[Remote] Capacity Expansion Model Developer

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. The Capacity Expansion Model Developer will collect data and develop methods and software tools to support large scale electric system capacity expansion, informing future planning, policy, and infrastructure development.


Responsibilities

  • Develop the generalized frameworks to link capacity expansion models (CEM), such as GenX and ReEDS, and production cost models (PCM), such as Sienna\Ops, including automated methods to translate data inputs and results from one form of model to another (leveraging the Sienna\Data package)
  • Develop automated workflows to estimate maximum power flow transfer constraints between any arbitrary set of aggregated spatial regions (or “zones”) based on a nodal/line-by-line model of the continental US transmission system composed from utility-sourced data with power flow simulation capabilities in Sienna\Ops
  • Work towards automating transmission network designs to enable generation interconnections and transmission capacity augmentations consistent with results from CEMs and develop methods for automated downscaling of zonal CEM results to a nodal PCM for further reliability analysis (and eventually stability analysis) and confirm costs used for transmission expansion used in the CEM

Skills

  • Relevant PhD. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience
  • Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field
  • General knowledge of other related disciplines
  • Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities
  • Demonstrated experience in management of projects
  • Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date
  • Domain knowledge of bulk power system modeling, such as capacity expansion, resource adequacy, and/or production cost modeling
  • Demonstrated understanding of power systems and power flow modeling fundamentals
  • Demonstrated experience in optimization modeling, including proficiency with a programming language such as GAMS, Python, and/or Julia
  • Experience with working with large data sets
  • An interest in power system issues
  • Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work independently and in team settings
  • Bulk power system domain knowledge about investment/planning processes, grid operations, markets, regulatory processes, etc
  • Experience with software engineering practices, including version control systems, automated testing frameworks, and continuous integration pipelines
  • Deep familiarity with using and developing Sienna for power systems modeling
  • Demonstrated Experience working with large scale power systems data sets
  • Clearance: Preference for individuals who are able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance at the DOE (Q) and SCI access. SCI access may require a polygraph examination

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Pension benefits
  • 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
  • Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
  • Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
  • Paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement

Company Overview

  • The U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for energy systems research and development. It was founded in 1977, and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is http://www.nrel.gov.

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