Manager, Distribution Modeling and Model Management (Hybrid)

The Manager, Distribution Modeling and Model Management holds a central role within Eversource’s Distribution System Planning Organization, which together with the Transmission System Planning Organization is collectively referred to as System Planning. Reporting directly to the Director of Integrated Energy Planning, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading the development, assurance, maintenance and control of state-of-the-art multi-year distribution system models used by various groups inside and outside of System Planning to ensure safe, reliable interconnection of new customers, and meet performance requirements for current and future needs.

This position is critical to facilitating analytics-based circuit planning within Eversource, and as such, the Manager will work closely with the Reliability and Resiliency Planning Team, Advanced Forecasting, Distribution System Planning, DER Planning, Integrated Energy Planning as well as Distribution Engineering.

In this role, the Manager Distribution Modeling and Model Management is responsible for laying the foundation of the Company’s Circuit Planning Effort by leading the development of the Circuit Needs Report and Automation of power flow applications to support the Circuit Needs Report. The team will develop, maintain and control a central repository for distribution planning models and will enforce processes for making up-to-date models available to various teams as needed, updating central models with future planned/approved upgrades (not yet in GIS) developed by various teams including Distribution System Planning, DER Planning and Distribution Engineering, and

reconciling central planning models containing future upgrades with as-built models extracted via the model Forge process from GIS and other source systems, and develop processes and automations required for the creation of the Circuit Needs Report.

The Manager of Distribution Modeling and Model Management will be collaborating closely with the Managers and Leads for Distribution System Planning, DER Planning, Integrated Energy Planning, Advanced Forecasting, Reliability and Resiliency Planning, as well as Directors, Managers, and Leads in Distribution Engineering, Substation Engineering, Grid Modernization and Asset Management across all three states. In addition, the position potentially interacts with many departments and processes outside the Engineering organization, including but not limited IT, Energy Efficiency, Revenue Forecasting, Regulatory and Policy, Siting and Permitting and others to derive input and support, and provide key deliverables.

Finally, the Manager of Distribution Modeling and Model Management holds a central role within the Company and may be expected to represent the Company as a witness in Rate Cases and cost recovery filings in all three jurisdictions. Furthermore, as new process and cost recovery mechanisms are being established, such as the Capital Investment Projects, the Long-Term System Planning Process, the Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) in MA, the Integrated Distribution Plan (IDP) in NH and the Integrated Distribution System Plan (IDSP) in CT, the successful candidate will be required to provide key support and leadership in those engagements.

Job Description

Essential Functions

• Takes ownership and responsibility for developing and maintaining multi-year distribution planning models and leading modeling process activities, load profiles, and DER dispatch patterns across the tri-state footprint, particularly with respect to Synergi Electric.
• Develops charter and documented processes for distribution modeling working closely with System Planning Managers, Distribution Engineering, and other stakeholders
• Leads development of modeling processes for the consideration of new load additions such as heating electrification, solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, and other new customer load types.
• Works closely with the Distribution Planning and Distribution Engineering managers to establish a process for the management of centralized planning models and controlling check-in and check-out of models and validation and reconciliation of system upgrades to the central models.
• Works with other Distribution Planning and Engineering Managers and Leads to help develop and facilitate best-in-class Circuit Planning Processes.
• Leads the development of an annual Tri- Circuit Needs Report
• Lead and support development of data and processes to enable better technical, regulatory, and financial planning decisions for distribution circuits.
• Engages directly with vendors, partners, and government entities to develop new tools, processes and capabilities, obtain new data sets, support studies, and advance Eversource’s position as a leading utility in distribution modeling and analysis.
• Develops a process for maintaining models and works with Grid Modernization and other teams to ensure accuracy and consistency of data flowing into the models from other departments (e.g., PowerClerk, DERTS, Synergi, CED, PI, GIS, etc.)
• Provides regulatory testimony and expert testimony for all jurisdictions as needed
• Supports filings and other siting/permitting activities as required
• Develops RFIs/RFPs and procures services and technology as needed for modeling and model management needs

General Requirements

• Manages other engineers, contractors or consultants or groups of engineers and their projects. Develops and manages plans and schedules consistent with the overall business plans and/or project specific plans.
• Presents, directs and/or prepares corporate testimony and written responses for rate cases and other local, state or federal regulatory proceedings.
• Integrates cross-functional groups or teams to initiate and implement projects. Works closely with internal and external stakeholders to address needs with appropriate solutions.
• Formulates Eversource technical positions and recommends company policies and standards on various issues within realm of expertise.
• Interfaces with federal, state and local organizations external to Eversource on behalf of or as a representative of Eversource.
• Serves on various Eversource internal committees and task forces to provide information and recommendations to Eversource senior management.
• Represents Eversource with respect to assigned area of responsibilities on various industry and professional society committees and working groups.
• Prepares for Eversource senior management such written material as letters and reports in support of technical or policy positions on various aspects of distribution and DER planning.
• Authorizes contract work relating to the distribution modeling and model management
• Represents the Directors of Distribution System Planning and Integrated Planning as appropriate.
• Provides technical guidance and training for less experienced personnel.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications

Technical Knowledge/Skill

• Possesses excellent knowledge of the overhead and underground electric distribution system, particularly UG network systems, and their requisite planning and modeling requirements
• Detailed knowledge of various DER technologies and their system impacts
• Demonstrated experience with building models for EVs, Solar, Storage, and other DERs
• In-depth knowledge of electric simulation software and power distribution system analysis, including load-flow, dynamics, transient analysis, short-circuit, protection, reliability, and time-series (8760-hour) simulation
• Familiarity with product orientated delivery of solutions to customers
• Capable of working in a multi-cultural environment and driving team performance
• Possess highly developed communication skills, i.e., ability to write clearly and concisely, make presentations before senior management and external bodies, ability to discuss ideas and be persuasive, and be able to work effectively with all levels within Eversource, governmental agencies and other outside organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulatory criteria, industry codes, and standards applicable to the Eversource distribution system.
• Knowledge of accounting and engineering economics applicable to the specific area of the position.
• Ability to provide work under the direction for others, assume authority and be assertive; contribute to the success of the team.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret information and be aware of strategic implications in order to propose decisions with respect to the specific area of the position in solving highly complex problems.
• Ability to grasp concepts, analyze technical information, determine facts, be sensitive to underlying issues, and make thoughtful recommendations/decisions.
• Self-imposes standards of excellence and has the ability to achieve desired results by assuming responsibility and taking accountability.
• Demonstrated ability and initiative to solve and/or anticipate problems and recognize the overall consequences to the business unit.
• Highly confident, self-starting individual with strong personal initiative.

Education

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• MS in Electrical Engineering or related field preferred

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in distribution design, engineering and/or distribution planning and analysis
• Experience in application development in a utility environment or a related business area.
• Supervisory/Management experience is required
• Regulatory experience is preferred

Licenses & Certifications

• N/A

Working Conditions

• Must be available to work emergency storm assignment as required.
• Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
• Must be willing to relocate to the service territory.

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