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The Optimization Engineer position in the Distribution Control Center (DCC) is responsible for serving our Duke Energy Progress (DEP) customers through volt/var management. This engineer will be a trailblazer by helping develop and implement our volt/var strategy. They will work with great partners such as ECC, Transmission, Generation, Planning & Regulatory, Capacity Planning, etc. to support an integrated systems approach. This role is based in our brand-new facility with some of our partners and support teams that we work with daily. This position will maintain and advance the volt/var management process by helping develop strategy & governance, providing peer support and direction for Operators, Grid Techs, and Engineers in the DCC. This role will also be responsible for activities related to systems analysis, coordinating related activities with Capacity Planning Engineers, and serve as the Distribution subject matter expert (SME) on volt/var issues. This position provides support to the Lead Optimization Engineer and Grid Techs and Engineers for maintaining and coordinating all capacitor (including power factor goals) and regulator operations. This position will provide technical assistance to our field partners and other groups to help maintain a levelized voltage profile. The Optimization Engineer will support our volt/var direction for DEPβs peak shaving tool (Distribution System Demand Response (DSDR)) and provide technical assistance for the continued improvement of the Load Volt/var Management (LVM) module in the Distribution Management System (DMS) that will also be used to fulfill our regulatory requirements for Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR). This individual will also be competent in DMS/LVM functionality and have the skill sets to integrate and model future Smart Grid projects.
The Optimization Engineering team is responsible for monitoring the optimization of the distribution system within the DMS/DSCADA system. This team researches, identifies corrective actions, develops recommendations, and implements changes to improve the efficiency and results generated by the different DMS modes of operation. This team has the primary responsibility for maintaining the data integrity of critical systems including: (1) synchronization of geographical information between systems, (2) accuracy of load allocation in DMS, (3) modeling the DER generation in DMS, and (4) configuration of Distribution Power Flow (DPF). This team will also interact with various internal stakeholders to ensure our operational programs are maintaining voltage standards, required by the Utility Commission, and reporting benefits accurately.
Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:
Implement Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and report on energy savings benefits
Implement peak shaving voltage reduction (DSDR) and report on energy savings benefits
Validate smart grid device controller functionality and ensure compatibility with DMS
Support DMS upgrades by performing validation testing in both test and production environments
Improve the DMS model by researching inconsistencies between actual measurements and power flow calculations
Maintain the DMS system in a state of readiness for peak-shaving
Identify field conditions that impact voltage reduction capabilities
Optimization Engineer II
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program or PE
Minimum of 2 years of job-related experience
A Master's degree in Engineering will be considered in lieu of the B.S. Engineering degree
Optimization Engineer III
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program or PE
Minimum of 4 years of job-related experience
A Master's degree in Engineering will be considered
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited program. A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering will be considered
Proficient in principles of project management
Proficient in power engineering theories and principles
Proficient in practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations.
Working knowledge of electric system design, construction, reliability, and DCC practices
Experience in the utility industry
Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, and PI by OSIsoft
Professional Engineer (PE) license
Hybrid β Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to the designated Duke Energy facility.
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program or PE
Master's degree in Engineering will be considered
Minimum of 2 years of job-related experience
Travel Requirements
5-15%Posting Expiration Date
Wednesday, July 3, 2024All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.