Summary Description:

The Transmission Planning Engineer reports to the Manager of Grid Infrastructure. This position is responsible for providing overall short-term and long-term integrated transmission planning, analysis and forecasting of transmission rates, and collaborating with other NCEC teams to meet reliability, portfolio, and technology goals.

Academic and Trade Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in engineering and being a registered Professional Engineer in North Carolina is preferred.

Work Experience:

Position will be leveled depending upon experience and qualifications (F.E., P.E., advanced degree). Experience within the energy industry and with regulatory exposure is preferred. Entry level candidates may be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Integrated Transmission Planning and Reliability
  • Coordinate with Transmission Providers to ensure that existing and future transmission facilities will provide reliable and economic service to Member EMCs’ delivery points. Assist Member EMC staff with any issues that arise and help resolve obstacles to proposed projects.
  • Develop data and assumptions necessary to determine the cost and physical characteristics of new transmission facilities.
  • Monitor the regulatory requirements for establishing new transmission facilities. Assist in collection of data, analysis, and testimony in support of regulatory proceedings.
  • Monitor developments and trends in transmission planning and other factors (including Inverter Based Resources such as Solar (PV) and Battery Energy Storage (BESS)) as related to NCEC's ability to deliver power to its Member EMCs.
  • Understand the impact of the changes of the utility industry (such as carbon reduction and renewables integration) on NCEC and Member EMCs. Assist with collection of data, analysis, and testimony as needed supporting developments in such changes.
• Regional Planning Processes
  • Participate and monitor state and regional joint transmission planning study activities of SERC, CTPC, SERTP, and other planning groups.
• Transmission Rate, Forecasts, and Budget Activities
  • Coordinate with internal and external parties to analyze Transmission Providers annual formula rate and loss factor process. Develop budget and long-range financial forecasts of transmission rates.
• Regulatory Activities
  • Maintain FERC filed agreements between NCEC and Transmission Providers (e.g., Network Integrated Transmission Service Agreement, Meter Service Agreement, Network / Mutual Operating Agreements).
  • Provide technical expertise policy perspectives and oversight for NCUC and FERC proceedings, fillings, protests, and interventions.
  • Monitor the regulatory requirements for establishing new transmission facilities.
• Compliance
  • Participate in NERC Compliance activities as related to the Transmission Resources job functions including PRC, FAC, and MOD standards. Complete all required SME training and documentation responsibilities for any assigned standards.
• Supporting Roles
  • Collaborate within the Energy Delivery team, and among Power Supply in general to support member needs.
  • Provide technical support to other internal departments to review strategic review of transmission positions and facilitate or complete submission of transmission reservation requests.
  • Assist with the Transmission & Distribution function of the NCEC storm center.
• General
  • Assist with the annual work plan and budget preparations.
  • Create and maintain procedures for department activities.
  • Help train junior staff and interns.
  • Periodically report and present on activities.
  • Maintain professional development.
  • Perform other duties as directed by the Manager, Grid Infrastructure.

Job Knowledge:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of electric system transmission planning and coordination.
• Experience with power flow analysis and system modeling, preferably using TARA, PSS/E, ETAP, Power Flow, WindMil or CYME.
• Thorough understanding of open access transmission tariffs, transmission provider business practices, and related regulatory activities.
• Should understand basic utility rate-making principles and engineering economy principles.
• Detailed working knowledge of personal computers is necessary, including software applications required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Abilities and Skills:

• Anticipate, plan, and coordinate major projects with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Ability to quickly learn new concepts and to prioritize simultaneous tasks to meet deadlines.
• Work effectively in a supportive team environment.
• Communicate effectively at all organizational levels, through written reports, memos, and discussions.

Relationships and Contacts:

• Reports to: Manager, Grid Infrastructure and is accountable to him or her for results achieved.
• Directs: None
• Internal Relationships: Building and maintaining internal relationships within NCEC departments necessary to achieve the purpose of the position and the desired results.
• External Relationships: Maintaining external relationships necessary to achieve the purpose of the position and the desired results. This includes Member EMCs and staff at the Transmission Providers. 

Working Conditions:

Normal office or work at home conditions with occasional overtime, travel to members, and various other locations. NCEMC’s current work schedule is three (3) days in the office and two (2) days remote.

Company Profile: NCEMC (http://ncemcs.com/about/ncemc.htm) is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the nation and is the power supplier for most of the state's member cooperatives.  NCEC acquires the power it sells to its member cooperatives in a variety of ways, including asset ownership and Purchased Power Agreements.

North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment.

About N.C. Assn. of Electric Co-ops

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives (http://ncemcs.com/about/ncemc.htm) is the brand for the family of organizations formed to support the state’s 26 local electric cooperatives, including: North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, the power supplier to many of the electric cooperatives; North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, the cooperatives’ trade association; and Tarheel Electric Membership Association, Inc. (TEMA), a central purchasing and materials-supply cooperative. North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment.

Connections working at N.C. Assn. of Electric Co-ops