Transmission Production Cost Modeling Senior Analyst

Sr Transmission Production Cost Modeling Analyst

Join the Regional Transmission Planning team at Xcel Energy and plan the reliable and sustainable infrastructure to achieve the Company's 2050 net zero vision. Our team uses analysis and creativity to plan transmission projects and drive effective policy for our customers. Our work involves iterative use of power systems data, problem solving, storytelling and relationships.

In this role you will collaborate with internal teams to implement strategies to reduce congestion and curtailment on the transmission system, directly lowering customer costs. Additionally, you will provide input on overall strategic direction and initiatives within transmission, develop recommendations for opportunities within our business and external transmission organizations, provide leadership on large projects, and improve current processes in transmission planning and modeling.

Position Summary As a Sr Transmission Production Cost Modeling Analyst you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our electric power system. Prepare and perform production cost modeling analyses using PROMOD and other tools to serve Xcel Energy's electric power system planning functions to meet customer demand and energy requirements and support regulatory filing and corporate budgeting requirements. You'll prepare direct testimony for regulatory proceedings and provide responses to regulatory agencies information requests pertaining to wholesale energy market-based plans related to the transmission. Investigate and develop new techniques to improve production cost and transmission modeling processes. Support the development of Transmission Production Cost Modeling Analysts. Develop and support strategic transmission planning work including evaluation of interregional projects and congestion cost mitigation opportunities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop energy market forecasts for electric transmission development to support long-range plans, regulatory filings, and reduce congestion. Develop direct testimony for regulatory proceedings. Provide responses to regulatory agencies information requests pertaining to wholesale energy market-based plans and modeling of Xcel Energy's transmission system. Perform independent analyses to respond to or support regulatory agencies review of Xcel Energy's transmission system.
• Develop production cost input and transmission modeling for electric system planning purposes. Prepare forecasts of system impacts to congestion and curtailment.
• Engage with external transmission planning organization (MISO, SPP, etc.) models and policies to verify model accuracy, identify strategic transmission projects and strategic processes to reduce customer congestion costs.
• Perform electric transmission modeling analyses to independently evaluate activities of Xcel Energy's operating companies, from a Risk Management perspective, pertaining to transmission assets, resource additions, regional planning processes, competitive transmission development, and environmental issues. Prepare independent evaluations of regional transmission plans, and analysis of existing and new transmission system limitations.
• Perform monthly assessment of resource congestion and curtailment. Support responses to regulatory group and state regulatory agencies requests and questions, work on proactive congestion mitigation measures to reduce customer cost.
• Investigate and develop new techniques to improve production cost and transmission modeling processes. Provide support in the development of Transmission Production Cost Modeling Analysts.
• Maintain all input data necessary for the transmission production cost model. Ensure transmission and generation systems are accurately modeled in terms of ratings, flow gates, fuel costs, production capability (heat rates, capacity, VOM, etc.) and contract terms in order to provide accurate analysis of transmission system impacts. Optimize existing and write new programs to post process output, as well as develop visualizations to communicate the story from the data to internal and external partners.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's of Science or Bachelor's of Arts degree in systems or electrical engineering, economics, mathematics, physics, quantitative analysis, business or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of experience in analyzing transmission systems including 5 years analyzing wholesale energy markets using financial tools/production simulation software.
• Must have advanced quantitative analysis skills and extensive knowledge in the systems and software required for such analyses.
• Extensive knowledge of the performance, operations and modeling of assets, preferably Xcel Energy's assets, is desired.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with PROMOD or GridView Production Cost Modeling software or equivalent.
• Advanced skills using spreadsheet and database software.
• Demonstrated technical communication.