Director, Interconnection

Summary

Join Convergent Energy and Power as the Director of Interconnection, a fully remote role (or hybrid in NYC), leading interconnection activities from a market and commercial perspective. You will manage a team of engineers, improve interconnection processes, and act as the primary contact with various organizations. Responsibilities include strategic planning, project management, consultant management, and power flow analysis. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, 8+ years of experience in generation interconnection, and expertise in specific markets and software. Convergent offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k, and more.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• Minimum of 8+ years of industry experience and expertise in generation interconnection and transmission planning, acquired at a large infrastructure developer, electric utility, transmission provider, or energy consultancy
• Experience navigating markets such as CAISO, PJM, SPP, ISO-NE, or other RTOs
• Firm understanding of AC/DC fundamentals including understanding of three-phase Power systems
• Experience with power system software packages such as PSS/e, TARA, Aspen One-Liner
• Power flow modeling and analysis experience
• Ability to comprehend complex Interconnection study reports and communicate project technical and financial impacts
• Familiarity with RTO and utility tariffs, business practices, protocols, procedures, and guidelines
• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of U.S. power markets, with a focus on solar and battery energy storage interconnections
• Extensive knowledge of storage and solar project development, utilities, interconnection, permitting, and contracting
• Outstanding research and analytical abilities, adept at synthesizing information and communicating conclusions and recommendations clearly and effectively
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with self-motivation, drive, and a proactive approach to creative problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Manage and track the project portfolio of interconnection-related studies and tasks, schedules, and follow-up requirements
• Lead a team of 4-8 Interconnection Engineers, manage their KPIs, growth plans
• Lead continuous improvement of interconnection processes and standards
• Act as the lead point of contact with independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, transmission service providers, and utilities regarding all interconnection activities
• Lead the information exchange process as it relates to interconnection applications between the pre-construction team, engineering team, and development team to ensure schedule milestones are met
• Identify optimal strategies for state and regional project interconnections based on system impacts and available grid/hosting capacity; develop the best plan for new markets team
• Lead coordination of the completion of all interconnection applications with internal stakeholders, external consultants, and utilities.  Lead the review, analysis, and interpretation of interconnection results
• Identify, contract, and manage consultants as necessary to support the interconnection process including application deliverables and studies in addition to engineering review of utility schedules and cost estimates
• Evaluate interconnection system cost upgrades and work with all stakeholders on necessary changes to the project development schedule
• Perform (internally or externally) power flow simulation analyses to forecast future system conditions to support optimal siting, IA, PPA, financing, and M&A processes
• Provide interconnection information for bid proposals
• Work with the Development team to identify issues that could impact site selection by reviewing the interconnection queue in utility/ISO regions and provide feedback to the Development team
• Issue disputes and manage dispute resolution as needed
• Understand interconnection process, timelines, and cost structures for key utilities and ISO's and communicate requirements with the Development, Pre-Construction, and Engineering teams
• Communicate on a regular basis with manager and team members, including in-person meetings at the NYC headquarters as needed to foster strong collaboration amongst team

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree specialized in Electrical Engineering
• PE is preferred
• In-depth understanding of the protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeder, and major substation equipment

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer days
• 401K with an employer safe harbor match
• Special Vendor Discounts on programs for: Identity theft and fraud prevention