implementation of non-wires alternatives, curtailment, and Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET's)
Support Development and Construction project teams in managing the HV scope alignment to the interconnection requirements and assist with coordinating with the RTO/utility until the projects is handed over to Asset Management
Review shop drawings and designs for HV equipment including breakers, transformers, SCADA, and Protection equipment to ensure design meets GIA, RTO, and TO requirements.
Act as in-house SME in one or more RTO regions regarding IX processes including PJM, MISO, SPP, and ERCOT.