Grid Engineer (m/w/d)

Job Description

The Grid Engineer will be based in the Cape Town office and will be a member of the Grid Team. The role entails working across the Project Development Life Cycle (all stages of the GDS) including providing technical support to the Operations and Maintenance teams on all grid-related matters. The Grid Engineer is required to have in depth knowledge of the Transmission Network and Eskom's Grid Access Unit processes. The incumbent must be familiar with the TDP and GCCA and must be able to align development projects/assets to TDP/GCCA execution delivery dates, and in so-doing identify opportunities for further investment and/or divestment. The Grid Engineer will assume a lead Grid role across a project portfolio that spans from Development through to Construction on a number of renewable technologies. The Grid Engineer will ensure that the Plant is Grid Code Compliant and will lead RETEC and Quality of Supply testing inhouse. Mainstream Renewable Power (Mainstream) is a leading independent developer of utility-scale renewable power plants. The company is focused on delivering into operations, a high-quality portfolio of onshore wind, solar PV, and hybrid assets across high-growth markets in South Africa.

What you will do

• Engage OEM's to ascertain if equipment specifications meet Employers Requirements and stringent grid code compliance criteria.
• Approve technical content of any changes made by OEM's and prepare technical specifications of new additions.
• Prepare all documentation for RETEC submission, and liaise with RETEC and the SBO with respect to statutory evaluations.
• Compile, submit, present and manage all aspects relating to exemption requests which must be taken through the Grid Code Advisory Committee.
• Evaluate new products for application and integration based on parameters such as functionality, integrity and performance. This relates to GCC.
• Perform regular tests and assessments to ensure that the equipment operates as per design and that the facility remains compliant to any changes in the Grid Codes.
• Analyse the installed equipment to ensure it stays aligned with modern technologies and implement changes where necessary.
• Support the Construction Team on Utility interactions and grid connection and energisation.
• Audit all Handover documentation relating to Grid Code Compliance.
• Assist the department with NERSA audits.
• Perform Quality of Supply and Grid Code Compliance audits.
• Perform all investigative functions relevant to investigating, providing mitigants, determining the causes of non-compliance and compiling reports and training material where required.
• Monitor the development of technical solutions to solve problems relating to GCC.
• Monitor system performance as per the required standards and make recommendations and implement changes to enhance performance monitoring.
• Ensure that regular monitoring and reporting are carried out in line with the applicable Agreements and Grid Codes.
• Perform Facility Power Curve updates.
• On development projects, conduct Grid assessments and capacity checks, Grid connection solutions incl. grid routes, (assess grid connection points), and Grid works (provision of concept designs, layouts and locations).
• Provide Grid related inputs and scope of work to projects and facilitate external grid studies. Cost grid solutions for input into Financial Modeling and Commercial viability Provide support to the business at large on all grid-related matters, covering the full project lifecycle including Ops and Maintenance.
• Manage Cost Estimate Letter applications and liaising with Eskom.
• Manage Budgets Quotes applications and preliminary engineering studies
• Support the Head of Grid in the review and summarising of national Grid and Transmission Codes (GCCA & TDP) in various new markets and apply learnings to designs and technical discussions.

What we require

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• A minimum of 7 years' experience in Network Planning or as a Grid Engineer/ Grid consultant. Experience in the IPP environment will be advantageous.
• An individual with high energy levels that is able to communicate at all levels with internal and external stakeholders.