Coordinator - Power System Study Engineer

Overview

This role requires experience in conducting power system studies, particularly for substations and grid integration of renewable energy plants. Expertise in renewable technologies such as Solar PV inverters, wind energy, HVDC, and FACTS devices (STATCOM, SVC, SCG) is highly desirable.

Technical Responsibilities

• Conduct grid integration analyses including transient and steady-state stability, voltage stability, harmonic, power quality, LVRT, and fault ride-through studies.
• Perform short circuit analysis and appropriately size switchgear and circuit breakers according to standards.
• Carry out insulation coordination studies covering cable, transformer, and reactor energization, TRV, direct and indirect lightning strike, very fast transient overvoltage (GIS), switching studies, power oscillation damping, and sub-synchronous resonance using software like PSCAD or equivalents.
• Perform arc flash analysis following international standards.
• Execute contingency analyses to inform grid component design.
• Conduct ferro-resonance studies related to transformers and EHV cables.
• Analyze secondary arc current extinction for reliable auto reclosure studies.
• Select surge arresters based on residual voltage and energy levels.

Renewable Energy System Studies

• Perform load flow studies to determine network overloading scenarios linked to renewable energy system capacity additions.
• Identify necessary reactive power support elements for various renewable capacity growth cases.
• Model renewable energy sources such as solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and wind power.
• Assess operational challenges posed by different renewable technologies including solar and wind.
• Verify grid code compliance prior to energizing power plants, considering all relevant operating conditions.

Industrial and General Duties

• Conduct motor acceleration and re-acceleration studies for motor grouping as per process demands.
• Maintain familiarity with IEC, IEEE, DEP, and other industry standards.
• Analyze technological options available in the market to perform system studies comprehensively.
• Assume typical input data parameters according to project specs and standards when data is lacking.
• Interpret and apply country-specific grid codes, with preference towards Middle East regional requirements.
• Recommend optimization opportunities while ensuring grid code compliance.
• Identify potential grid integration challenges and propose solutions.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Design microgrid and battery storage power generation mixes using HOMER or comparable tools.
• Perform protection relay selection and coordination studies including various protection types like overcurrent, earth fault, unit, distance, motor, generator, and grid tie-in protections.
• Model phase shifting transformers.
• Engage with clients and utilities for approval processes related to grid impact studies.
• Experience with HVDC and STATCOM projects, including electromagnetic compatibility studies.

Software Proficiency

• Experience with DIgSILENT, PSS/E, ETAP, PSCAD, HOMER, CYME, MATLAB, MiPower, EMTP-RV, CDEGS, and AVEVA software platforms.