Operational Load Forecasting Lead (Hybrid)

ERCOT•Taylor, TX

7d•$132,000 - $182,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. JOB SUMMARY Provides analysis and technical support for ERCOT’s operational and planning load forecasting processes to ensure continuing reliable operations of the electric power grid in compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides. Implements appropriate demand and load forecasting modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor forecast performance, input data quality, model outputs, weather and demand conditions in support of system operators. Develops solutions for current or future demand and load forecasting issues, and appropriately reports findings and recommendations. Supports the evaluation and adoption of advanced analytics and emerging forecasting tools to improve forecast quality, situational awareness, and operational decision support. In this role, we are looking for an Operational Load Forecasting Lead with strong operational forecasting judgment, load forecasting experience, and the ability to guide day-to-day forecast decisions. The role is responsible for reviewing, selecting, and approving load forecast models for operational use, communicating the 0-to-11-day operational forecast, and providing daily/intraday load forecast and demand response recommendations to Operations. Strong candidates will have experience with operational load forecasting, weather-driven analytics, forecast uncertainty, model performance, and communicating forecast risks to Operations and management.

Requirements

Requires minimum 8 years job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
Familiarity with wind and solar power generation is preferred.
Experience with load forecasting, weather-driven analytics, statistical or time-series modeling, large datasets, and data analysis tools such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is preferred.
Bachelor’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology required.
A combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides analysis and technical support for ERCOT’s operational and planning load forecasting processes to ensure continuing reliable operations of the electric power grid in compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides.
Implements appropriate demand and load forecasting modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor forecast performance, input data quality, model outputs, weather and demand conditions in support of system operators.
Develops solutions for current or future demand and load forecasting issues, and appropriately reports findings and recommendations.
Supports the evaluation and adoption of advanced analytics and emerging forecasting tools to improve forecast quality, situational awareness, and operational decision support.
Reviews, selects, and approves load forecast models for operational use.
Communicates the 0-to-11-day operational forecast.
Provides daily/intraday load forecast and demand response recommendations to Operations.
Supports ERCOT’s 0-to-11-day hourly and sub-hourly operational load forecast and related planning load forecasting assignments.
Provides technical expertise to the ISO and Load Forecasting team for operational and planning load forecast analysis, including forecast production support, monitoring, and performance review.
Supports the development, testing, implementation, documentation, and training of load forecasting methodologies, models, tools, and procedures.
Supports load forecasting model runs, data quality checks, input/output validation, and historical database updates.
Reviews and analyzes historical load, weather, calendar, and operational event data from ERCOT and other relevant independent sources to validate, maintain, and improve statistical and time-series load forecasting models.
Creates estimates for the ERCOT Control Area annual energy and monthly, daily, hourly, and peak models that involve economic forecasts, historical database updates and maintenance.
Supports development of the ERCOT, state, and sub-area hourly and sub-hourly forecasts for 0 to 11 days.
Develops and enhances demand response models, and other energy models, including plug-in electric vehicles, distributed generation models, and other load modifier models.
Develops and maintains forecast performance metrics, reports, dashboards, and recurring analyses.
Supports analysis used to develop recommendations to Operations on load forecast, demand response, load modifier impacts, forecast uncertainty, and operational forecast risks.
Provides load forecast and demand response recommendations to Operations.
Participates in daily meetings with Operations and Outage Coordination staff to support communication of forecast changes, forecast risks, and operational implications.
May support after-hours forecast review, event analysis, or operational forecast support as assigned.
Serves as a technical subject matter expert for operational and planning load forecasting, model development, validation, and performance analysis.
Works independently on more complex forecast performance and uncertainty analysis, model validation, historical event review, and methodology support.
Supports higher-volume and more complex recurring forecast reviews, reports, dashboards, and analysis requests.
Assists in developing weather-driven forecasting analytics, decision-support tools, processes, and procedures that enhance forecast performance, input data quality, model review, and departmental efficiencies.
Participates in multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments, and support load forecasting studies, methodology changes, and process improvements.
Provides guidance, on-the-job training, mentoring, or oversight to less experienced analysts on load forecasting model runs, data review, forecast performance analysis, and documentation as required.
May support responses to executive and management inquiries and special reporting requests related to operational load forecasting.
May serve as a quality assurance and best practices resource for assigned load forecasting models, forecast performance analysis, reports, dashboards, and operational forecast support processes.
Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices applicable to load forecasting, operational forecasting, and forecast analytics.