Transmission Planning Engineer I, II, III IV or Senior

Tucson Electric Power•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

Performs technical transmission planning functions including development of power flow base cases, conducting contingency analyses, evaluating analysis results, modeling and evaluating alternative solutions to mitigate identified issues, performing transient stability simulations, ensuring compliance with NERC Planning Standards and WECC System Performance Criteria, and recommending projects based on planning studies. This role involves developing long-range transmission plans, evaluating requirements for EHV and HV transmission and substation facilities, and coordinating with various internal departments and external entities. The position also requires developing and updating transmission planning processes, performing engineering analysis, maintaining expertise in relevant standards and software, and conducting various types of system studies related to generator and transmission interconnections. Additionally, the role involves coordinating with regional entities, providing technical support for renewable energy interconnections, and potentially directing consultants. The engineer will also participate in regional planning activities and support other departments with technical studies and justifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Requires a BS in Electrical Engineering or related educational equivalent.
Combination of education and experience may be considered.
Requires familiarity with and the ability to run power flow and stability programs, Microsoft Office, and other applicable programs
Requires the ability to present study results and recommendations before company and other personnel as well as the ability to write professional technical reports
Ability to travel is required to support the department.
Demonstrated ability to carry out functions of an Engineer l with two (2) or more years of professional experience or MS in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
Demonstrated ability to carry out functions of the Engineer ll with four (4) or more years of professional experience or two (2) or more years of professional experience with an advanced degree.
Demonstrated ability to carry out functions of the Engineer lll with six (6) or more years of professional experience or four (4) or more years of experience with an advanced degree.
Requires 10 or more years of professional experience or eight (8) or more years of professional experience with an advanced engineering degree.

Responsibilities

Develops long range transmission plans in compliance with NERC Planning Standards, WECC System Performance Criteria, and TEP requirements to meet capital budget and applicable regulatory requirements.
Develops and evaluates requirements, specifications, and optimum alternatives for EHV and HV transmission and substation facilities for planning and budgeting purposes.
Coordinates with Engineering, System Control & Reliability, Engineering Project Management, Land & Environmental and other groups to facilitate a clear understanding of transmission system issues, thereby developing technical and economically feasible solutions.
Develops and updates TEP's EHV and HV transmission planning process and guidelines for long term planning.
Performs engineering analysis of future EHV and HV transmission requirements.
Develops and maintains an effective level of expertise and understanding of applicable NERC Planning Standards, WECC System Performance Criteria, and TEP criteria. Ensures that standards, criteria, and requirements are understood and consistently applied.
Develops and maintains an effective level of expertise in the use of power flow, transient and voltage stability, and other related applications and databases as required to perform transmission planning duties.
Performs transmission system Feasibility, System Impact and other studies related to generator and transmission interconnection requests, and/or transmission service requests, in accordance with the TEP or UNSE Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). This activity involves timely coordination of multiple requests with the transmission coordinator and personnel in the Legal, Engineering, System Control & Reliability, Land & Environmental and Engineering Project Management areas.
Directs professional consultants who conduct these studies.
Performs administrative duties associated with maintaining TEP’s generator interconnection cluster.
Coordinates with WECC, customers, and other appropriate entities on development, testing, validation and implementation of FACTS, renewable generator, composite load, and other models for use in power flow, transient stability, voltage stability, and other related applications.
Provides technical support for customer inquiries regarding renewable technology and TEP requirements.
Performs review and commissioning of site-specific grid interconnections for renewable technologies and provides oversight for industry standards and policies to ensure safe and reliable operation on the TEP transmission system.
Conducts or directs professional consultants in studies of individual or cumulative impacts of renewable generation design and operating characteristics on the stable operation of the transmission system.
Provides required data in a timely and accurate manner.
Participates in regional transmission planning activities with WECC, regional and sub-regional planning groups, and other utilities in accordance with applicable FERC regulations.
Provides technical support as necessary for TEP's involvement in Open Access Transmission Tariff.
Develop tools for use within the department to increase efficiency in study processes.
Support Line Siting activities by providing technical studies and project justification.
Provide technical support to Economic Development group working to attract large customers to the Tucson area.
Trains and assists new personnel within the section.
Reports to the Transmission Planning Manager or Transmission Planning Supervisor and performs assignments as requested.
This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.
Develop WECC base cases.
Able to work on part of large study.
Requires close supervision and detailed instructions for tasks and expected results.
Performs planning type studies, including compliance studies and generator interconnection studies.
Able to attend inter-company meetings, including WECC meetings, regional meetings, and interconnection customer meetings to provide TEP updates and report activities.
May have multiple projects assigned at the same time with close supervision.
Performs more complex studies or completes multiple phases of a study.
Able to develop workplans for small projects; serves as user interface with customers and internal departments.
Able to represent Transmission Planning at inter-company meetings and report activities.
Requires some technical guidance and supervision on projects and non-standard project assignments.
Able to develop workplans for larger projects.
Able to perform complex studies with minimal supervision.
Top level individual contributor often integrates multiple phases of a project or performs the most complex tasks.
Direct and provide technical guidance to Transmission Planning Engineers.