Grid Connection Engineer

Shape the Future of Renewable Energy with Risen Energy Australia!

Position:Grid Connection Engineer (R0 Experience)

Company: Risen Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd

Location: Brisbane Office

Position Overview:

As a Grid Connection Engineer at Risen Energy Australia, you will be responsible for managing Grid Connection activities for the company's renewable energy projects. This role involves developing Grid Connection project implementation plans, collaborating with consultants on connection studies and Grid Connection applications, and supporting various aspects of project development. Your expertise developing Connection Applications including supporting the development of the GPS, navigating the complexities of Grid Connections and ensuring compliance with AEMO and NSP requirements will be vital to our success.

Key Responsibilities:

Grid Connection:

• Manage the AEMO and NSP Grid Connection process for REA's projects.

• Preliminary analysis of transmission network data to assess connection locations and capacity for early-stage developments.

• Ensure Connection Applications comply with AEMO and NSP requirement.

Technical Liaison:

• Collaborate with internal teams, including project managers and developers, to meet Grid Connection requirements. Offer Grid Connection support to other REA teams, helping them understand the requirements, costs, and timeframes associated with Grid Connection.

• Establish and maintain communications with external stakeholders such as Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), network service providers, OEM,

regulatory bodies, and technical consultants throughout the Grid Connection process.

• Lead the GPS and CA meetings with REA’S consultants.

• Take the lead in generator registration, conduct loss factor analysis, and assess the impacts of market rule changes.

• Provide technical guidance for design inputs concerning Grid Connection, substation, and collector network aspects of projects.

• Assist the operations team in managing plant changeovers and resolving technical non-conformances and other issues.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Stay updated with the latest R0 regulations and industry standards.

• Ensure all Grid Connection activities adhere to R0 and other relevant regulations.

Project Support:

• Provide technical support throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility studies to commissioning.

• Address Grid Connection issues that may arise during project execution.

• Support the procurement processes involved in negotiating generator facility contracts.

• Contribute to the development of effective business processes, systems, standards, and templates for efficient project delivery.

• Play a role in fostering a highly motivated work culture that encourages innovation and maintains a reputation for delivering high-quality projects to the market.

Documentation:

• Develop scope-of-work documents and participate in the review and selection of Generator Performance Standard (GPS) and Connection Application (CA) consultants.

• Contribute to the generator technology assessment and OEM selection process.

• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation related to Grid Connection applications, analyses, and compliance.

• Ensure all documentation is up-to-date and complies with company and regulatory standards.

Qualifications & Skills:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years' work experience, preferably in a similar role within an energy company.

• Experience in connecting projects to the NEM through the AEMO connections process.

• Experience in connection application, generator registration, and negotiation of generator performance standards.

• Experience in commissioning generating assets, including Hold Point testing.

• Prior Grid Connection Engineering experience on the NEM (solar farm and battery energy storage systems (BESS) or hybrid plant registration will be highly valued).

• Generator and power systems modeling experience – solar farm and BESS modeling highly valued with PSSE and/or PSCAD and/or Power Factory.

• Experience using PSS/E and/or PSCAD and/or PowerFactory simulation tools.

• Proven track record as a Grid Connection Engineer, specifically with R0 regulations.

Technical Expertise:

• Strong understanding of AEMO’s Grid Connection processes, renewable generator plant SLDs, generator operating and performance requirements

• A good understanding of the process’s that individual transmission and distribution NSPs use for Grid Connection.

• A good understanding of Project Management methodologies (PMBOK or Prince2).

• Strong understanding of the National Electricity Market and the National Electricity Rules.

• A solid understanding of the generator connection process in the National Electricity Market.

• A strong understanding of the regulatory framework imposed by the NER.

• Highly effective technical report writing skills with the ability to present findings clearly.

• Registration with Engineers Australia (or eligibility for registration).

Communication:

• Highly effective communication skills to liaise with internal and external customers and sound negotiation and influencing skills.

Problem-Solving:

• Ability to identify and efficiently resolve Grid Connection challenges.

• The ability to assess changes and identify opportunities within the NEM.

• The ability to prioritise effectively to arrive at the optimal solution.

Teamwork:

• Demonstrable ability to work as a team member and actively promote office harmony.

• Self-motivation with a strong desire and ability to acquire both technical and business knowledge/skills.

Education:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.