Load Forecasting & Research Analyst/Sr Load Forecasting & Research Analyst

Berkshire Hathaway Energy•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

This is a multi-level posting. Candidates may be considered for any of the posted levels, depending on their level of experience and depth of expertise. The load forecasting and research analyst performs research and analysis for the purpose of load forecasting, load research, energy efficiency, cost of service, rate design, general rate cases and other regulatory purposes. This position supports the energy transition to net zero carbon goals by developing load forecast scenarios that consider electrification and other factors that may impact future timing of demand and energy. This position is responsible for maintaining a statistically valid load research sample. This position is responsible for providing volumetric revenue forecasts for electric and gas customers for use in the company’s annual financial planning process. The senior load forecasting and research analyst leads research and analysis for the purpose of load forecasting, load research, energy efficiency, cost of service, rate design, general rate cases and other regulatory purposes. This position supports the energy transition to net zero carbon goals by developing load forecast scenarios that consider electrification and other factors that may impact future timing of demand and energy. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining a statistically valid load research sample. This position is responsible for developing volumetric revenue forecasts for electric and gas customers for use in the company’s annual financial planning process.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher degree in engineering, economics, statistics, mathematics or related field or equivalent work experience.
Five years of related experience, including five years of forecasting, econometric modeling and/or statistical analysis experience.
Advanced skills at financial forecasting and financial analysis to assist in ongoing variance analysis and evaluations of the forecasted results.
Advanced technical software skills.
Demonstrated skills to create and utilize financial models, skills to create and utilize database applications and skills at spreadsheet applications and techniques.
Effective oral and written communication skills to explain the variances and changes in the forecast.
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills to improve upon scenarios of the forecast.
Good research skills, including Internet research required to identify and assemble appropriate economic data.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
Excellent computing skills, including Excel, Access, PowerPoint and VisualBasic.
Seven or more years of related experience, with advanced financial forecasting and financial analysis skills to lead the department with minimal supervision in financial forecasting, financial analysis, ongoing variance analysis and evaluations of the forecasted results, and development and presentation of load forecast scenarios utilized in resource planning.
The senior analyst will have advanced technical software skills.
The position also requires financial forecasting and financial analysis skills to create and maintain financial models for ongoing variance analysis and evaluations of the forecasted results.
The analyst must be able to utilize database and spreadsheet applications and apply technical software skills to statistical software.
The drive to stay abreast of industry trends to develop load forecast scenarios utilized in regulatory and resource planning settings that include external constituents that include state commissions and interveners, and to apply these trends to develop load growth scenarios that consider electrification, electric vehicle, distributed generation, and other load growth trends.

Responsibilities

Development of the peak demand forecast, electric and gas customer forecasts and the electric sales forecast.
Assembly and validation of historical information, the assessment and integration of the appropriate economic variables and the economic modeling of these inputs.
Presenting and communicating the forecast results to senior management and other leaders of the organization.
Provide ongoing review of forecasts for validation purposes and development of modeling improvements.
Monthly evaluations of the forecasted results compared to the actual results for the month.
Ongoing enhancements to the forecasting process.
Remain fully trained and educated on the capabilities and upgrades of the modeling software.
Directs the development of load forecast scenarios that consider electrification and other factors in support of the energy transition to net zero carbon emissions goals and provides other technical analytical support for other gas and electric regulatory pricing functions.
Stay abreast of regional and nationwide economic trends and developments and provide economic information as requested.
Maintain an ongoing assessment of the current economic trends.
Ongoing evaluation of weather data used for weather normalization purposes.
Compile forecast filings with the state commissions and responses to data requests.
Provides load research support and testimony to energy efficiency for energy efficiency plan filing.
Extracts, compiles and analyzes interval data for verification of data and responds to load research questions and requests from energy efficiency.
Provide technical input to assist in development of project planning.
Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
Directs the development of load forecast scenarios for resource planning that consider electrification and other factors in support of the energy transition to net zero carbon emissions goals.
Provides technical support for incorporation of those forecasts into resource planning models.
Leads the development of forecast filings with MISO and with state regulatory agencies and responds to data request regarding those filings and technical aspects of resource planning forecasts.
Provides other technical analytical support to other gas and electric regulatory pricing functions. and responds to data requests and commission inquiries regarding those forecasts.
Provide ongoing review of forecasts to support variance analysis reviews performed for ongoing review of Company’s financial performance, and for validation purposes and development of modeling improvements.
Conducts research of regional and nationwide economic trends and developments and provide economic information as requested.
Leads load research and supports testimony for energy efficiency plan filing.
Presents with oral and written methods to communicate the forecast results to senior management and other leaders of the organization.