Transmission Production Cost Analyst

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

6d•$97,600 - $138,600•Hybrid

About The Position

Join Xcel Energy as a Transmission Production Cost Modeling Analyst, preparing and directing economic transmission planning using PROMOD and other tools to support electric power system planning, customer demand and energy requirements, regulatory filings, customer cost reduction, and corporate budgeting. The role supports regulatory proceedings and information requests related to wholesale energy market plans and the transmission system, develops improved economic transmission planning techniques, and evaluates interregional projects and congestion cost mitigation opportunities. The analyst develops energy market forecasts and production cost modeling inputs; performs transmission modeling and analyses; assesses resource congestion and curtailment; and maintains and verifies transmission and generation system data. The work also includes evaluating regional transmission plans, operating company activities, transmission assets, and system limitations, as well as developing and optimizing programs to process modeling output.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in electrical engineering, economics, mathematics, physics, quantitative analysis, business, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of experience analyzing transmission systems, including 3 years of experience in wholesale energy markets using financial tools or production simulation software.
Advanced quantitative analysis skills and extensive knowledge of the systems and software required for the analyses.

Nice To Haves

Experience with production cost modeling software or equivalent.
Advanced skills using spreadsheet and database software.
Extensive knowledge of the performance, operations, and modeling of assets, preferably Xcel Energy's assets.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing energy market forecasts for electric transmission development to support long-range plans, regulatory filings, and congestion reduction.
Support preparation of direct testimony for regulatory proceedings and work with senior modelers to respond to regulatory agency information requests concerning wholesale energy market plans and transmission system modeling.
Direct independent analyses in response to or in support of regulatory agencies' reviews of Xcel Energy's transmission system.
Develop production cost inputs for transmission modeling and produce electric system production cost uploads for Integrated System Planning.
Prepare forecasts of off-system impacts to congestion and curtailment.
Work with senior modelers on transmission modeling analyses to independently evaluate operating company activities related to transmission assets, regional planning, competitive transmission development, and transmission and environmental issues from a Risk Management perspective.
Prepare independent evaluations of regional transmission plans and initiate analyses of existing and new transmission system limitations.
Perform monthly assessments of resource congestion and curtailment and support responses to regulatory group and state regulatory agency requests and questions.
Investigate and develop techniques to improve economic transmission planning processes.
Maintain and verify input data for transmission production cost modeling, including transmission and generation ratings, flow gates, fuel costs, production capability, and contract terms.
Optimize existing programs and develop new programs to post-process modeling output.