Responsibilities:
Provide power system analysis focused on transients & power quality
Contribute to investment proposals to upgrade HVDC & dynamic reactive plant
Ensure the future capability of the National Grid - meaningful mahi for Aotearoa
Collaborate with and learn from technical experts. Support the ongoing renewables evolution of the Power System!
Transpower is New Zealand's National Grid Owner and System Operator. We take a whole-of-industry view of the electricity sector and operate the system on behalf of New Zealand. Our core purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand - a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system.
The electricity sector is undergoing rapid transition with the advent of grid scale inverter-based renewable (IBR) generation and further electrification of industry and households.
The transition will require and place higher reliance on advanced power electronic and reactive power control systems. Grid behaviour is becoming more dynamic, and new frameworks, models, and tools are required to support Transmission System Planning for the transition while maintaining a stable and reliable grid.
About the team:
Transpower's Grid Development division works to support and identify future grid needs over the next 30 years to ensure the health and performance of our assets supports planned or potential investment in generation and significant expected growth in electricity demand.
The Power System Dynamics team provides specialist engineering support and collaborates with other engineering teams across Grid Development, Operations, and Grid Delivery. The team enjoys interesting work, including:
Power system modelling (static and dynamic) and engineering to support the stable long-term operation of the power system as a whole, including new control and monitoring technologies for the grid
Frameworks, tools, modelling, and support for specialist power system analysis, including power system stability, electromagnetic transients, and power quality
Contributing to Grid Upgrade Plans for HVDC and dynamic reactive plant investment proposals.
Reactive Power Control (RPC), HVDC, and Power Electronics engineering and control systems analysis, including modelling, standard designs, requirements specification, design review, and project engineering support for new installations
The opportunity to further your career:
In this role for an experienced Power Systems professional, you will play a key role in providing power system modelling and dynamic analysis to plan the future direction of the Grid. You'll analyse the power system and collaborate with industry experts to ensure it remains stable while we further electrify the NZ economy.
Work over the next 18 months will be fascinating and includes updating and validating Power System models, contributing to Grid upgrade options (which includes simulation and analysis), and performing HVDC control system tuning on our Real Time Simulator.
You'll be involved in the most technically demanding engineering modelling and analysis challenges - which influence what Transpower specifies, procures, installs, and commissions on the electricity grid (projects in size up to $500m). You can be involved in all stages of this process, gaining a wide perspective and experience.
What will you bring?
To join our Power System Dynamics team at this super exciting time you'll need a tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering and well-developed communication skills to enable you to problem solve at pace, collaborate, and deliver a wide range of support to the business.
A self-starter, who is adept at prioritising and managing your own workload, you'll be comfortable explaining complicated technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences. Python scripting ability is advantageous.
To be considered, your CV and cover letter will clearly demonstrate:
7+ years' recent experience in dynamic power system modelling (EMT modelling preferred)
The use of simulation packages such as DIgSILENT, PSS/E, or PSCAD
Experience with FACTS/HVDC control systems engineering
Demonstrated ability to coach and develop engineers' technical and soft skills
CPEng or an international equivalent
Membership of professional affiliations and industry working groups such as: CIGRE, IEEE, IET, or EEA is desirable.
Our Wellington, Auckland, or Christchurch locations may be considered for suitably experienced candidates.
Join us at Transpower:
Aotearoa is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, every day and long into the future.
With over twenty-eight nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share and which we celebrate. We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week, which helps us build and maintain relationships, support learning, deliver outcomes, and sustain our culture. This approach also offers staff the flexibility they need for both work and personal commitments, with adaptable daily start and finish times.
We prioritise employee wellbeing with a range of health and wellness benefits.
Next steps:
If you are ready to join a fun, collaborative, and results focused team who enjoy a varied and full programme of work, please review the position description via our careers site and apply without delay.
Role closes 11th December 2024 however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and initial conversations/interviews will be scheduled prior to the close date to enable us to offer pre-Christmas.
A start date to suit your personal circumstances is available in 2025.
While we are open to international applications, candidates with existing eligibility to work in New Zealand will be reviewed first.
#J-18808-Ljbffr