Transmission Planning Engineer (Stability Emphasis)

Overview

This is one of the most exciting and dynamic times in recent history for the power industry, especially in the Southeast. We are experiencing rapid residential and commercial growth in the region, resulting in the need to grow our Transmission Planning team. Energy growth for Georgia alone is projected to be an additional 6,600 MW through 2030! In this role, you’ll get to be part of this unprecedented growth, leveraging leading-edge software modeling tools to develop and grow our region’s energy infrastructure. Check out this link if you want to delve into those details! Georgia Power’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update supports Georgia’s extraordinary economic growth

Our Transmission Planning organization encompasses all aspects of planning the transmission system for our subsidiary retail electric utilities in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. This includes expertise in numerous areas such as steady-state and dynamic power system analysis, power quality and transient analysis, load modeling and base case development, annual transmission expansion plan development, reliability standards compliance, economic development transmission service evaluations, OATT transmission service requests, generator interconnection and designation studies, generation RFP procurements, unit retirement and new build evaluations, regional planning and coordination with external utilities, interface analysis, GMD analysis, transmission policy and regulatory, industry committee leadership, and tools and technology innovation. While each group within transmission planning has a targeted function, we foster an environment of cross-functional teamwork and collaboration and are committed to working with our employees on career and personal development in multiple areas of their interest. As a vertically integrated utility, we also have the unique opportunity to work closely with teams from across our organization in all the major business sectors.

Job Description

This position is best suited for an individual desiring a technical career path responsible for leading and performing power system technical studies in support of various groups within Southern Company. The group provides the ideal environment for power system engineers to pursue advanced academic degrees (e.g., masters and/or PhD.) due to exposure to a wide range of power system subjects, including unique emerging technologies encountered in the modern electric utility industry.

The successful candidate will be part of a team of engineers responsible for planning the bulk transmission system for Georgia Power Company, Alabama Power Company, and Mississippi Power Company, where the Team primary focus is System Stability.

The team is expanding its capabilities and expertise in power systems stability and controls. The successful candidate will be part of a team that performs dynamic simulations for transmission planning studies on the Southern Company bulk power system. These studies involve voltage stability, transient stability, resonance stability, converter-driven stability, underfrequency and undervoltage load shedding, FIDVR, out-of-step protection, generation interconnections (GIs), transmission service requests (TSRs), RFP studies, operational studies, regional planning with neighboring transmission systems, and generator retirements/additions.

The successful candidate will collaborate with multiple groups including other teams within System Planning, Transmission Control Centers, Research and Development, Operating Company Power Delivery and Generation departments, neighboring transmission systems, etc. The position will also be responsible for presenting study results to senior leadership, management, and internal and external customers for information and support.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Perform power system studies (transient stability, electromagnetic transient, etc.).

• Perform dynamic studies to determine protection system requirements for the stability of the power system.

• Represent Southern Company on applicable industry committees in a technical leadership role to provide guidance and ensure Sothern Company’s business needs are being met.

• Engage with equipment manufacturers, national laboratories, research institutions, and other industry groups.

• Evaluate the impacts of increasing levels of BPS-connected IBR and other emerging technologies to BPS reliability.

• Prepare engineering analyses, studies, and reports on BPS stability. Develop guidelines or other technical documents, as needed.

• Collaborate with peers and industry to understand stability impacts of emerging technologies and support the reliable integration of these technologies.

• Review, organize, and analyze study results to ensure product accuracy.

• Coordinate with others in System Planning to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.

• Perform other technical studies, as requested, in support of Southern Company and the Operating Companies.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited institution is required.

• Advanced degree (master’s and/or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, with electric power systems emphasis is a plus.

Work Experience

• Experience in at least one of the following 5 technical areas is required: 1) Performing Transmission Planning stability studies, 2) Performing Transmission Planning steady state studies, 3) Applying Protection and Controls systems, developing protective relay settings, and/or performing short-circuit analysis, 4) Synchronous generator control design, 5) Converter-based resource control design.

• Experience with power system modeling software such as PSCAD, PSS/E, EMTP-RV, CAPE, PowerWorld, PSLF, etc. is a plus.

• General knowledge of transmission planning processes, electrical equipment, power system protection and control, and BPS operations is a plus.

• Experience with computer programming (MATLAB, Visual Basic, Python, C, etc.) related to study automation is a plus.

• Knowledge of industry standards (e.g., IEEE) and NERC Reliability Standards is a plus.

• Experience coordinating or leading teams of technical experts is a plus.

• Knowledge of small signal stability is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

A successful candidate will have:

• The ability to independently analyze and resolve technical problems.

• Strong analytical skills and a drive to solve complex engineering problems.

• The ability to tailor technical communications for diverse audiences including workgroups, partners, and customers.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external (e.g., IEEE, NERC, SERC) meetings and presentations as well as development of papers and technical reports.

• The ability to work well in a team environment (both in-person and virtual).

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and customers.

• Values teamwork and works effectively in a team environment across multiple business functions.

• A mindset that is self-motivated, results-oriented, and innovative.

• Strong attention to detail and motivation for high quality, accuracy, and timeliness.

• Strong time management and organizational skills required to balance multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to deadlines.

• Ability to prioritize work effectively, exercise sound judgment, and accurately complete multiple tasks with limited oversight.

• Knowledge of electrical theory/electrical characteristics of network transmission systems.

• The skills to continually review technical and industry literature to stay abreast of industry changes, technological advances, and new areas of transmission planning business opportunity.

• Strong customer focus.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 8161

Job Category: Engineering

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services