Environmental Manager

~ Tradewind Energy, Inc. is one of the largest independent wind and solar project development companies in the U.S. ~

Founded in 2003, our company has earned a reputation for innovation in the market, our highly skilled and passionate team and for the respect we demonstrate for the people and communities where we develop projects. We've been honored with the Kansas Governor's Energy Achievement Award and bestowed the national Outstanding Commercial Achievement Award by the American Wind Energy Association. Our founders were named 2013 finalists for the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Our workplace culture also attracts competitive, smart and fun people. We are committed to the health, fitness and work-life balance of our employees. We have on-site fitness equipment and it's not unusual to see our employees cycling to work. Our 50 employees are highly motivated, technically proficient, team oriented and committed to renewable energy.

In addition to exceptional employee benefits and a beautifully designed workplace, we enjoy a balance of work and play (we enthusiastically participate in Kansas City's Corporate Challenge), provide our employees with fresh fruit daily and we bring in catered lunches for the office weekly.

We take great pride in our demonstrated ability to deliver low-cost wind and solar energy to diverse markets while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to long-term project quality.

To date, Tradewind has completed development of more than 1 GW of installed wind capacity, representing $1.7 billion of capital invested, and we are rapidly expanding our solar development portfolio. We are actively developing over 4,000 MW of wind and solar energy projects in numerous states across the U.S.  

Position Overview

Tradewind Energy, Inc. is seeking a creative and highly motivated individual for the Interconnection Planning Engineer (IPE) position. This full time position will join the dynamic Tradewind development team in our Kansas City-area offices and reports to the Director of Transmission.

The IPE will coordinate and provide ongoing technical engineering support to various interconnection studies associated with Tradewind Energy utility-scale wind and solar energy projects.

The position will coordinate with project teams and outside consultants to manage interconnection studies conducted by utilities and ISOs, manage and review curtailment and congestion/LMP studies by third party consultants, ensure compliance with relevant tariffs, and represent Tradewind's interests and shape renewable policy development in various ISOs.

IPE will be involved in the development strategy for existing and new projects, will continue to develop expertise in the power system analysis field and may perform special technical studies as needed.

Responsibilities 

• IPE will be responsible for managing all assigned interconnection and engineering activities for various Tradewind utility-scale wind and solar projects from site selection to planning and development.
• This would include managing the daily interconnection activities for projects under development, collection and distribution of interconnection related T&D technical information to various utilities and ISOs as needed for interconnection studies and meet LGIP Tariff timeline.
• IPE coordinates development of necessary modeling data with subcontractors for generation interconnection technical studies for submission to utilities and ISOs.
• Reviews interconnection study results, technical reports, participates in results meetings
• IPE reviews and negotiates interconnection agreements for projects, submits comments to utilities in a timely manner and facilitates contract execution.
• Initiates, manages, and reviews studies to assess curtailment, congestion, and other transmission-related project risks.
• Provides analysis to inform the interconnection and transmission-related strategy for solar and wind projects including optimal project sizing, interconnection queue management, fatal flaw analysis, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ideal candidates will enjoy providing creative bidding strategies that utilize knowledge of the transmission system and thoughtful assessment of study results and hedging options.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Develops systems to effectively manage all interconnection planning activities, and provides regular reporting to management and project teams on project milestones and critical path decisions.
• Initiates generator interconnection studies for various utility-scale projects with utilities and ISOs, and coordinates interconnection activities.
• Reviews power-flow, short-circuit and stability analysis results of various interconnection studies for projects and submits relevant comments to utilities.
• Participates in project scoping meetings, results review meetings and interconnection agreement negotiation discussions.
• Coordinate the process between internal teams and outside consultants to reach consensus on interconnection strategy and estimated project costs. IPE will issue relevant engineering documents to utilities and ISOs to communicate conceptual design of interconnection facilities and initiate detailed design for various projects with subcontractors.
• IPE coordinates joint interconnection activities and studies with utilities, ISOs and other stakeholders and participates in public workshops for renewable project activities. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering required, preferably with an emphasis in power systems.
• Master of Business Administration Degree highly preferred, or demonstrated competence in RTO working groups, contract negotiations, or other related business experience.
• 3-5 years' experience in renewable power system analysis or related fields with knowledge of power systems modeling software.
• Must have good analytical, decision-making, communication, creative problem-solving, and human relations skills. Must also have capability to work independently on major interconnection projects. 

To Apply  

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your resume and a cover letter to Liz Bentley. Be sure to indicate: "Interconnection Planning Engineer."  

~ We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. ~