Interconnection Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Silicon Ranch is a fully integrated provider of customized renewable energy, carbon, and battery storage solutions for a diverse set of partners across North America.

• We are known for putting community partnerships first, and are the only renewable energy company in the U.S. that owns and operates all of its solar ranches and has a 100% track record for successful delivery.

• We have the largest utility scale agrivoltaics portfolio in the country under Regenerative Energy®, our nationally recognized holistic approach to project design, construction, and land management. Our model incorporates regenerative ranching and other regenerative land management practices to restore livelihoods and soil health, biodiversity, and water quality.

• Through our subsidiary, Clearloop, we are able to help businesses of all sizes reclaim their carbon footprint with a direct investment in building new solar projects while also helping bring renewable energy and economic development to distressed communities.

By joining Silicon Ranch, you will be joining a team of experienced and dedicated individuals who have proven time and again that it is indeed possible to not only "make solar do more", but to make the promise of carbon-free, renewable energy that benefits people right where it comes from a tangible, measurable, and replicable reality. 

Silicon Ranch is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is reflective of the communities in which we work and serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Job Description

Position: Interconnection Project Manager

Location: Remote

Overview: 

The Interconnection Project Manager supports the day-to-day execution of Silicon Ranch's interconnection process for an assigned portfolio of development and acquired projects. This role requires close coordination with multi-disciplinary internal teams, the ability to identify and understand utility and internal client issues, and the ability to work collaboratively to develop and communicate creative solutions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. The position necessitates interaction with clients including utilities, financial institutions, off-takers, investors, government agencies, consultants, and other organizations.

SRC's Interconnection Project Manager is responsible for managing the interconnection process for assigned projects across the company's target markets. This position is critical to executing the company's development initiatives and supports market analyses and transmission-related topics, including but not limited to utility tariffs, planning processes, and the overall interconnection process. The position also works closely with internal staff, consultants, and other subject matter experts as needed to execute the company's interconnection and development strategy.

Main Responsibilities:

Management of the Interconnection Process

• Manage the interconnection process and negotiations for assigned development and acquired projects, from siting to execution, including interconnection agreements, system studies, affected systems studies, and engineering agreements
• Coordinate required power flow simulation analysis, models, and congestion studies (internally or externally) to support siting, IA, PPA, financing, and origination processes
• Track and manage interconnection commercial arrangements to support optimization for cost, schedule, and risk
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with utilities, ISOs, and industry representatives on assigned projects
• Serve as the primary point of contact on interconnection status and risk for assigned projects, escalating issues to the VP of Interconnection as needed
• Support the regional interconnection team's processes and best practices
• Support due diligence review of potential project and portfolio acquisitions related to interconnection and transmission risk, and provide input to the acquisition team

New and Existing Market Planning and Analysis:

• Support the development and execution of tactical plans for new and existing markets, working with the Regional Interconnection Managers, Project Development, and Origination
• Track tariff, planning, accessibility, and interconnection process developments for new and existing markets and flag changes to leadership
• Coordinate with internal resources and consultants as necessary to implement SRC's goals

Project Development/Project Delivery:

• Provide input to Project Development and Project Delivery on utility system loading, deliverability, congestion, and potential interconnection costs for the siting of new development projects, in conjunction with Regional Interconnection Managers and Utility Planning
• Support evaluation of interconnection and gen-tie alternatives to optimize project interconnection options based on cost, schedule, off-take preference, and risk
• Support project ranking and prioritization based on transmission capacity, queue position, and interconnection cost/risk profile
• Provide interconnection cost and timeline input to support budget forecasting and project underwriting at key development-stage gates
• Support Project Delivery during construction by tracking interconnection agreement milestones, utility-required studies, and equipment/testing coordination to keep projects on schedule for commercial operation
• Coordinate with Project Delivery and utilities on interconnection facility construction, witness testing, and energization to support timely achievement of commercial operation

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Project Management, with a desired emphasis on power

Experience:  

• 2-4 years' experience in power generation interconnections; solar and project siting experience strongly preferred
• Experience with WECC interconnection processes is a plus
• Working knowledge of generation interconnection tariffs, interconnection agreements, and requirements in one or more key markets, including familiarity with the process from initial interconnection request through utility operations
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong project management, communication, and negotiation skills

Technical:

• Relevant experience in the US renewable energy market, project development, or interconnection experience is desirable
• Familiarity with grid operations topics
• Working knowledge of the transmission system planning process
• Working knowledge of interconnection agreements and ability to support negotiation of utility acceptance of SRC modifications
• General knowledge of power flow modeling and results
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with utilities, ISOs, and industry representatives
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics and write technical reports
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills, capable of applying engineering principles to identify and solve issues
• High-energy, positive attitude with the ability to receive constructive feedback

Our interview process:

A typical interview process at Silicon Ranch might include the below stages. Please note that we may make changes to these steps as needed, and details will be provided to you early on in the process.

1. Introductory Interview with our recruiter
2. Hiring Manager Interview to dive into technical skills and behavioral questions
3. Panel Interview to assess cross-functional skills and dive deeper into technical skills
4. Executive Interview to answer high-level questions about SRC and the team