System Planning Engineer

Description:

Title: System Planning Engineer

Reference Number 79074

This System Planning Engineer position will report to the Regional Development Manager and will work within the DSO directorate based in our London office. You will be a Fixed Term Contract (12 - 18 months ) employee.

You will attract a salary of £76,229.00 and a bonus of 3%. This role can also offer blended working after probationary period (6 months) - 3 days in the office and 2 remote

Close Date: 31/05/2024

All applications will be reviewed after the close date.

We also provide the following additional benefits

Annual Leave

Personal Pension Plan - Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)

Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme

Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

Occupational Health support

Switched On - scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products.

Discounted access to sports and social clubs

Employee Assistance Programme.

Job Purpose

The System Planning Engineer delivers UKPNs Regional and Whole System Strategies following Ofgems Whole System Licence Condition.

This will take inputs from and require close collaboration with important partners from UKPNs Network Planning teams, National Grid ESO, National Grid Electricity Transmission, DNOs and IDNOs.

You will engage with important company partners (DSO and DNO), and external partners (primarily NGESO, NGET and bordering DNOs/IDNOs) to help develop Regional Network Development Strategies. This work will compliment external publications such as DFES, DNOA, LTDS and NDP, providing all partners with insights on the future development of regional electricity networks.

You will also help deliver Regional Development Programmes in collaboration with the ESO. These programmes will aim to deliver innovative solutions to reduce the impacts of transmission reinforcement works on customer connection lead times. Successful delivery of these programmes will help unlock £130m of whole system benefits across the RIIO-ED2 period and ensure that DER customers continue to gain access to network capacity.

We ask that you understand all aspects relating to the electricity distribution and transmission system, regulatory requirements, relevant codes and the ability to build working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including BEIS and Ofgem.

Dimensions

The System Planning Engineer will work within a team of engineers and contract managers to deliver UKPNs RIIO-ED2 whole system commitment to drive £130m in whole system benefits.

Principal Accountabilities

Support the Regional Development Manager in delivering the companies whole system strategy, helping UK Power Networks become proactive and forward looking in facilitating the low carbon transition, whilst ensuring ongoing compliance with our regulatory commitments;

Establish a working relationship with the ESO, TO and other GB DNOs/DSOs;

Help deliver UKPNs RIIO-ED2 regulatory commitments relating to whole system,

Delivery of UKPNs whole system and regional strategies observing LC D17/7a;

Produce regional strategies

Plan regional network development strategies at all voltage levels, identifying priority areas for network development and proposed development approaches (e.g. asset reinforcement/replacement, flexibility procurement, non-network smart and whole-system solutions);

Consider wider drivers and their impact on assets at GSP level - P27 compliance, fault level issues, LI, HI, voltage, power quality etc.; and

Produce regional strategy documents.

Partner engagement

Collaborate with all partners during data input collection and strategy production processes;

Run engagement sessions with all relevant company partners to ensure content of regional strategies is communicated and understood by recipients; and

Collaborate with main company partners periodically during their ongoing work to ensure strategies are being delivered as intended.

Review and interpret UKPN and industry datasets and publications, including: LV utilisation reports, system needs outputs (LTDS, NDP), outputs of NOA processes (UKPNs, ESO and neighbouring DNOs), DNO plans / outputs relating to network compliance drivers;

Develop whole system initiatives across distribution and transmission electricity networks, with consideration to future whole energy system efficiencies across the heat and transport sectors; including informing on new / supporting existing Regional Development Programmes;

Produce the business case, engineering analysis, policies and design standards required to operate and improve coordination across the whole electricity system, facilitating the continued deployment of Distributed Energy Resources;

Where required represent UK Power Networks at industry working groups (e.g. ENA, Grid Code) and external engagement that both increase UK Power Network's profile and influence outcomes favourable to UK Power Network's position;

Analyse outputs from industry working groups and translate into action plans for internal implementation; and

Develop, and seek approval of business cases to deliver identified improvements to key whole system and regional development activities;

Nature and Scope

Government policy has led an unprecedented growth in renewable energy installations such as wind farms and solar panels over the last few years (with a contracted pipeline of over 10GW of DER still looking to connect to UKPNs networks). Electricity storage technology is advancing and we expect it to play a major role in the years to come. Electric vehicles prices are reducing and supported by their environmental benefits have the potential to take over London's streets. Smart meters are being rolled out on mass. Our networks are already transforming into platforms that can allow the distributed energy resources such as renewable generation, electricity storage and electric vehicles to consume, export and trade electricity whilst maintaining affordable and reliable electricity supplies.

In this changing environment, the DSO will use a combination of technical and commercial solutions to ensure that the path Net Zero is achieved in the most cost effective and efficient way, offering full transparency of decision making to all partners.

The System Planning Engineer will work with a team of engineers, based at UK Power Networks regional offices in London, Crawley, or Bury St Edmunds who operate across the full geographical region covered by UK Power Networks three licence areas up to and including the interface with National Grid.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Degree in Engineering/Science

Membership of a professional institution such as IET/APM (working towards chartered status)

You should have knowledge of the following topics:

A degree or equivalent experience in power systems engineering or other quantitative discipline;

Experience working in electricity networks business(es), with an understanding of the relevant Distribution Code, Grid Code and CUSC requirements;

Understanding of the GB energy system, including its structure, markets and expected developments;

An in depth understanding of the topology and operational characteristics of distribution networks, and a sound working knowledge of transmission network operation;

Understanding the impact of low carbon technologies (solar, wind, EVs, storage) are having on the distribution and transmission networks;

Detailed knowledge of power system modelling packages, ideally experience with PowerFactory;

Engage with all partners including experience working with senior partners on material decisions;

A high level of business, environmental, safety, financial, and regulatory awareness;

Think 'out-of-the-box' and demonstrate 'big-picture' awareness;

Intuitive with a developed ability to recognise threats and opportunities and who can identify need for change and develop change initiatives