Senior Engineer (Battery Energy Storage and Microgrid Project Development)

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

***The location for the candidate to reside is within the Duke Energy service area and within a reasonable commute to a Duke Energy facility (Charlotte NC, Raleigh NC, St. Petersburg FL, Plainfield IN, Cincinnati OH). Other locations can be considered with in the Duke Energy Service Area.***

This position will function under general direction with minimal supervision, providing engineering and technical expertise to support the Business Development team in pursuit of investment opportunities, including acquisitions and greenfield development, with a focus on battery energy storage and microgrid projects. Applicants are expected to have advanced engineering skills related to power system modeling of distribution and/or transmission electric systems, the ability to work independently with guidance limited to unusual or complex projects or issues, and understand primarily battery energy storage systems (BESS) and microgrids but also have familiarity and/or advanced knowledge of wind and solar renewable technology.

This position will:

• Provide engineering support to technical matters throughout the development process with a heavy focus on BESS and microgrid siting analysis and design, power system modeling, and integration of distributed energy technologies in Duke Energy regulated jurisdictions.
• Utilize knowledge of BESS and microgrid project engineering, electric generating facilities, utility interconnection requirements, inverter/plant control, metering schemes, and power system steady state analysis to evaluate, identify, and mitigate commercial risks associated with proposed project designs.
• Provide engineering support throughout detailed design, construction, and commissioning of front-of-the-meter distribution connected and transmission connected energy storage projects.
• Provide inverter based resource (IBR) site model support that includes, but is not limited to, IBR model preparation per project design, IBR model integration and validation, transmission and distribution steady state analysis, and electromagnetic transient (EMT) analysis, for all BESS site.

This position must work collaboratively with key internal business unit stakeholders, including Project Management and Construction (PMC), Supply Chain, Transmission, Distribution, IT, Generation Interconnection, and Health & Safety, among others. The position may also require working with third-party consultants, equipment vendors, system integrators, and Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support greenfield and brownfield development through site screening and selection, system feasibility studies, preliminary design, cost estimates, and overall technical due diligence.
• Perform power system modeling and analysis utilizing tools such as PSSE/TARA, CYME, CYMCAP, PSCAD, and MATLAB. The ideal candidate is expected to have a good understanding and analysis skills of transmission grid power flow, dynamic, and transient stability.
• Perform the battery facility design including, but not limited to, electrical system design, such as power and energy sizing, creating one-line diagrams, and equipment selection. Also, design the physical site layout and site access, while adhering to jurisdictional guidelines and industry best practices.
• Create and submit interconnection requests for distribution and transmission connected projects and analyze study results.
• Provide technical support and analysis of conductor sizing, capacity testing, reactive power studies, and system protection studies.
• Analyze and develop augmentation or overbuild strategies for energy storage projects based on the end-of-life need, as well as overall project considerations.
• Work with Supply Chain on issuing Requests for Proposals (RFP) for EPC and key equipment components.
• Support efforts to optimize BESS systems design and output.
• Develop techno-economic models to support improvement of project return on investment.
• Prepare thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations, and design plans related to projects and analysis of increasing scope and complexity.
• Develop optimization tools specific to Duke Energy energy storage, microgrid, and solar-plus-storage projects.
• Stay informed of technology advancements, market trends, best practices, and relevant guidelines and standards related to energy storage technology.
• Maintain equipment supplier relationships and advise Supply Chain and PMC on energy storage technology trends.
• Travel is required, ~10%.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program. A Master's degree in engineering will be considered in lieu of the B. S. engineering degree.
• Minimum of 6 years of engineering experience (without a Professional Engineer certification) or 5 years of engineering experience (with a Professional Engineer certification).

Key skills and experience:

• Power system modeling utilizing tools such as PSSE/TARA, CYME, PSCAD and MATLAB.
• Coursework in power systems analysis, power electronics, drive/converter controls, and/or fault analysis.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• Masters and/or PhD in engineering
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE)
• Knowledge of generation interconnection (FERC and State)
• Experience using GIS
• Power system transient stability study experience, dynamic study experience, and/or converter control experience
• Experience in the electric utility industry and a demonstrated understanding of distribution and transmission materials, functionality, applications, and concepts.
• Increasingly proficient in practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, preparing and presenting recommendations.
• Demonstrated effective organizational skills.
• Proficient in principles of project management.
• Demonstrated ability to conquer challenging work requirements andachieve business results, regardless of detailed subject knowledge, through the application of technical abilities and problem-solving skills, including effective planning, industry knowledge, organization, management skills, and determination.
• Demonstrated ability to control stressful situations, negotiate positions, provide instruction, training, and direction to others.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams ranging from executive management and key stakeholders to construction contractors and construction personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend, and retain the information conveyed in complex documents.Follow oral and written instruction, convert those instructions to work product, exercise good judgment, and communicate effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and organize data, study and apply policies and procedures, evaluate graphic and/or numerical information, effectively organize and monitor technical work activities, including ability to read and comprehend technical drawings, graphs, maps, and other technical documents.
• Demonstrated ability to make informative and persuasive presentations to peers, leadership, and stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• Virtual Mobility Classification - Work will be performed from a remote location after the onboarding period. However, virtual employees should live within a reasonable commute to a Duke Energy facility.

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Posting Expiration Date

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