Senior Future Networks Engineer

at  Gas Networks Ireland

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.
Almost 725,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.
The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.
Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045. Its “Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network” envisions transforming the existing gas network into two separate systems carrying 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane and the other to green hydrogen, with the potential to carry approximately 30% biomethane and 70% green hydrogen, as well as offering significant long term energy export opportunities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proven, Business, Economics or Engineering qualification with a minimum of 7 years’ experience.
• Technical ability to translate outputs from forecasting models and dissemination of results, involving presenting data to Senior Management, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)alongside other key industry stakeholders.
• Possess excellent analytical skills (including a high degree of proficiency in Microsoft Excel), ability to identify and analyse problems, identify potential improvements, propose and implement solutions and translate into presentations.
• Experience in use of Energy Modelling software (e.g. Plexos) to model gas and electricity market behaviour is considered to be an advantage.
• Proven ability to create and develop good working relationships is key to this role and ability to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals, coupled with the ability to gain commitment from others.
• Excellent reporting and presentation skills are a key requirement for the position.
• Ability to set up ongoing procedures to collect and review information as needed.
• Proactively identifying new areas of learning, using newly gained knowledge, skills on the job and benchmarking forecasting in collaboration with industry peers.
• Ability to set own high standards of performance and delivering desired results.
• You are comfortable with change and have a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvements and efficiency.
• You are comfortable with making and taking appropriate decisions.
  Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie
  The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 21st of February 2025.
  Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A DIVERSE AND INLUSIVE PLACE OF WORK AND HAVE A ROBUST STRATEGY AND FRAMEWORK CALLED IBELONG TO ENABLE THIS. WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND THROUGH OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS WE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE APPLICATIONS FROM INTERESTED AND SUITABLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF GENDER, AGE, RACIAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN, MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRAVELER COMMUNITY, RELIGION OR BELIEFS, FAMILY OR CIVIL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION/GENDER IDENTITY OR DISABILITY.

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THE ROLE:

The Asset Management function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for optimising the return from the asset portfolio. Asset Management identify, plan and develop investment programmes while achieving an optimal balance between customer requirements, asset efficiency and risk. Asset Management considers the financial and regulatory effects of the proposed investment strategies. The Future Networks team within Asset Management is responsible for the long-term development of both the transmission and distribution gas network. Future Networks is responsible for development of the Network ensuring operational flexibility is sustained to maximise performance of the Network.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leading the short- and medium-term demand forecasting function within the Future Networks team for Gas Networks Ireland.
• Lead and champion Gas Networks Ireland’s Network Development Plan (NDP) including leading engagement with key external and internal stakeholders in relation to public consultation, presentations on (evolving) demand scenarios, industry forums and alignment with GNI Strategy in terms of ten year outlook
• Lead the annual consultation and meetings with shippers, producers, storage operators, power station developers and neighbouring Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) for electricity, gas and heat networks.
• Lead the National and Regional Risk Assessments for Security of Supply for Republic of Ireland.
• Supervise the production of demand forecasting models, taking into account relevant factors, e.g. historical demand, new connections, weather and fuel price data and the organisation of regular meetings with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Forecasting the future sources of supply to meet the projected demand by entry point, including Moffat, Corrib, other future entry points and renewable gases such as Biomethane and Hydrogen.
• Leading and developing multiple demand and supply scenarios to meet commercial and business requirements.
• Manage the implementation of any software technologies related to demand forecasting, and support rollout of new software to other areas of the business where required.
• Supporting the tariff process and corporate planning through the preparation of annual forecasts.
• Support opportunities for Connecting Europe Facility for Projects of Common Interest and/or Projects of Mutual Interest, inclusive of applications, project management, reporting, attending PCI/PMI meetings (this may require attendance in Brussels from time to time).
• Represent Gas Networks Ireland and liaise with European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) and inform via questionnaire’s Irelands position on gas demand growth to inform the wider EU Ten Year Network Development Plan for gas.
• Develop and manage KPI’s for demand forecasting, manage independent validation of the forecasting process through external service providers.
• Documenting and updating the detailed procedures of the Network Forecasting Function.
• Providing ongoing status and raising risks and issues as appropriate to the Network Forecasting Manager.
• Performing any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.