HPC Coordinator (PPC / SCADA / EMS)

1. POSITION DETAILS

Position Title:

HPC Coordinator (PPC / SCADA / EMS)

Reports to:

OYA Operations – Southern Africa – Project Director

Department:

OYA Operations -Construction Development & Commissioning Phases

Contract type

12 Months Fixed Term Contract

Location:

Western Cape - Matjiesfontein

2. BACKGROUND

Oya will be one of the largest hybrid energy projects in Africa considering the technology mix and size. The 128MW Oya Operations Hybrid facility will offer dispatchable renewable energy for the RMIPPPP programme. The Project will utilize co-located wind turbines, solar PV arrays, Lithium-Ion batteries and a hybrid controller that orchestrates all three technologies to provide dispatchable power to the grid as and when needed. The excellent people in our organization are our key assets, and we are looking for more high-performance individuals with a strong team spirit

The Hybrid Project has a total contracted dispatchable capacity of 128MW.

Wind: 86.4MW

Solar PV:155MWp bi-facial solar PV modules

Battery: 94MW / 242MWh

OYA SHAREHOLDERS:  ENGIE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS 35 %; G7 20 %; MEADOWS ENERGY 22,5 % PERPETUA HOLDINGS GROUP/PERPETUA RMI4P OYA (Pty) Ltd (Black Enterprise Member) 22,5 %

3. JOB PURPOSE

 The HPC Coordinator will be responsible to oversee the development of the operational strategies to be implemented in the design, implementation and testing of the Hybrid Plant Controller of the OYA project consisting of wind, solar PV and battery components. The development , design and implementation is performed by the EPC contractor ( Sinohydro ) and its supplier ETAP. The system interfaces with the dispatch of the off taker ESKOM and the Operation Management System ( OMS ) as developed by G7. The purpose is to coordinate and oversee the different parties involved and ensure the system is developed as per the specifications, the PPA, the Grid Code and allows the optimal operation of the power plant and its components during all different scenarios and plant configurations, in order to maximize production and operation as per PPA and the economic model assumed in the business plan.

4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES

Define and develop with the team the different operational strategies to be implemented in the HPC for the different operational scenarios of the project

Oversee the development of the PPC systems for wind, solar, BESS components of the project 
Oversee the development of the HPC by the Contractor
Oversee the development of the different modes of control such as : Frequency control mode, Voltage control mode, Power Factor regulation, Automatic Generation control mode, Active and Reactive power control modes, Curtailment modes, Power Factor control mode, … in compliance with the PPA
Manage the proper communication between the parties involved in the development of the system, such as PPC of the wind, solar, BESS and HPC, SCADA system, OMS system, Grid, including the data to be exchanged and protocols used 
Ensure the communication architecture has all requirements met including redundancy, associated switches (e.g, firewall)Ensure the communication signals from solar, wind, BESS are collected for monitoring and controlling purposes by the HPC including the monitored signals (e.g., voltage magnitude etc.) and controlled signals (Power and Reactive reference)
Manage the interfaces such as HPC-Eskom ( via Gateway & RTU ), HPC-OMS, HPC with the PPC of the wind , solar and BESS assets, HPC - FSP( Forecasting Service Provider )
Ensure integration of the energy dispatch and prioritization strategies as per the PPA , including a.o. mandated control and data exchange capabilities such as : declarations, availability notices, dispatch schedules, history logging, etc …
Ensure control narratives and scenarios based on the PPA, grid code and economic model of the project is implemented into the HPC via the OMS

Holds or attends regular design and coordination meetings to collaborate between the abovementioned parties
Assess all clarification responses and ensure these are implemented into the HPC and associated systems
Participate to FAT (e.g., including HIL) and SAT tests of the different components and the integration in the HPC. The HPC FAT is considered a critical milestone requiring strong FAT experience.  Design updates and RTDS testing (in HIL environment) during the FAT should be mature and advanced enough to ensure that major configuration changes are not required during the SAT, as these will be difficult to implement onsite and could negatively impact the project schedule.
Provide technical support to the project team during installation and commissioning
Work with other project team members collaboratively

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Educational Qualification:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or I&C engineering , Operations or a related field

Experience:

3+ years of experience with PPC / SCADA / EMS
Experience with hybrid plant control strategies and control narratives
Experience with operation of renewable plants
Experience with microgrids,  ideally with experience in renewable asset interface

Experience with translating requirements of PPA into the operational strategies of the HPC
Experience with the responsibilities listed above in other projects
Strong leadership and collaboration skills for coordinating a team of technical experts from different contractor, engineering and operator
Result focused  
Renewable energy experience REQUIRED (Solar, BESS, Wind)
 

Skills:

Ability to work in broad cultural spectrum

Ability to communicate well with all stakeholders, both in writing and verbally.

Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.

Ability to lead multiple teams.

Excellent organizational skills

Efficient time management

Ability to work under pressure

Capacity to organize and prioritise

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

6.COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONS

Internal:

CEO

CFO

Project Director (“CD”)

All other employees

External:

EPC

Owners engineer

Independent engineer

Local stakeholders

Head of Construction Shareholder

7. BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Strong communication and reporting skills.

Must be able to work both independently and lead team structures with ability to bridge cultural differences.

Goal and result orientated, able to prioritize issues in the best interest of the project.

Highest ethical standards

8. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Adheres to the Company Policies and Procedures;

Behaves in a professional and responsible way;

Lives the values of the Company.