Power Settlements Analyst I-II

Northern CA Power Agency•Roseville, CA

About The Position

Responsible for the detailed analysis and verification of operational and financial market results that are produced from the continuous, around-the-clock scheduling coordination activities associated with California’s wholesale electric and natural gas markets and bilateral power transactions. Using various in-house developed custom software applications, the Power Settlements analyst verifies the accuracy of financial results for electrical load costs as well as numerous electric generating facility projects and energy imports that utilize a diverse mix of conventional and renewable energy supply resources to serve electrical demand within the California Independent System Operation (CAISO) Balancing Authority Area (BAA). Performs detailed analysis and confirmation of allocated costs and revenues to NCPA’s Member utilities associated with its Member Power Pool operations and associated power management programs. The Power Settlements Analyst works primarily using Oracle Structured Query Language (SQL) to develop and perform complex, ad hoc queries across different data sources to calculate financial performance with respect to Members’ budgeted costs; produce purchased power cost reports; research to confirm the accurate allocation of costs and revenues among Members; perform validation of five (5) minute interval meter data for load and supply resources, among other assigned duties and responsibilities. Utilizes different computer software applications to verify or correct results. Maintain, follow and develop, where needed, detailed processes and procedures. Ensure correction of any variances and the accurate resettlement of energy charges while maintaining detailed records and meeting performance metrics.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university with an emphasis on quantitative analysis.
Knowledge of spreadsheet software, word processing software, and e-mail skills using Windows/Microsoft-based applications
Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Power BI
Knowledge of California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
database software systems
effective communication skills
Ability to retrieve detailed records and summary-level data from NCPA’s Oracle database systems through the use of Structured Query Language (“SQL”) statements in proprietary software (e.g., SAS, Toad, SQL Developer, Oracle Database Connection (“ODBC”)) and process through proprietary or open-source software programming applications (e.g., SAS, Visual Basic for Applications (“VBA”), R, Python, Excel workbooks)
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret CAISO tariff, NCPA operating agreements and contracts, standard industry purchase power agreements, technical procedures, and governmental regulations
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
Ability to analyze and interpret settlement formulas expressed in summation notation.
Valid California Driver's License and insurance.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of prior experience as a Power Settlements Analyst
Knowledge of California Independent System Operator settlements procedures for tariff services and Metered Subsystem services
NCPA settlements procedures for scheduling coordinator services and the ten-member power pool
California Energy Imbalance Markets
NCPA’s Western (WAPA) contracts California’s Green House Gas rules
CARB renewable energy credits
Knowledge of NCPA settlements procedures for scheduling coordinator services and the ten-member power pool.

Responsibilities

Develop and run database queries to produce various reports to identify and perform analytical research to determine settlement results as well as to determine the cause of settlement variances for the NCPA Pool, California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”), Western Area Power Administration, NCPA Energy Service Providers (“ESP”), and others.
Resolve variances within the guidelines provided by the Power Settlements Supervisor (e.g., informal troubleshooting with balancing authority or other counterparty staff, submission of formal disputes, internal inquiries to front office or information services staff).
Learn and apply continued knowledge growth to work duties, where applicable, with respect to evolving wholesale power industry policies, tariffs, business rules, and procedures.
Validate load and generator meter data received from CAISO or meter management provider with independent data sources. Validate recorder IDs derived from meters and schedules and then reported to the balancing authority.
Validate monthly natural gas and pipeline capacity and transportation bills and invoices associated with thermal generating facilities.
Perform time-sensitive monthly third-party check-out process with counter-parties and validate broker account invoices. Verify transactions in accordance with Risk Management Committee policy and procedures.
Acquire relevant power generation and purchase/sales transaction data for processing participants’ monthly Pool allocation portion of the NCPA All Resources Power Bill. These duties include preparation of the monthly All Resources Bill for forwarding month estimates and prior period true-up adjustments and allocations. Perform annual rerun of the Pool settlements for the participant’s annual budget true-up process.
Validate daily and reconcile monthly ISO settlement statements and invoices for multiple Schedule Coordinator IDs within defined timelines.
Meet or exceed settlement dispute targets. Allocate daily and monthly ISO charges and credits to NCPA ESP clients and Pool Members.
Track GHG (Greenhouse Gas) obligations for thermal resources and energy imported into California.
Assist with testing and implementation of new market initiatives and/or customers/Scheduling Coordination accounts (e.g., ISO, Western, Energy Imbalance Market (“EIM”), Community Choice Energy/Aggregators (“CCE”).
Track and validate Renewable Energy Credits. Serve as NCPA’s Qualified Reporting Entity representative to Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (“WREGIS”) or its successor.
Provide regular feedback to Power Management and Generation Services regarding settlement outcomes.
Serves as subject matter expert, working with Information Services, on Power Settlements application requirements, such as All Resources Bill enhancements, and testing system enhancements in development.
Implements and operates complicated power settlements systems. Prepares complex analytical reports and supporting documentation.
Provides analysis, integration, and implementation of new energy market initiatives and/or customers/Scheduling Coordination accounts (e.g., ISO, Western Energy Imbalance Market (“EIM”), renewable generating resources, Community Choice Energy/Aggregators (“CCE”).
Monitors settlements associated with Renewable Energy Credits and acts as or provides support to NCPA’s Qualified Reporting Entity representative; registers credits on the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (“WREGIS”) or its successor.
Monitors settlements functions of Western capacity and energy allocations, market purchases and sales, Pool transmission activity, and other transactions as they occur; Prepares or reviews power settlement transactions for proper budget classification.
Conducts special studies requiring complex, voluminous, and detailed analysis of power costs and revenues. Recommends operational changes that provide better value to Members and Participants.
Coordinates and participates in the development, analysis, and monitoring of the Agency's power supply budgets. Acts as power settlements representative to other department managers and supervisors in regard to cost summary and budgetary reports.
Assists with the implementation of systems, policies, and procedures and special projects requiring highly technical study and analyses. Recommends changes or modifications to methods or systems as applicable.
Assists with formal budget and other presentations to upper management and the governing body.
Performs special assignments for the Power Settlements Supervisor or others as assigned, including preparation of testimony and exhibits for presentation before state and national regulatory proceedings.