HV Planner - Networks Operations

Position Description

As we transition our electricity system to a high renewables low carbon system with customers at the centre, we need to maintain operational excellence and ensure security of supply, whilst developing and scaling more flexible demand. Distribution Markets and System Operation (DMSO) was established within ESB Networks to focus our capabilities required to meet the recent Energy Demand Strategy (CRU 21/06/2023) and accelerated Climate Action Plan targets.

There is a team of four HV Operations Planners nationally reporting to the HV System Manager. The HV Operations Planner is a critical role within the HV System Manager Team in Operations. The role involves liaising with delivery organisations on the outage requirements to cater for work on the system, assessing the impact of requested outages on the network and granting, with mitigation measures as necessary, thus maintaining system operational security.

The role involves assessing the impact of faults on the system, granting fault outages and changing network configuration to enable the same. This role will involve close engagement with the HV System Controller, HV System Manager, NDCC, MV System Managers, EirGrid and NCD/EMP Delivery team.

The role will require engagement with a range of stakeholders on an ongoing basis, e.g. Delivery Organisation, Eirgrid, HV Customers, etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess network outage requests on all Distribution System Operator (DSO) controlled 110 kV and 38 kV networks and grant outages where outage assessment deems acceptable.
• Risk assess planned outages to understand the risk exposure during the planned works which require network outage; and put in place a risk mitigation plan and control measures to reduce the risk with the relevant stakeholders.
• Co ordinate outages on the HV Distribution network associated with NDCC (National Distribution Control Centre).
• Set out Declaration of Fitness (DOF) requirements to ensure that HV plant is commissioned as appropriate in advance of energised.
• Support the HV system controllers (CRO's) on a day to day basis but especially during times of fault or emergency.
• Complete Energisation Instructions for bringing new HV plant onto the system.
• Arrange updates and maintain HV Schematics and network model as required with changes to the HV network.
• Liaise with HV connected customers as required, in planned and/or fault conditions.
• Input into Distribution Outage Programme and Transmission Outage Programme as required.
• Liaise with Distribution Outage Programmer on an ongoing basis.
• Gain HV System Manager competence and fill this role as requested.
• It would be expected that the successful candidate will go onto the HV System Manager On Call Rota when required.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• A technical qualification or equivalent work experience (of a minimum of 5+ years).
• Full clean driving licence.
• An appreciation of the Electrical Safety Rules and activities such as Designated Work Areas (DWAs), in so far as they are pertinent to impacting on outages.
• An appreciation of the key aspects of Distribution Activities, ranging from Planning to Project Life Cycle.
• The role will involve the coordination activities from many different work areas: e.g. Networks Assets, NCD, NPD, E & MP, EirGrid. An appreciation of how these activities operate and the relationships between them is preferable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are important to the role, in order to work with all stakeholders, ensure deliver an effective outage plan, taking account of outage conflicts that may arise.
• A demonstrable aptitude for problem solving, enabling effective DOP process analysis, review and ongoing development to ensure that it is fit for purpose and is as efficient as it can be.
• Ability to be innovative and adapt to change.
• Ability to take initiative and be a self starter.
• Good working knowledge of station layout, plant and terminology.
• Familiar with MS Excel based spreadsheet tools & SharePoint.
• Experience in HV Network Development planning and modelling.
• Experience in delivery of distribution and/or transmission projects.
• Good working knowledge of protection schemes.
• Ability to think tactically and see the larger picture.

Location

As this is a national role, a suitable base location will be determined in consultation with the successful candidate.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make 'in person' time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Reporting to

The successful candidate will report to the HV System Manager.

Salary: €59,000 to €70,000 per annum

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, .