Plant Engineer (Power Plant)

General Summary:

Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for managing the daily energy delivery process of the plant. The Plant Engineer is responsible for managing the Energy Offtaker’s schedules and advising Energy Offtaker of the maximum available output of the plant on a daily basis. The Plant Engineer is responsible for monitoring, tracking, and identifying areas of improvement for three performance criteria: heat rate, availability, and capacity. The Plant Engineer is responsible for managing and minimizing generation imbalance and ensuring the plant is operated in a manner consistent with the power purchase agreement, interconnection agreement, and interconnection operating guidelines. The Plant Engineer is also responsible for supporting the Operations Manager and Maintenance Manager in troubleshooting operating and maintenance problems and assisting with plant engineering activities at the facility.

Essential Job Functions:

Provide Energy Offtaker with a daily report on the maximum available output of the plant. This report will be used to schedule energy out of the facility for the following day.

Review the week-ahead and day-ahead energy schedules from Energy Offtaker and assist the Operations Manager in dispatching the plant including the determination of operating status for each unit.

Coordinate compliance with all applicable NERC standards and requirements for the plant. Participate in corporate NERC compliance committee activities.

Oversee the annual capacity test to be used to determine the annual contract capacity of the plant.

Provide contract administration for the Power Purchase Agreement and ensure compliance with terms and conditions. Support Omaha in preparing monthly invoices to Energy Offtaker.

Track and manage the availability of the plant on a daily basis. Ensure the plant is operated in a manner to maximize availability. Identify operations and maintenance problems that prevent the plant from achieving the availability targets in the PPA.

Monitor and track the performance of the control system and the operation of the plant with regard to generation imbalance. Ensure procedures for contacting the interconnected utilities of Notice Events are followed and that the facility does not incur any Penalty Events. Monitor the performance of the plant with regard to the applicable regional transmission operating guidelines (transmission grid, market, etc.) and identify any potential problems.

Monitor and track the thermodynamic performance of the plant using the on-line performance monitor. Track and trend performance of components including individual gas turbines, HRSG’s, the steam turbine, large pumps, condenser, and cooling tower.

Investigate performance problems and work with the Operations and Maintenance Managers to correct plant performance issues including instrument calibration.

Complete special projects as required by the Plant Manager and Corporate Operations Department.

Dependable, reliable and predictable attendance is required.

Must possess a valid, in-state motor vehicle operator’s license at all times.

Supportive Job Functions:

Assist the Operations and Maintenance Managers in troubleshooting problems at the plant.

Assist the Operations Manager with administration of environmental compliance reporting requirements.

Provide engineering expertise for outages and plant betterment projects.

Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

Must be able to handle multiple job assignments on a daily basis while meeting divisional objectives and deadlines. Strong time-management and teamwork skills necessary.

Strong analytical/business-case skills necessary.

Must have strong leadership, motivational, and communication (oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate effectively to large groups.

Education and Experience:

BS in Engineering with six (6) or more years of experience in the operations of power generating facilities and transmission systems, including exposure to combined cycle or steam cycle plants. Demonstrated skills in energy scheduling, plant performance improvement, and transmission grid operation. History of development of innovative and creative problem-solving approaches to improving various aspects of facility performance including technical and business.