Grid Engineer at Sasol

Short Description / Purpose of Job

• Grid Engineer works with wind, solar and storage development teams and is responsible for identifying optimum grid connection solutions and securing grid connection
• Perform grid connection capacity assessments, advising the team on where it is optimal to connect based on latest TDP and GCCA
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of South African Grid Codes and regulations with key emphasis on South African Grid Code for Renewable Power Plants requirements for connecting and operation of RPP generators on the network
• Quantifying all Grid Related Risk and advise Advocacy team and other internal stake holders respect to forecasting and strategic planning
• Interfacing with Eskom Distribution and Transmission operators during the project development and construction phases

Recruitment Description / Key Accountabilities

• Perform preliminary grid Impact and load flow studies
• Perform Grid Code Compliance Assessments Reports and Review and analyse technology specific(wind/solar/BESS) grid compliance reports
• Conduct grid code compliance planning during development and grid code compliance during O&M
• Manage of the grid connection process with TSO/DSO
• Estimate grid interconnection costs
• Responsible for Preliminary Interconnection design
• Manage and oversee the interface with RETEC through grid code compliance process during development, commissioning, and operation phases
• Apply and obtain CEL, BQs and Connection Agreement as per project timelines and milestones
• Interfacing with Eskom's Grid Access Unit and RETEC and other external stakeholders with respect to grid
• Provide robust information on grid connection and substation costs for project financial models
• Advising on Grid Connection with respects to Scope, and timing and applicable risks
• Optimization of the grid connection strategy and advising on the most technically and commercially viable solutions
• Provide strategic and technical insight with respect to grid connection as per project pipelines
• Perform Grid and technical Due Diligence for projects in development
• Interface with IPP grid and technical teams to clarify and track any grid related activities
• Coordinate with Owner’s Engineer through the project commissioning phase to ensure integration and acceptance of project onto the network
• Support projects in O&M phase to obtain continued grid code compliance
• Where required advice on requirements of specialist and services and drive the procurement process for specialist services
• Advise on project substation grid equipment and layout for planning applications and environmental impact assessments
• Review and approval Renewable Plant Simulation Models with related grid code compliance studies
• Manage delivery of the electrical engineering support on projects electrical BOP and interface with EPCs
   

Formal Education

• University Bachelor’s Degree & BSc/BENG in electrical Engineering or Equivalent & 6+ years’ experience.
• Desired years MSc/MEng in Electrical Engineering & 3+ years’ experience.

Min Experience

• Experience in Electrical Engineering working with Power Systems Design, previous experience in load flows studies, short circuit studies, stability studies
• Working with IPP environment
• Knowledge of DigSilent, PSS®E or PSCAD
• Knowledge of RE grid integration process and design process
• Knowledge of the South African Grid Codes with a focus on the Network Code and Renewable Power Plant Code
• Experience in Grid Integration of Renewable energy, including interconnection designs
• Proficiency and knowledge with Renewable Energy Systems
• Knowledge of Grid Connection Agreements

Competencies

• Business Acumen: An intuitive and applicable understanding of how a company or unit makes money.  Displays a thorough understanding of what drives profitability.  Maintains a market-focused approach to business.  Keeps an overall big picture understanding of the business and its interrelationships enabling a person to make better business decisions.  The ability to make good business judgments and quick decisions in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
• Collaboration: The action of working with someone to produce something.
• Compliance: Understanding the rules, regulations, sanctions and other statutory requirements, guidelines and instructions relating to governing bodies and organizations, both internally and externally.
• Critical reasoning: The action of critically thinking about something in a logical, sensible way and taking all factors into consideration.
• Customer Focus: A continuing focus on the needs and requirements of customers and clients, anticipating their needs, remaining sensitive to customers while performing services for them, responsive to customer needs.
• Problem Solving: Is a step-by-step process of defining a problem, searching for information, and testing a series of solutions until the problem is solved. In involves critical thinking, analysis and persistence.
• Self-Mastery: Takes accountability for driving own growth through developing self-awareness, reflecting, seeking  feedback and self-correcting.