Senior Grid Engineer

ACCIONA Energía is the biggest 100% renewable energy company with no fossil legacy in the world. With more than 30 years of experience and operations in 20 countries on five continents, ACCIONA Energía offers a wide portfolio of tailored energy solutions so that its corporate and institutional clients can meet their decarbonisation goals. This includes the development, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of renewable power plants -mainly wind and photovoltaic technologies-, energy sales and management and marketing, energy services, self-consumption, electric mobility and new technologies such as storage and green hydrogen. ACCIONA Energía is governed by the most demanding environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.

• To identify and reduce risks associated with the interconnection of renewable power plants (curtailments, planning, and grid code compliance) at the earliest possible stage of project development.

• To lead the connection process so that energization and COD are secured on time.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

Tasks during investment decision process

• Develop technical specifications that define the scope of studies necessary to calculate the annual restrictions/curtailments due to the lack of evacuation capacity in the network (congestion analysis). Responsible for the evaluation, hiring and management of power system consultants.

• Carry out and/or review congestion analysis of the projects of the Acciona Energy portfolio in South Africa. This includes scenarios development and steady-state studies to evaluate the power evacuation capacity of the bus to which the renewable plant under study is expected to be connected. Studies will include power flow analysis (N and N-1) and short-circuit analysis.

• Review of the information provided by Eskom during the grid connection process such as the Cost Estimation Letters, Budget Quote Processes.

• Analysis of the South African Grid Code to raise possible risks or new developments necessary in the technology used.

• Analysis of the South African connection process to ensure energization and COD in the times proposed for the investment.

• Participation in the design of inverters, wind turbines and connection equipment (including reactive power compensation) to ensure grid code compliance and to support in the calculation of the capex of the project.

Tasks during project construction phases

• Development and negotiation with suppliers of WTGs/inverters, PPC and SCADA specification to comply Grid Code and internal requirements.

• Review WTGs/inverters and PPC power factory and PSCAD models provided by OEMs before submission to consultants or ESKOM. This is done developing full wind or solar model and performing internal Due diligence through simulations to demonstrate grid code compliance.

• Manage and review consultant studies needed to obtain energization approval. Support these studies actively doing studies in house and collaborating with OEM modelling team.

• Manage and review Grid code processes to obtain COD. Review and amend reports. Support actively with analysis and simulations and close relationship with WTGs/inverter providers.

General

• Coordination with the Business Development, Power Marketing, Engineering, Planning and Resource departments in ensuring grid connection, energization and COD.

• Ensuring compliance with ACCIONA Energy Health, Safety and Environmental requirements.

• Ensuring compliance with ACCIONA Energy policies and procedures.

Required Skills and Competencies

Degree/Training:

• BSc Engineering (Electrical). MEng in Engineering advantageous.

• Professional Engineer (PrEng) registration with ECSA.

• Must be proficient with Power Factory and have PSCAD experience

Additional:

• Comprehensive understanding of the South African Grid Codes, regulations and standards that relate to renewable energy projects and connecting/operating these generators within the network.

• Knowledge and understanding of the equivalent codes, regulations, and standards in the sub-Saharan region.

• Knowledge of power systems, grid studies, and grid connection of utility-scale renewable energy projects in the sub-Saharan region.

• Experience in negotiating grid connection agreements.

• Experience in performing and reviewing grid feasibility studies

• Experience in interconnection processes (Cost Estimate letters, budget quote process etc.)

• Experience with studies typically done in SA both to energize and obtain COD

• Experience dealing with grid interconnection local consultants and stakeholders (ESKOM, RETEC, OEMs, Contractors etc.)

• Very good communication and problem-solving skills

• Able to work well independently and as part of a team

• Valid driver’s license

• Must be able to travel within South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa and abroad from time to time

As a company that values diversity as a source of talent, we work to foster an inclusive environment that promotes respect, belonging and engagement so that all people can participate on an equal opportunity basis. We invite everyone to apply regardless of origin, circumstances, background or condition.