Engineer/Senior Engineer, System Planning

at  AESO

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.
Job Description
The System Planning team is looking for an Engineer/Senior Engineer to join the team. System Planning is responsible for delivering AESO’s long-term transmission planning mandate. We identify needed bulk and regional transmission enhancements to ensure the reliability of the power system and to enable the transformation of the industry in Alberta. As an Engineer/Senior Engineer, you will play a key role in enabling this transformation by navigating the regulatory framework to make sound planning decisions, playing a leading role in developing new system planning framework, and collaborating with other functional groups within the AESO and external entities to advance strategic AESO initiatives.

In this role, your accountabilities include:

• Coordinate and actively participate in the development of a new cost-benefit framework to enable needed economic transmission expansion .
• Develop new processes and improve system production cost simulation assessments to support the new transmission planning framework.
• Provide risk-based planning advice considering engineering assessments, AESO’s legal/regulatory framework, economics (cost-benefit), connection projects, project management, and stakeholder inputs.
• Conduct power system analyses in compliance with the Alberta Reliability Planning Criteria to optimize the transmission system.
• Interpret and communicate analytical results to inform AESO’s transmission plan in accordance with AESO’s public interest mandate to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate on strategic AESO initiatives with various internal teams to evolve ISO Tariff, market evolution, transmission services procurements, and resource/load integration.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the latest developments and trends in the industry (ex. energy storage and Transmission Regulation).

Signs you will enjoy working on this team:

• You are comfortable with change and innovation and thrive in a dynamic environment.
• You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals collaboratively and enjoy building strong constructive relationships.
• You have a strong desire to continuously learn and take on new challenges.
• You enjoy engaging conversations on policies and approaches to implement them.
• You have an aptitude for identifying efficiencies and improvements, sharing ideas and enjoy getting others onboard.

A combination of these experiences and qualities will support your success in this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a focus on Electrical Engineering.
• 7 or more years of experience in the electric utility industry, with a focus on the areas of transmission planning, regulatory/compliance, and engineering economics will support success in this role.
• Registered with APEGA as a Professional Engineer or eligibility to register.
• Proven communication skills in articulating and presenting technical concepts and results in a concise and easy-to-understand manner to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Good understanding of Alberta’s legal regulatory framework, AESO Tariff, Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS), Participant Involvement Program (PIP), and economic concepts and project costing.
• Capability to effectively manage cross functional initiatives.
• Ability to balance different priorities and risks while maintaining focus on achieving business goals.

Application deadline: September 22, 2024
If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.
The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the “AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.
As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act

In this role, your accountabilities include:

• Coordinate and actively participate in the development of a new cost-benefit framework to enable needed economic transmission expansion .
• Develop new processes and improve system production cost simulation assessments to support the new transmission planning framework.
• Provide risk-based planning advice considering engineering assessments, AESO’s legal/regulatory framework, economics (cost-benefit), connection projects, project management, and stakeholder inputs.
• Conduct power system analyses in compliance with the Alberta Reliability Planning Criteria to optimize the transmission system.
• Interpret and communicate analytical results to inform AESO’s transmission plan in accordance with AESO’s public interest mandate to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate on strategic AESO initiatives with various internal teams to evolve ISO Tariff, market evolution, transmission services procurements, and resource/load integration.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the latest developments and trends in the industry (ex. energy storage and Transmission Regulation)

A combination of these experiences and qualities will support your success in this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a focus on Electrical Engineering.
• 7 or more years of experience in the electric utility industry, with a focus on the areas of transmission planning, regulatory/compliance, and engineering economics will support success in this role.
• Registered with APEGA as a Professional Engineer or eligibility to register.
• Proven communication skills in articulating and presenting technical concepts and results in a concise and easy-to-understand manner to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Good understanding of Alberta’s legal regulatory framework, AESO Tariff, Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS), Participant Involvement Program (PIP), and economic concepts and project costing.
• Capability to effectively manage cross functional initiatives.
• Ability to balance different priorities and risks while maintaining focus on achieving business goals