Senior Transmission Planning Engineer

Independent Electricity System Operator

2d•CA$118,456 - CA$169,208•Hybrid

About The Position

The IESO is committed to ensuring Ontario’s electricity system meets the province’s needs today and into the future. The Transmission Planning team is responsible for initiating and supporting the implementation of transmission investments at the provincial, regional, and local levels, as well as distribution-connected non-wire alternatives that enhance system performance, increase market efficiency, and/or reduce costs for customers. Their power system plans form the basis for capital investment decisions, regulatory approvals, and the development of commercial agreements for new transmission facilities and supply resources. They produce assessments required by NPCC and NERC to demonstrate that their power system plans meet reliability standards and provide transmission interface limits for resource adequacy assessments and to facilitate resource procurement activities. The team continually develops and evolves its planning processes to align with future procurement activities, stakeholder expectations, and other IESO processes. The Senior Transmission Planning Engineer will carry out transmission planning activities, generally working in one of the following areas: bulk transmission planning, regional planning, compliance assessments/reporting and standards development, planning process development, or assessments to support resource procurement activities. This is a unionized position within the Power System Development Business Unit.

Requirements

Engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, mathematics, and computer science to conduct engineering, economic, or analytical studies related to the management and control of the bulk power system.
Knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports.
Knowledge of how to deliver presentations on technical topics.
Completion of an engineering/applied sciences degree from an accredited university or equivalent education.
A license to practice professional engineering in Ontario and competence in the field of electrical engineering.
Experience in power system planning or operation.
Experience related to the functions and characteristics of power system components.
Experience with analytical studies and the application of computer techniques to solve power system problems.
Experience in power system planning, operation, practices, and policies.
Experience with electric energy, capacity, ancillary service, and transmission rights market operations, practices, and policies.
Experience with Market Rules.
Over 8 years, and up to and including 10 years, of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

The use of the Title “Senior Transmission Planning Engineer” shall be only used by incumbents who are PEO license holders that are competent in the field of electrical engineering. The use of the Title “Senior Transmission Planning Specialist” shall be used by incumbents who are not PEO license holders or PEO license holders who are not competent in the field of electrical engineering.

Responsibilities

Lead and/or contribute to the development of plans and planning products related to the electricity transmission system, including bulk transmission plans, regional plans (e.g., IRRPs), and/or special purpose plans for reliable performance.
Project manage the development of plans and planning products, including documenting objectives, outcomes, deliverables, milestones, and schedules.
Maintain familiarity with tools and models for transmission system assessments and analysis (e.g., load flow simulation, economic evaluation, risk evaluation, electricity resource modeling), understanding their capabilities and limitations.
Participate in economic evaluation of options for meeting reliability needs as a transmission planning subject matter expert.
Guide and/or contribute to the development and continuous improvement of planning processes, procedures, tools, and assumptions, including process documentation, quality assurance, and quality control.
Participate in stakeholder engagements, community engagements, and consultations on planning matters, occasionally acting as a subject matter expert.
Act as the subject matter expert for transmission planning matters in support of IESO activities, including energy efficiency, electricity markets, resource development, and sector innovation.
Develop and maintain key external relationships with LDCs, transmitters, First Nations representatives, government, Ontario Energy Board staff, and other sector agencies, acting as a representative of Power System Planning.
Research and monitor development of municipal, regional, provincial, and/or federal laws and policies that may influence electricity transmission needs, solutions, or opportunities.
Lead the preparation of, prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of, reports, briefs, written submissions, and/or information related to transmission plans and planning matters.
Provide mentoring, advice, and guidance to more junior or less experienced staff, and provide quality control and review of work and products.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of state-of-the-art transmission technologies and best practices in transmission planning and integrated resource planning.
Participate in, or lead, the IESO’s participation in external industry forums.
Perform NERC/NPCC/Market Rules compliance activities, including preparing and delivering evidence of compliance, participating in reliability audits, and acting as a subject matter expert for Market Participant compliance.
Act as a subject matter expert to other departments and/or business units on matters related to transmission planning.
Manage the work of external consultants acquired to support planning activities.
Complete engineering studies for bulk transmission plans, regional plans, NERC planning assessments, NPCC Area Transmission Reviews, planning and reliability outlooks, and ad hoc requests, including steady-state and transient assessments.
Assess the load meeting capability of existing local networks to establish regional needs for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
Assess the load meeting capability of system reinforcement options to establish their technical performance for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
Assess transfer capability of the Ontario and Interconnected bulk system to ensure system adequacy and security, and in support of resource acquisitions.
Assess the transfer capability of bulk system reinforcement options to establish their technical performance for bulk system plans.
Perform technical feasibility studies for proponents to assess the reliability impact of proposed power system facilities and connections to the IESO-controlled grid.
Perform assessments to determine the reliability of planned protection systems and programs.
Perform other specialized studies in the planning time horizon.
Participate in joint planning studies with neighbors and in other inter-Area activities, including NERC/NPCC committees and conducting joint studies of the interconnected system.
Participate in the standards development process as a subject matter expert for the IESO, including standard drafting, implementation, and recommending new or modified business processes.
Prepare documentation and deliver presentations pertaining to engineering analysis.
Sign or sign and seal documents as a P.Eng, taking professional responsibility for one’s own work.
On occasion, sign or sign and seal documents as a P.Eng for peer review, or to assume professional engineering responsibility for engineering work performed by unlicensed staff.
Perform other duties as required.