Transmission System Planning Expert

This is a part-time position estimating 1000 hours over a 6 month period. No benefits will be offered due to it being part- time.

Job Description Summary: Specialized technical expert to support analysis and strategy development of advanced reconductoring options into utility and regional transmission system planning studies. The subcontractor will provide targeted stakeholder engagement workshop facilitation and presentations and technical analysis focused on conductor replacement strategies using advanced conductor technologies.

Duties Shall Generally Include:

1) Workshop facilitation and content

The subcontractor will share experiences facilitate discussion and produce unique research on where in transmission system planning reconductoring options are introduced (i.e. integrated resource plans economic/policy modeling reliability planning engineering procurement construction phases) and where upstream decisions may be limiting the consideration of advanced conductors.

3 virtual workshops

Hosted and publicized by NLR communications team

Presentations securing industry presenter(s) and discussion facilitation by subcontractor technical expert

Possible agenda for 1st workshop:

(1) Industry presentations (x2) on advanced conductor experience comparable to the following:

An expert on standardization testing and specification of advanced conductors

Utility/Transmission Owner experience with focus on asset management maintenance and long-term field performance.

Consultant/transmission line designer with focus on conductor selection criteria what are the characteristics of a line of a good candidate for reconductoring.

Subcontractor presentation on advanced conductor technology trends.

(2) NLR presentation on recent reconductoring report

(3) Facilitated discussion (led by subcontractor) and/or surveys (1 month after contract award)

2nd workshop on the state of reconductoring in transmission planning at utilities and regional planners (2 months after contract award)

Subcontractor to summarize details from workshop 1 and present on core topic from their perspective

NLR to present on recent interviews with industry

Subcontractor to facilitate presentations by utility/transmission owner with focus on planning perspective.

Other potential participants: Utility commission other regulatory agency ISO/RTO

Support in developing summarizing report for combined first and second workshops (1 month after 2nd workshop)

3rd workshop as a validation of methods strategy and data developed by subcontractor and NLR during course of study (6 months after contract award)

Active demonstrations in coordination with industry preferred

2) Guidebook Analytic and Documentation Support

Advise on representation of reconductoring options within utility and regional planning studies (e.g. Xcel ITC MISO SPP WECC).

Produce draft report section summarizing the state of the industry with at least 10 organizations (spanning utility and regional planners) approach to evaluating advanced conductors as a solution highlighting where in the transmission planning process reconductoring is considered how the benefits (i.e. of the seven benefits from FERC order 1920) are measured and identify potential conflicts in the planning process regarding reconductoring (15-25 pages 5 months from contract award).

Support the development and/or best practice exposition of methods and strategies for transmission planning with advanced conductors

Bi-weekly check-ins with NLR where general progress updates and current and proposed new methods are discussed

NLR to lead long-range planning method development with input from subcontractor. Subcontractor to lead reliability-based planning methods development with input from NLR.

Industry workshop to validate methods development (see above 3rd workshop)

Subcontractor led draft report section on reliability-based analysis for advanced conductors (8-12 pages; 8 months from contract award)

Develop informative tables and/or graphics and a framework for reconductoring installation considerations for ACSS ACCR ACCC and similar high-temperature low-sag conductors (6-10 pages 8 months from contract award)

3) Documentation & Engagement

Facilitate three virtual stakeholder workshops (1.53 hours each) to present analyses gather feedback and align utilities planners and regulators.

Author three sections of the projects final report synthesizing (1) state of the industry via case studies (2) validated methods for reliability planning with advanced conductors and (3) key insights and recommendations (i.e. framework) for installation considerations. Outlines and draft sections will also be required for discussion during check-ins.

Develop supporting presentation materials agendas and post-event summary memos.

Deliverables

Three virtual workshop packages (slides agendas and summary documentation).

Draft and final guidebook sections (3 sections; 30-50 pages).

Bi-weekly check-ins with NLR

Monthly progress summaries and a final subcontract report.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Attributes:

Technical expertise on transmission system planning with experience integrating advanced conductors into planning process.

Excellent communication skills written and orally

Ability to facilitate workshops and discussions with a broad range of stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

Power systems and/or electrical engineer

5 years of work experience in transmission planning

Experience working with utilities and/or ISO/RTO