Lead Power Systems Modelling Engineer

Job DescriptionLead Network Modelling Engineer​Location: Shiremoor or Castleford​Directorate: Engineering ​Job Ref No: R6639 Do you want to help power your career and be part of an evolving energy industry?​​​Northern Powergrid, as the company responsible for powering the homes of 8 million customers across 3.9 million and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is at the forefront of delivering a smarter, more flexible power network that meets the region’s needs now and in the future.This is an exciting opportunity to work at the leading edge in the electricity industry, at a time when it is on the path to net zero. As Lead Network Modelling Engineer, you will be the product owner and subject matter expert for our power system modelling software. You will be accountable for model management, modelling policy and supporting and developing engineers to maximise the value extracted from power system models. This role is key to our region’s journey to net zero and achieving 10 out of 10 in supporting our customers.​​You will work alongside like-minded people in the Smart Grid Development Team. The team’s vision is to develop and implement new solutions and power system policy enhancements to create a smarter, more flexible network that is central to the region’s journey to net zero.​​Along with a competitive salary of between £70,784 - £82,512, we also offer great benefits such as:​Enrolment into our double-matched pension scheme ​25 days holiday (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays ​Personal transport (company car) provision ​Technical incentive scheme​Agile working ​​In addition to the standard application form, candidates should produce a covering letter demonstrating why they wish to join the team, how they believe they can best contribute towards the challenges we face in developing a smarter, more flexible network, and how their skills/experience meet the requirements of the role.​​We are excited to hear from candidates with a passion for our company and the energy industry and a desire to succeed. Apply now and we’ll be in touch.Key Responsibilities ​Power system model owner – accountable for ensuring NPg has up-to-date and accurate power system models; ranging from low voltage (i.e., VisNet Design), high voltage, extra high voltage and 132 kV (i.e., DIgSILENT PowerFactory).​Power system modelling subject matter expert – technical expert on the data inputs to, functionality of and outputs from the power system models. You will be the ‘go-to person’ for guidance on difficult issues and complex studies. This will involve developing your own capabilities to cover functionality not currently deployed within NPg, such as stability studies.​Model management – maintenance and updating of power system models, either directly or via management and oversight of other NPg staff / contractors as appropriate. You will have accountability for the update process and ownership of master files; whereby updates include; connection schemes, reinforcement schemes and demand and generation background in-line with data sets from System Forecasting (including third party data, such as Week 42 submissions from ESO).​Study support – Support engineers for new or novel study requirements for which a precedent does not exist, or where issues are found in completing a study (e.g., where the model does not converge, and this is escalated for your support). Where required, you will undertake study work to develop your own capability whilst also ensuring that training of others and documentation of methodologies takes place.​Developing others – Lead and coordinate training and mentoring of model users, using third parties where required. ​Quality assurance – Introduce a quality assurance framework to ensure modelling outputs are efficiently achieved, are high quality and are consistent with policy.​Modelling interface management – Lead the definition and management of interfaces between the power system models with other teams, tools, systems and processes to ensure model management is optimised and that outputs from the models supports the needs of the business. For example, ensuring that the interface with Information Systems is optimised to maximise the quality and timeliness of input data from systems such as spatial.​Modelling policy – Development and maintenance of modelling-related policy and code of practices.​Own the ‘engineering’ relationship with modelling software vendors – Accountable for the ‘engineering’ relationship with our software partners, and in doing so; maximise your understanding of the existing software and its’ capabilities, any functional deficiencies and the appropriate mitigations or ‘work-arounds’, the vendor roadmap for future development, and ultimately, ensuring we maximise the efficiency and value extracted from our power system models.​Represent NPg in external forums and maintain overview of industry developments – Supporting others as required in working groups (e.g., in situations where modelling expertise is required) and leading on behalf of NPg where required in external forums to ensure key developments are understood and shaped in an appropriate direction.​Modelling continuous improvements and roadmap – lead engagement across key stakeholders to identify areas for, and subsequent implementation of continuous improvement activities. You will develop, own and implement a long-term roadmap for power system modelling improvements.Key Competencies ​Competent user of power system modelling software (e.g., DIgSILENT PowerFactory, or equivalent) ​Comprehensive technical knowledge of the power system, its design, operation and the components of the system​Excellent understanding of relevant standards, policies and engineering recommendations (e.g., EREC G74 (IEC60909), G5, G99, ACE49)​Developing relationships within the team, across the wider business and externally with stakeholders​Establishing the modelling policy direction and demonstrating technical leadership​Proven track record of driving continuous improvement​Essential Qualifications and Experience​Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent)​Several years of relevant experience in a technical engineering role​Ability to operate power system software​In-depth knowledge of power system design and operation​Knowledge of electrical distribution equipment​Electrical (power system) design experience​Desirable Qualifications and Experience​Chartered Engineer (or working towards)​Experience of using legacy Northern Powergrid tools; DINIS, IPSA, DEBUT and the various low voltage spreadsheets​Understanding of protection and earthing systems​EMT and stability analysis experience​Experience of developing and studying harmonic models​DPL and Python coding, programming skills to automate power system assessment and calculation processes using network modelling software ​​Visit northernpowergrid.com/careers to find out more about this and other career opportunities.​​​Posted: 14 Jun 2024​Closing date for applications: 14 Jul 2024​