AddressAbout the role
Great Britain's electricity system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.
This is an amazing opportunity to work on GB Power Systems analysis and future electricity forecasts, as well as contributing towards net zero in the UK!
The main purpose of the Power Systems Engineer will be to:
• Provide operational plans to the National Control to allow them to operate the system in real time.
• Assess the magnitude and type of constraints on the network, and to optimise the system, in order to ensure that the consumer impact of outages on the transmission network is minimised.
This role is based in Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.
About us
As Great Britain’s electricity system operator (ESO), we sit at the heart of the electricity system, using our outstanding engineering and commercial expertise to balance electricity supply and demand. Ultimately, we , keep the electricity flowing directly to where it’s needed, second by second.
Becoming the Future System Operator
In 2021, government and Ofgem jointly consulted on proposals for an expert, impartial Future System Operator (FSO) with responsibilities across both the electricity and gas systems, to drive progress towards net zero while maintaining energy security and minimising costs for consumers. In October 2023, the Energy Act 2023 was passed, legislating for this Future System Operator to be created.
The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new Future System Operator. We will be taking on additional roles across vectors and sectors to create an organisation with a whole energy system mindset; enabling us to identify solutions to our energy system that are more sustainable, secure, and affordable for all.
The FSO will be set up as a public corporation with operational independence from government – bringing parties together to support optimised decision making and action. As now, it will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements. It is anticipated that the new organisation will be up and running in 2024.
The time to act on climate change is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.
About you
What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:
• Good understanding of NGESO operations and the GB electricity industry structure.
• Good communication skills and being capable of listening and analysing information.
• Decision making experience with the capability to work within tight timescales and ability to make accurate assessments of multiple interdependent operational activities whilst maintaining high performance.
• Experience in analysing Power Systems and working on future electricity forecasts.
What you'll get
A competitive salary between £43000 – £71000 – dependent on experience and capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.
Key Accountabilities
• Work in detailed technical analysis and derivation of system outage plans from year ahead, to day ahead, to provide access to the electricity transmission system.
• Manage system security and constraint costs using bespoke NGESO systems such as OLTA (offline transmission analyser) and iEMS (integrated electricity management system).
• Quantify the transmission system requirement and risks for locational energy contracts and trades.
• Manage changes to system access requirements and determine the impact on system constraints.
• Produce comprehensive operational plans to the National Control Centre for them to use in real-time, including a daily detailed, secured and cost-effective system configuration for enactment.
• Maintain effective customer interfaces and deal promptly with interface liaison issues. Represent National Grid at internal and external liaison meetings to discuss operational interface issues and planning co-ordination.
• Determine high-voltage, direct-current Interconnector capabilities on a daily and weekly basis.
• Identify solutions proactively to system access issues. Develop strategies to minimise transmission constraint risk and costs.
• Ensure system security and business risks are minimised during commissioning of new high voltage assets on the Power System.
• Ensure that action is taken to reduce constraint transfers to the assessed limit.
• Monitor wind and solar forecast to ensure that outage placement has been optimised.
• Communicate any complex outage combinations to the ENCC to allow the necessary actions to be taken prior to real time.
• Seek cost minimisation via the STCP 11-4 mechanism and via the Customer/Consumer Value Opportunities metrics.
• Monitor the impact of outage impact during the winter months to ensure that the national margin position is not eroded.
• Communicate any instances of insecurity and inoperability to regional teams, in order for action to be taken to optimise the asset outage plans.
• Adhere to the principles of the STCP 11-1 process in ‘Delivery’ timescales and deliver quality operational plans.
• Minimise the instances of fail to fly outages and produce operational learning notes when they do occur.
What you'll need
• Ability to convey complex information to a wide range of audiences both technical and non-technical.
• Ability to use offline Power System analysis tools.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office tools such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
More information
This role closes on 28th Jan 2024 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held in the w.c. 5h Feb 2024.
We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
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