Position Summary
This Senior Grid Innovation Engineer will primarily be supporting the design and deployment of Remote Grid Solutions as part of PG&E's Remote Grid Initiative.
Remote Grid is a new utility service concept using off-grid remote systems for 24/7/365 energy delivery as an alternative to deploying new and/or hardening of existing utility infrastructure (e.g. poles, conductor, etc.) where such an approach is a lower risk and more cost-effective means of serving our customers. The objective of the Remote Grid Initiative is to develop and validate the Remote Grid concept and productize Remote Grid Solutions as standard offerings such that they can be considered alongside of or in lieu of other service arrangements, and/or wildfire risk mitigation activities such as system hardening. A strong applicant will be an organized and motivated consensus builder. This execution-oriented candidate will collaborate with PG&E technical subject matter experts and external vendors to deploy remote grid solutions and drive execution of inflight and planned pilot projects.
This position is intended to be based out of PG&E's General Office complex in downtown San Francisco, CA although flexible work location could be considered. The role will also require occasional travel to the field sites throughout the PG&E service territory.
Job Responsibilities
Technical leadership for planned and in-flight remote grid pilots
- Develop expertise in remote grid system design concepts, including microgrid architecture, sizing and equipment standards used or needed to be developed, for PG&E's future use in Remote Grid development, design and deployment
- Conduct desktop and field technical site evaluations and feasibility assessments to inform pilot site selection and future planning processes
- Lead site specific system sizing and design for individual pilot locations
- Seek and consolidate technical input on civil, IT, communications, protection, primary and/or secondary voltage distribution, and microgrid Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) elements
- Review and comment on EPC contract and technical exhibits in vendor solicitation processes and review vendor deliverables during project execution phases
- Interface with hardware and EPC vendors to contribute to design, sourcing, and project execution plans
- Participate in system commissioning and performance testing activities for trial operations
- Support the development of standard remote grid system designs, processes and procedures as the program evolves from pilot scale to full production deployment and operations
- Document key lessons learned and revise design concepts informed by pilots, targeting development of those concepts into utility standards
Support the Grid Innovation Portfolio
- Provide teammates with technical support on other projects and initiatives within the Grid Innovation portfolio as needed potentially including DER Integration and Microgrid project implementation
- Act as a technical subject matter expert in relevant policy and regulatory discussions, working groups or proceedings (e.g. Rule 21 working groups, Smart Inverter Working Group etc.)
Qualifications
Minimum:
- Bachelor's Degree in engineering or equivalent experience
- 5 years of electric utility related or DER development experience
Desired:
- Master's in Engineering
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
- Technical knowledge of solar PV, inverters, energy storage, conventional generation, microgrid controllers and/or off grid energy systems and data analytics.
- Experience deploying technology to the field at PG&E and understanding of PG&E project management processes
- Experience deploying distributed energy resources with a developer or EPC firm.
- Experience modeling and designing microgrids using tools such as HOMER
- Experience running procurement solicitations for technology solutions and EPC including vendor bid process, technical specification and technology selection.
- Protection System Engineering experience
- Experience leading technology pilots and/or implementations, with a focus on emerging/innovative technology
- Understanding of distribution grid design, system planning/operations engineering practices and tools (e.g., CYME, HOMER or other equivalent software for power system modeling)
- Strong verbal / written communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work in a matrixed environment and a positive execution-oriented mentality
- Ability to be creative, versatile, efficient and productive in the face of ambiguity
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
77 Beale St
San Francisco
California United States
www.pge.com
