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.
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.
