Power System Engineer

Job Purpose

Great Britain's electricity system is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.

Changes in the energy system over the last decade have resulted in system voltages and stability becoming increasingly challenging to manage. We have seen a continual decrease in minimum demand, reactive power consumption, system inertia and short circuit level. As we move to enable the zero-carbon operation of the system by 2025 and beyond, we need to ensure that we have all the services we need to be able to operate the system with only renewable sources of energy.

The Operability Innovation team is responsible for developing EMT models to represent the wider GB electricity network that is suitable to carry out system analysis for the future network with high penetration of Inverter Based Resources (IBR). Operability Innovation team is also responsible for developing and delivering innovation projects to meet the future operational challenges. Whist doing this, we engage with various teams within ESO and with a wide range of external stakeholders.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements. 

About us

As Great Britain’s electricity system operator (ESO), we sit at the heart of the electricity system, using our outstanding engineering and commercial expertise to balance electricity supply and demand. Ultimately, we keep the electricity flowing directly to where it’s needed, second by second.

Becoming the National Energy System Operator

In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation will be set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As the ESO are today, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Key Accountabilities

As a power system engineer within the Operability Innovation team, you will:

• Assess technical data, models submitted by Users and Transmission Owners (TOs)
• Develop Electro Magnetic Transient (EMT) model to represent the GB system using the model submitted by the Users and TOs.
• Validate the model suitability for different system analysis such as Voltage stability, System oscillations and power quality.
• Provide strategic direction to ESO on ongoing development and implementation of EMT modelling.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of new and innovative tools and solutions required for future system operation.
• Support on delivery of ongoing NIA funded innovation projects.
• Develop and undertake power system analysis to investigate the operability challenges.

About you

What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• General power system knowledge and knowledge on Inverter Based Resources (IBR) and their impacts on power system operation.
• Experience of power system analysis (RMS and EMT analysis).
• Experience in EMT modelling is essential (preferably using PSCAD)
• Experience in RMS analysis using tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSSe
• Knowledge of GB transmission network
• Ability to analyse and present complex issues and understand their impact on National Grid ESO, TOs and the industry.

• Ability to represent ESO at external meetings and conferences.
• Good level of competence in producing written reports and presentations.
• Team player, flexible, willing to go extra mile.
• Willingness to learn and contribute to team deliverables. 
• Demonstrated application of commercial frameworks to the design and/or operation of the transmission system.
• Knowledge of key industry frameworks, standards and codes.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £49,000 – £60,000 per annum – dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being.

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey.
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table.
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

More Information

This role closes on 13th May 2024 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

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We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.