Interconnection Manager

AES US•San Francisco, CA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Grid Integration group is responsible for siting and interconnecting the AES Clean Energy portfolio to transmission systems across the United States. The group consists of an Interconnection team, High Voltage Engineering team, SCADA/Communications team, and a Transmission Strategy team. AES Clean Energy is seeking an experienced interconnection professional to manage the WECC interconnection team and all facets of the interconnection process within. The primary responsibilities of this role are: Manage the WECC Interconnection Engineers and support their personal and professional development; strategic analysis of the interconnection procedures, queue and distribution system in a given RTO/ISO to formulate and steer greenfield project siting. Manage the team in preparation of interconnection requests through to implementing the Interconnection Agreement with the most favorable terms possible. The Manager, Interconnection (WECC) is the team lead for all WECC interconnection requests and works multi-functionally with the broader regional Development and Execution teams to optimize the position throughout the project lifecycle. The preferred candidate is well suited for leadership responsibilities and is expected to manage interconnection engineers and analysts on the interconnection team. Additional responsibilities during the execution stage of the projects includes monitoring the progress of required system upgrades and identifying creative mitigation solutions when needed within the applicable tariff and process. The Manager, Interconnection (WECC) will lead the WECC Interconnection team in all interconnection activities through the full life cycle of development and execution of projects. The position will both lead and support as needed by internal partners leading to the successful execution of both new and acquired projects across the United States. Some travel required (~20%).

Requirements

Bachelor´s in Electrical Engineering or related field.
5+ years’ work history in renewable or traditional energy development, or transmission planning.
Ability to analyze power flow and system impact studies for interconnection of utility scale solar, wind, and battery storage generating facilities.
Familiarity with the interconnection request package and all items required for submission.
Familiarity with transmission systems and transmission expansion plans in US.
Open Access Transmission Tariffs and Generator Interconnection Procedures for assigned region(s).
Project management experience.

Nice To Haves

Previous employment or experience working with a utility TRO/ISO, or consultants providing services within the targeted footprint is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the WECC Interconnection Engineers and support their personal and professional development.
Strategic analysis of the interconnection procedures, queue and distribution system in a given RTO/ISO to formulate and steer greenfield project siting.
Manage the team in preparation of interconnection requests through to implementing the Interconnection Agreement with the most favorable terms possible.
Lead the WECC Interconnection team in all interconnection activities through the full life cycle of development and execution of projects.
Support greenfield development: review system analysis, provide estimated budget and schedule of study process, managing internal and external parties on preparation of technical materials, provide viability feedback to management to support any financial approvals needed.
Present and support new ideas and opportunities for new strategic endeavors.
Support the DG team’s review and analysis of utility report scope of work, cost, and schedule; help identify cost or time saving alternatives, tracking and reporting efficiencies throughout the process, help negotiate and complete interconnection agreements and engineering and procurement agreements as needed to keep projects on schedule.
Lead and/or assist internal groups to complete results required by transmission owners to construct interconnection facilities, integrate schedules of TO into AES Clean Energy construction schedule.
Manage direct reports in the day to day tasks required to manage the interconnection process.
Create and manage day to day task tracking tools to assist in project management.
Create and present periodic reports to management and other internal teams.
Provide and assist with alternative process efficiencies when needed.
Monitor the progress of required system upgrades and identifying creative mitigation solutions when needed within the applicable tariff and process.