Company Overview
Hanwha Renewables, headquartered in Irvine, California, is a member of the Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 firm. The company designs, builds, and manages renewable energy solutions, bringing a decade of global leadership to the North American market. Their expertise spans the full energy value chain, including power plant development, design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
Position Overview
The Principal Planning Engineer will lead interconnection planning analysis and economic studies for utility-scale solar PV and energy storage projects. This role focuses on production cost simulations, utility grid capacity assessments, and navigating the transmission interconnection processes of utilities and ISOs. The successful candidate will provide technical due diligence, coordinate third-party studies, and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while ensuring technical excellence in load flow injection studies.
Responsibilities
- Lead powerflow studies (TARA, PSS/E) and economic studies (PROMOD) to assess renewable project interconnection viability.
- Review interconnection study reports (Feasibility, System Impact, and Facilities) to validate assumptions and optimize network upgrade costs.
- Negotiate Generator Interconnection Agreements (GIA), Facility Construction Agreements (FCAs), and other related contracts.
- Ensure all Interconnection Agreements remain in good standing through the Commercial Operation Date (COD).
- Perform technical due diligence for M&A projects and brief commercial teams on findings.
- Evaluate transmission and interconnection tariffs, queue dynamics, and market processes across various North American markets.
- Provide mentorship and technical training to junior engineers regarding load flow simulations and grid capacity analysis.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; Master’s or MBA preferred.
- 10 years of experience in transmission and interconnection planning for renewable projects.
- Minimum of two years of experience specifically with utility-scale solar PV and energy storage projects.
- Proven experience working with utilities, ISO/RTOs, and regulatory bodies.
- Strong background in interconnection tariffs and project execution from inception through development.