East Kentucky Power Cooperative

Power Supply Planner/Senior Power Supply Planner

Winchester, KY

Full time

Hybrid

Utilities

About This Job

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We're leaders in environmental stewardship and we're committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

No Expiration Date

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply early as we will review and consider candidates as they are received.

Hybrid Remote Schedule

This role has the option to be a blend of remote and onsite work if department and business needs allow and with approval from direct supervision. Our hybrid remote work schedule combines three (3) days on premises with up to two (2) days remote.

Considering Different Levels

The following levels are open for consideration: entry level and senior level.

Both skill levels are being considered and the person chosen for the position will be placed in the level in which they are experienced. Please see below for description of both levels.

Key Roles

Entry Level

This position is responsible for short-term portfolio optimization activities for the purpose of serving the power supply needs of the Cooperative in an economic manner within PJM.

Senior Level

This position is responsible for short- and mid-term portfolio optimization, including well-defined hedge positions for the next twenty-four months.

Key Responsibilities

Entry Level:

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Responsible for all aspects of power portfolio optimization including hedging load cost exposure with all generation, power purchased, market or other acceptable hedges in the short-term (up to 30 days).

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Runs daily load forecast and models expected hedge position to determine net portfolio position.

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Runs market cost studies and coordinates with ACES Power Marketing¿s (APM) dispatch modeling effort to facilitate short-term portfolio direction.

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Makes recommendations and economic decisions regarding power purchases and/or sales for the portfolio.

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Prepares short-term portfolio and market performance reports for management.

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Aggressively manages portfolio including the combustion turbine fleet to provide the best system economics within the next 30 day time frame.

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Manages contracts with current counterparties to provide access to market opportunities.

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Prepares and directs optimization plans to meet all energy obligations.

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Gathers market data from APM to integrate into models and systems.

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Coordinates with APM to ensure short-term trades are executed timely, transmission is established, and energy is tagged as expected.

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Utilizes price forecasts to prepare estimates of natural gas usage; provides data to APM and other systems.

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Provides information to PJM on a daily basis.

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Determines prices for the real-time pricing Demand Side Management (DSM) program, including estimating system lambda, applying reliability and marginal cost of transmission adders.

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Assists in preparing various reports, such as unit outage cost estimates, etc.

•

Assists with billing and settlement problems when necessary.

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

Senior Level

•

Responsible for all aspects of power portfolio optimization including hedging load cost exposure with all generation, power purchase, market, or other acceptable hedge in the short- and mid-term (up to twenty-four months) while maximizing the value of the EKPC assets within the PJM markets.

•

Runs daily load forecast and models expected hedge position to determine net portfolio position.

•

Runs market cost and production cost studies to facilitate portfolio optimization; coordinates with and directs ACES Power Marketing¿s (APM) actions to take to implement portfolio operations.

•

Makes recommendations and economic decisions regarding power purchases and/or sales for the portfolio.

•

Prepares short- and mid-term portfolio and market performance reports for management.

•

Works with the MOC engineer on fuel and market hedging strategies and implementation.

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Aggressively manages portfolio including the combustion turbine fleet to provide the best system economics within the next twenty-four month period.

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Ensures all offers into the PJM auctions (capacity and energy) meet PJM compliance requirements and will pass the examination of the Internal Market Monitor (IMM).

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Works with plant management on outage scheduling and plant testing over the next 24 months to minimize the cost impact to the cooperative.

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Develops and submits bids into PJM capacity auctions, PJM day-ahead markets, and PJM outage reporting.

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Assists with development and modifications to the market interaction system and internal systems for implementation of offers into the markets and for more accurate reporting.

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Directs and leads negotiations with current and potential counterparties to provide access to market opportunities.

•

Prepares and directs optimization plans to meet all energy obligations.

•

Gathers market data from APM to integrate into models and systems.

•

Coordinates with APM to ensure timely short- and mid-term trade execution, transmission is established, and energy is tagged as expected.

•

Utilizes price forecasts to prepare estimates of natural gas usage; provides data to APM and other systems.

•

Determines prices for the real-time pricing Demand Side Management (DSM) program, including estimating system lambda, applying reliability and marginal cost of transmission adders.

•

Initiates and assists in preparing various reports, such as unit outage cost estimates, etc.

•

Assists with billing and settlement problems when necessary.

•

Provides information and direction for outage insurance carrier.

•

Provides information to PJM on a daily basis.

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Requirements

Entry Level

Education and Certifications / Licenses:

•

Associate¿s degree in a related area required. Bachelor¿s degree or higher preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

•

PJM System Operator Certification is required.

•

National Electric Reliability Council (NERC) System Operator Certification helpful.

Experience:

•

Five (5) years of related experience required.

•

Experience in energy marketing, scheduling, or trading background preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

•

An understanding of automatic general control (AGC), area control error (ACE), unit governor relationship, and economic operation concepts required.

•

Must have working knowledge of algebra, geometry, and the basic principles of electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC currents, and the fundamentals of power flow.

•

Strong understanding of energy efficiency, Demand Side Management, and direct load control.

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Understanding of ISO/RTO dual settlement markets, seams issues, and physical power flows into and out of the ISO environment.

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Knowledge of RSG/OR charges on a day-ahead and real-time basis and risks associated with each.

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Basic knowledge of power plant operations, both fossil fuel and hydro, is preferred.

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Portfolio theory understanding and ability to manage a complex set of variables including physical and financial transmission, basis risks, and managing a portfolio in a structured and traditional market design.

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Knowledge of system control concepts, dispatching techniques, and area control error helpful.

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Ability to understand operating risks and recognize abnormal operating conditions.

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Detailed knowledge of the interconnection agreements with other utilities helpful.

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Understanding of financial hedging in power markets and practical applications.

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Proficient computer skills, specifically database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.

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Strong analytical, quantitative, and economic evaluation skills.

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Ability to analyze and evaluate technical and financial data.

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Ability to work independently, self-starter.

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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Ability to gain working knowledge and understand how multiple factors and various power supply scenarios may impact forecasted plans.

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Ability to act quickly and decisively under a variety of circumstances and deadlines.

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Demonstrates ability to make responsible and accurate decisions/recommendations on power supply sales or purchases.

Senior Level

Education and Certifications / Licenses:

•

Associate¿s degree in a related area required. Bachelor¿s degree or higher preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

•

PJM System Operator Certification is required.

•

National Electric Reliability Council (NERC) System Operator Certification is required.

Experience:

•

Seven (7) years of related experience required.

•

Experience in energy marketing, scheduling, or trading background preferred.

•

Experience in power plant operations and maintenance.

Skills and Abilities:

•

An understanding of automatic general control (AGC), area control error (ACE), unit governor relationship, and economic operation concepts required.

•

Must have working knowledge of algebra, geometry, and the basic principles of electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC currents, and the fundamentals of power flow.

•

Strong understanding of energy efficiency, demand side management, and direct load control.

•

Understanding of ISO/RTO dual settlement markets, seams issues, and physical power flows into and out of the ISO environment.

•

Knowledge of RSG/OR charges on a day-ahead and real-time basis and risks associated with each.

•

Basic knowledge of power plant operations, both fossil fuel and hydro, is preferred.

•

Knowledge of system control concepts, dispatching techniques, and area control error helpful.

•

Ability to understand operating risks and recognize abnormal operating conditions.