REPORTS TO: Director of Engineering
SUPERVISES: N/A
Job Summary
The Interconnection Engineer is responsible for managing Interconnection activities for solar and storage projects across Standard Solar’s Distributed Generation portfolio. The primary focus will be to create and manage utility interconnection applications, build relationships with utilities to expedite the interconnection process, negotiate with utilities on interconnection decisions, work with internal teams on technical and financial decisions for interconnections. This position is based in our Rockville MD office, aligned with the current office schedule.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supporting Interconnection application and study process while tracking interconnection reform for applicable power markets
- Lead the preparation of interconnection application (IA) packages and manage and monitor interconnection requests and work closely with transmission providers to manage the interconnection study process.
- Conduct transmission and interconnection risk to identify and mitigate queue process timelines and risks, adequately estimate timing, risk, and cost impacts.
- Interface with and manage transmission and interconnection related third-party engineers and consultants as necessary.
- Negotiate and manage Interconnection Agreements to coordinate with in-house and outside counsel to ensure integration, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and support IA milestones.
- Participate in industry activities and keep abreast of market developments and ongoing changes related to Transmission Planning.
- Coordinate, review and provide technical insight throughout feasibility, system impact, facility and GIA phases of the Project related to steady state, short-circuit, stability studies, proposed interconnection facilities, network, and contingent upgrades.
- Prepare power flow and stability models, interconnection applications, technical specifications, and single line diagrams for renewable projects.
- Negotiate with utilities on interconnection related topics, including scope, timeline, and costs.
- Manage utilities customer portal system daily.
- Review and draft one-line diagrams and site plans for solar and storage systems for interconnection purposes.
- Research and deconstruct utility and ISO tariffs for application submission.
- Assist management in interconnection strategy.
- Manage and communicate interconnection milestone payments and schedule.
- Develop justification of the financial case for interconnection payments.
- Coordinate with internal teams and processes for making payments.
- Inform other technical and non-technical teams on interconnection specifications.
- Provide interconnection and incentive related materials as requested.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; as are interpersonal, facilitation, presentation, organizational follow-up skills.
- Understanding and working familiarity with current AutoCAD and Microsoft Excel software versions, as well as MS Office suite.
- Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in transmission and interconnection planning for renewable projects (solar & battery storage expertise preferred).
- Experience working on interconnection activities throughout the U.S.
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret regulatory documents, transmission studies, engineering reports and interconnection agreements.
- Knowledge of LMP and curtailment analysis using VelocitySuite, SERVM, PROMOD, and SCED is a strong plus.
- Knowledge of utility infrastructure (including transmission and substation engineering) is strongly desired.
- Understand solar and storage project electrical components, including batteries, balance of systems, inverters, and transformers.
- Understand solar and storage project single line diagrams and layouts.
- Understand utility infrastructure and interconnection processes.
- Understand technical aspects of utility interconnection materials.
- Understand implications of Project Development and Project Engineering on interconnection aspects
- State policy, incentives, and tariff implications on interconnection applications in U.S. markets.
POSITION ROUTINELY INTERFACES WITH:
- Customers and the public
- Utility Companies, Public Service Commissions
- Engineers of Record
- Engineering team
- Construction and estimating department.
- All employees, including Senior and Executive Management
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Conducts work in both a field-type environment and in a professional office setting with local travel to jobsites to conduct inspections.
Physical working conditions may involve the following:
- Lifting up-to 50 pounds.
- Extended periods of sitting, walking, standing, reaching, and/or bending.
- Extended periods of reading fine print on a computer or in paper-based format.
NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Routine aspects of this position may require the following non-physical demands:
- Analytical and logical reasoning.
- Problem solving and researching skills.
- Time management and organizational skills. Self-driven and able to work independently with guidance.
- Communication skill within office and remote co-workers
- Full time in-office
- Professional decorum in a diverse, inclusive environment working environment.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
Routine aspects of this position may place the incumbent in situations where they may be susceptible to potential hazards from the following:
- Trips, slips and/or falls while on customer property.
- Chemical abrasives are used in office and kitchen cleaning.
- Lifting items up to 50 pounds in weight.
- Other hazardous conditions on customer premises, not otherwise defined here.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.