Optimization Engineer I or II - DCC Grid

Duke Energy•Garner, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Optimization Engineer in Duke Energy’s Distribution Control Center (DCC) supports Duke Energy Progress customers through volt/var management and helps develop and implement the organization’s volt/var strategy. The role works with partners including ECC, Transmission, Generation, Planning & Regulatory, and Capacity Planning, and is based in a new facility alongside partner and support teams. The position maintains and advances the volt/var management process through strategy and governance development, peer support and direction for DCC Operators, Grid Techs, and Engineers, systems analysis, and coordination with Capacity Planning Engineers. It serves as the Distribution subject matter expert on volt/var issues and supports the Lead Optimization Engineer and DCC staff in coordinating capacitor and regulator operations, including power factor goals. The engineer also provides technical assistance to field partners and other groups to help maintain a levelized voltage profile. The role supports volt/var direction for Duke Energy Progress’s Distribution System Demand Response (DSDR) peak-shaving tool and continued improvement of the Load Volt/var Management (LVM) module in the Distribution Management System (DMS), including its use for regulatory Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) requirements. It supports development, testing, implementation, and ongoing improvement of Emergency Voltage Reduction (EM1 and EM2) programs, maintaining system readiness and providing technical expertise during peak demand and emergency grid conditions. The engineer is expected to be competent in DMS/LVM functionality and able to integrate and model future Smart Grid projects. The Optimization Engineering team monitors distribution-system optimization in the DMS/DSCADA system, researches issues, identifies corrective actions, develops recommendations, and implements changes to improve DMS operating modes. The team maintains the integrity of critical system data, including synchronization of geographic information between systems, DMS load-allocation accuracy, DER generation modeling in DMS, and Distribution Power Flow configuration. It also works with internal stakeholders to ensure operational programs meet Utility Commission voltage standards and accurately report benefits.

Requirements

For Engineer I: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a master’s degree in Engineering in lieu of a B.S. in Engineering.
For Engineer II: Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a master’s degree in Engineering in lieu of a B.S. in Engineering, plus a minimum of two years of engineering experience.
Must possess all basic/required qualifications to be considered.
Must be able to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
Hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute of the designated Duke Energy facility, no more than 50 miles one way.
Expected to report to the assigned facility as directed, averaging three full workdays per regular workweek; some business units may require field-site or plant visits.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles.
Understanding of engineering research and design practices, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations.
Ability to work with individuals from varied socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Good written and oral communication skills.
Passing grade on the Engineering Fundamentals Exam.
Understanding of basic project-management principles.
Utility-industry experience.
Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, and PI.

Responsibilities

Implement Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and report energy-savings benefits.
Implement peak-shaving voltage reduction (DSDR) and report energy-savings benefits.
Validate smart-grid device controller functionality and ensure compatibility with DMS.
Support DMS upgrades by performing validation testing in test and production environments.
Improve the DMS model by researching inconsistencies between actual measurements and power-flow calculations.
Maintain DMS readiness for peak-shaving operations.
Identify field conditions that affect voltage-reduction capabilities.
Maintain DMS readiness for EM1 and EM2 voltage-reduction operations.
Develop and maintain operating procedures, training materials, and system models supporting voltage-reduction programs.
Identify and address system limitations affecting voltage optimization and emergency voltage-reduction capabilities.
Help develop and implement volt/var strategy and governance, and provide peer support and direction to DCC Operators, Grid Techs, and Engineers.
Perform systems analysis, coordinate related activities with Capacity Planning Engineers, and serve as the Distribution subject matter expert on volt/var issues.
Support and coordinate capacitor and regulator operations, including power-factor goals.
Provide technical assistance to field partners and other groups to help maintain a levelized voltage profile.
Support improvement of the DMS Load Volt/var Management module and its use for regulatory CVR requirements.
Support development, testing, implementation, and continuous improvement of EM1 and EM2 programs, including system readiness and technical expertise during peak demand and emergency grid conditions.
Monitor distribution-system optimization in DMS/DSCADA; research issues, identify corrective actions, recommend improvements, and implement changes to DMS operating modes.
Maintain critical system data integrity, including geographic-information synchronization, DMS load allocation, DER generation modeling, and Distribution Power Flow configuration.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders to help ensure operational programs meet Utility Commission voltage standards and report benefits accurately.