Network Planning Analyst jobs in Palmer, AK

Job Description

Summary

The System Planning Analyst supports the power pool settlement processes and dispatch load studies to support power system operation utilizing generation dispatch software. Using knowledge of the power system, this analyst gathers needed information from the dispatch system and other utilities to build and maintain the power system dispatch model and perform power pool settlement review and economic dispatch studies.

Essential Functions

• Maintain power pool settlement model for power pool settlement process.
• Utilize PCI-GenTrader software to analyze system economic dispatch of power pool.
• Perform daily power pool settlement activities for power pool parties.
• Conduct analysis of generation dispatch system to model and track system economic dispatch of a power pool and benchmark the model.
• Develop test scenarios for real-time system generation dispatch and modeling within the reliability and operating constraints of the power system.
• Evaluate the cost and benefit of both existing and proposed economic transactions between Chugach and other power producing entities.
• Review actual operating data and compares with projected values to evaluate the accuracy of projections.
• Monitor hydro reservoir levels and schedules for optimum usage for the power pool.
• Perform economic analysis of complex power purchase and sales agreements. Implement methods for tracking and comparing expected costs and benefits with actual costs and benefits.
• Provide input and/or participate in development and implementation of company five-year work plan, long-range plan, and business plan.
• Assist in the development and review of corporation long range plans, power sales purchase agreements, and gas purchase agreements.
• Make recommendations to Senior Manager of Energy Resources relating to improvements in system economic dispatch of Power Pool for inclusion in the Association's Long Range Plan and Five Year Work Plan.
• Provide analysis and planning support to System Control department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

• Manager, Energy Resources: reports to and receives direction and guidance.
• Manager, G&T System Control: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding generation dispatch and power pool system management.
• Executive VP, Fuel & Corporate Planning: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding power & gas management activities.
• VP, Control & Comm., SCADA: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding generation dispatch and power pool system management SCADA systems management.
• Supervisor, System Operations: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding system operational decisions.
• Dispatchers, System Control: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding system operational decisions.
• Manager, Fuel Supply & Operations: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding power & gas dispatch activities.
• System Control Studies Engineer: Coordinates and consults with; provides technical assistance to, and receives technical assistance from, regarding generation dispatch and power pool system management models.

External

• Bargaining Unit Representatives
• Other Railbelt Utilities: Coordination of data exchange for generation dispatch analysis.
• Vendors: Works with vendors in the maintenance and upgrading of various system modeling tools.

Competencies

• Must have a working knowledge of the operation of utility systems.
• Must be knowledgeable in operation of power system generation and associated modelling.
• Must have experience with production costing models and unit commitment software.
• Must have the skills to analyze system problems from an electrical, economic and reliability viewpoint, and recommend action; under real time constraints and in stressful situations.
• Must have the ability to work with both bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit department personnel to implement and evaluate system operations and recommend improvements.
• Must be willing and able to innovate new and improved methods of system operation; provide economic analysis and justification of such methods and recommend method for implementation.
• To communicate both orally and in writing, extremely technical information to essentially non-technical individuals in clear and concise terms.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any supervisory responsibility. This position supports the Manager, G&T System Control; VP, Control and Communications, SCADA; and the Manager, Fuel Supply & Operations.

Work Environment

Most work is performed in an office/Power Control Center environment. Occasional travel is required. Some irregular hours are to be expected after normal business hours, on weekends and/or holidays to resolve system problems, as required.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Business, Engineering or similar degree required. Additional specialized training in Power system modeling, particularly in system economic dispatch analysis, required.

Experience

Minimum of one (1) year of experience modeling and performing system economic dispatch and analysis is required. Experience in applications programming, database management, and reporting development, and data analysis tools. Experience working in a union environment preferred.

Company Description

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

Chugach's corporate vision:
Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's corporate mission:
We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's corporate values:
Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity
It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law.
Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.

Benefits

Health Benefits

• Medical & RX
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Telemedicine

Financial Security

• 401K Plan
• Defined Benefit (Pension)
• Retirement Investment services
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Chugach Electric
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Flex Spending Account (Health, Limited Use, Dependent Care)

Work, Life, Health

• 20 days vacation for first year of employment
• 9 Paid Holidays
• 2 Float Holidays & 1 Birthday Holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• MetLife Will Preparation