Reliability Engineer

ability Engineer ensures that the Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordinator Area, and regional boundaries are sufficiently monitored to detect and respond to problems crossing such boundaries. Additionally, the individual has responsibility and the authority to take direct and timely real-time actions (without obtaining higher level approval) including directing shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate System Operating Limit or Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit Violations.

Essential Functions:**

• Maintain power system reliability by ensuring operations are in compliance with applicable NERC and Regional Standards and PJM Operating and Emergency Procedures.

• Review the accuracy and impact on reliability of the grid for pending interchange schedules.

• Determine availability/shortage of Operating Reserves needed to maintain reliability.

• Issue NERC Energy Emergency Alerts as appropriate.

• Perform power flow analysis of facilities and ensure operations within limits (particularly inter-Control Area, inter-Regional and inter-Reliability Area interfaces)

• Perform Time Error Correction and Geo-Magnetic Disturbance (GMD) notification.

• Coordinate system security issues with external Regions within the Eastern Interconnection.

• Actively participate in the NERC Hotline discussions, assist in the assessment of security of the Regions and the overall interconnected system, and coordinate actions in anticipated or actual emergency situations.

• Disseminate information within the Reliability Area in a timely manner.

• Perform system frequency analysis and direct the resolution of significant frequency errors, deviations, and real-time trends.

• Share with other Reliability Coordinators any information regarding potential, expected, or actual critical operating conditions that could negatively impact other Reliability Areas.

• Conduct near term Operations Planning analysis and approve Transmission Outages consistent with PJM Transmission Operations Manual (M03).

• Identify sources of large Area Control Error (ACE) deviations, discuss (or direct) corrective action.

• The Reliability Engineer will assist the Control Area operators in re-establishing normal system configuration as requested and coordinate communications as required in controlling islanding within the prescribed timelines.

• The Reliability Engineer will ensure each Control Area has a restoration plan in accordance with NERC and Regional requirements. Monitor restoration progress, coordinate assistance.

• Serve as the primary contact for disseminating information to neighboring Reliability Coordinators and Control Areas not immediately involved in restoration.

• As required update or perform cascade analysis and voltage collapse studies in applicable regions.

• Confirm study results and determine the effects within his own and adjacent Reliability Areas.

• Monitor system stability within the PJM RTO and react to areas of potential instability.

• Responsible for performing analysis evaluating the effectiveness of PJM operation.

Characteristics and Qualifications:
Required:

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering or equivalent work experience

• At least 4 years of work experience

• Ability to produce high-quality work products with attention to detail

• Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis

• Ability to use mathematical and electrical theory

• Ability to troubleshoot and provide technical support

• NERC Certified Reliability Operator completed in the first 90 days of employment

• PJM Transmission and Generation Certified System Operator completed in the first 90 days of employment

Preferred:

• MS degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience with PJM operations, markets, and planning functions
• Experience using PSS/e (power system analysis program)