Lead Engineer - Battery Energy Storage and Microgrid Project Development

Duke Energy Corporation•Cincinnati, OH

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will function under general direction with minimal supervision, providing engineering and technical expertise to support the technical evaluation of the major equipment being procured for the future Duke Energy Battery fleet. Duke Energy has a robust development and execution pipeline of multiple GWs of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and this position will directly support the technologies procured for these projects. Applicants are expected to have the ability to work independently with limited guidance. Applicants are also expected to understand battery energy storage systems (BESS), but also have familiarity and/or advanced knowledge of traditional synchronous generation, solar, or wind. This position will: Provide engineering support on technical matters throughout the development process with a heavy focus on BESS equipment technical approval. This position will support the technical evaluation to add equipment to our Approved Vendor List (AVL) for BESS project. Support factory visits and Factory Acceptance Testing of BESS equipment Coordinate with Regulated & Renewable Energy (RRE), Supply Chain, Energy Storage Development (ESD) on the BESS AVL Utilize knowledge of BESS and microgrid project engineering, electric generating facilities, utility interconnection requirements, inverter/plant control, metering schemes, and power system steady state analysis to evaluate, identify, and mitigate commercial risks associated with proposed project designs. Support the Development and Execution Energy Storage Engineering teams. Provide engineering support through detailed design, construction, and commissioning of front-of-the-meter distribution connected and transmission connected energy storage projects. This position must work collaboratively with external suppliers and key internal business unit stakeholders, including RRE, Project Management and Construction (PMC), Supply Chain, Transmission, Distribution, IT, Generation Interconnection, and Health & Safety, among others. The position may also require working with third-party consultants, system integrators, and Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program. A Master's degree in engineering will be considered in lieu of the B. S. engineering degree.
Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience.
Registration as a Professional Engineer
Power system modeling utilizing tools such as PSSE/TARA, CYME, PSCAD and MATLAB.
Coursework in power systems analysis, power electronics, drive/converter controls, and/or fault analysis.
IEEE, NFPA, and UL code experience

Nice To Haves

Masters and/or PhD in engineering
Generation Engineering Support Experience (IBR & Synchronous)
Experience with factory visits, FAT testing, supplier evaluations
Experience in the electric utility industry and a demonstrated understanding of generation plant design.
Knowledge of generation interconnection (FERC and State)
Power system transient stability study experience, dynamic study experience, and/or converter control experience
Increasingly proficient in practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, preparing and presenting recommendations.
Demonstrated effective organizational skills.
Proficient in principles of project management.
Demonstrated ability to conquer challenging work requirements and achieve business results, regardless of detailed subject knowledge, through the application of technical abilities and problem-solving skills, including effective planning, industry knowledge, organization, management skills, and determination.
Demonstrated ability to control stressful situations, negotiate positions, provide instruction, training, and direction to others.
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams ranging from executive management and key stakeholders to construction contractors and construction personnel.
Demonstrated ability to collect and organize data, study and apply policies and procedures, evaluate graphic and/or numerical information, effectively organize and monitor technical work activities, including ability to read and comprehend technical drawings, graphs, maps, and other technical documents.

Responsibilities

Work with Supply Chain on issuing Requests for Proposals (RFP) for EPC and key equipment components.
Ownership of the BESS AVL.
Developing supplier relationships.
Support efforts to optimize BESS systems design and output.
Support evaluation of appropriate spare parts and lifecycle analysis of BESS equipment.
Support greenfield and brownfield development through site screening and selection, system feasibility studies, preliminary design, cost estimates, and overall technical due diligence.
Perform the battery facility design including, but not limited to, electrical system design, such as power and energy sizing, creating one-line diagrams, and equipment selection. Also, design the physical site layout and site access, while adhering to jurisdictional guidelines and industry best practices.
Provide technical support and analysis of conductor sizing, capacity testing, reactive power studies, and system protection studies.
Analyze and develop augmentation or overbuild strategies for energy storage projects based on the end-of-life need, as well as overall project considerations.
Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations, and design plans related to projects and analysis of increasing scope and complexity.
Develop optimization tools specific to Duke Energy energy storage, microgrid, and solar-plus-storage projects.
Stay informed of technology advancements, market trends, best practices, and relevant guidelines and standards related to energy storage technology.
Maintain equipment supplier relationships and advise RRE, Supply Chain, and PMC on energy storage technology trends.
Regular travel to supplier manufacturing facilities including both domestic and international locations