Transmission Planning Engineer I (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)

About the role

Develop, coordinate, and recommend transmission plans to ensure safe, adequate, and reliable transmission capacity. Apply industry standards and planning criteria to maintain and improve transmission network efficiency. Collaborate with various teams to identify system needs and propose strategic solutions, ensuring operational reliability and safety.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed analyses to assess transmission performance, determine future transmission and substation requirements, and prepare comprehensive reports recommending optimal system upgrade plans and normal operating configurations.
• Develop and maintain databases for power flow models.
• Prepare Dairyland’s annual regional power flow model data submittal.
• Monitor regional power flow model update postings to keep Dairyland’s models current.
• Conduct engineering economic analysis of operating and facility addition alternatives.
• Participate in MISO planning processes and coordinate with neighboring utilities on system planning.
• Participate on MISO and inter-utility (joint study) task forces as a representative of Dairyland.
• Prepare data submittals to MISO, MRO, RUS, state agencies, NATF, SPP, etc.
• Monitor and provide input to MISO to aid in the evaluation of generation interconnection requests.
• Coordinate Interconnection Facilities Studies and negotiate necessary agreements with generators connecting to the Dairyland transmission system.
• Assist in the preparation of three-year and ten-year RUS transmission work plans and associated three-year and long-range transmission capital budget studies.
• Compile historical reliability data and communicate results and trends.
• Participate in transmission reliability benchmarking initiatives.
• Review Member Cooperative work plans.
• Verify that recommendations are reached utilizing “single-system” planning.
• Summarize work plan recommendations for internal routing.
• Support Economic Development with load interconnection requests from Member Cooperatives and perform power flow studies to determine transmission capacity and required upgrades.
• Assist in the maintenance of the State Estimator and the Real-Time Contingency Analysis applications.
• Maintain Dairyland’s Energy Management System (EMS) Network Model due to system changes.
• Provide back-up support to the Operations Engineers for the outage coordination function, including assistance in operating studies for the development of operating guides.
• In coordination with Compliance, provide technical support and documentation to satisfy applicable NERC compliance standards.
• Represent System Operations on Power Delivery construction and maintenance project management teams and organizational strategic efforts.
• Support Dairyland’s generation development and resource planning as they relate to the transmission system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (power option preferred) or directly related major.
• General computer literacy; experience with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint preferred.
• Understanding of Engineering Economics.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Willing to work toward professional registration.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Other Job Characteristics

• Frequent interactions with interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives, and MISO.
• Team-oriented and independent worker with routine and variable tasks.
• Some travel required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay

Hiring salary range: $77,400 - $116,100. Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including education, work experience, and certifications.