Director, Storage Engineering

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus is shaping the future by making reliable, low-cost clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation’s largest solar clusters and one of the first projects to beat fossil fuel prices back in 2016. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of smart power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing millions of people with affordable, zero-emission energy – day and night. Through our relentless pursuit of better, we are decarbonizing our planet at the gigaton level, and bringing the advantages of clean energy to all of us.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for a Director, Storage Engineering position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to the Head of Storage Engineering. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead internal and external cross-functional team to ensure comprehensive scope coverage of BESS execution to fit offtake, M&A buyer, and any other project needs.
• Partner with key battery suppliers, EPC contractors, power plant controller providers, and inverter suppliers to estimate component cost and performance for battery energy storage systems for inclusion in PV+S projects.
• Collaborate with battery suppliers, BESS contractors and BESS integrator partners to build investor confidence in new technology or suppliers and push down the Levelized Cost of Storage.
• Own, write and negotiate clear and strong technical contracts for the BESS EPC contractors and BESS suppliers to deliver on our PPA obligations at the lowest cost and the least risk.
• Specify controls and SCADA capabilities of the BESS and power plant for integration with onsite PV, interconnection facilities and utility operations.
• Collaborate with Avantus PV design SMEs to co-optimize design of storage facility with the solar PV component of the projects.
• Help prepare BESS Suppliers and EPC RFPs and technical requirements, work with internal teams to hand off contracted BESS suppliers and EPC contractors to ensure and manage proper engineering, construction, schedule, commissioning, and operation of assigned PV+S projects.
• Work with project engineering team to support design, engineering and technical matters in dealing with project external engineering groups such as engineer of records, owners engineering, fire safety consultants and independent engineering. 
• Review BESS technical deliverables to ensure technical needs and correct designs are met.
• Lead the collaboration between BESS suppliers, BESS contractors and their consultants to assist AHJ BESS permitting process.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 4+ years, in designing and/or operating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• 6+ years experience in utility energy systems.
• Highly experienced with BESS technology, performance, guarantees, integration, controls, equipment selection, and design.
• Experienced in utility scale battery and EPC contracting from project buyer or seller perspective.
• Experienced with BESS contractual guarantees terms, BESS integration, equipment selection, and design.
• Experienced in BESS subsystem performance (batteries, inverters, thermal management, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of permitting particularly in NFPA, CFC, and UL certification processes.  
• Background in utility operations including dispatch of generators and battery storage controls.
• Experienced with battery storage performance modeling.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Bachelor of Science in STEM, preferably in electrical or mechanical engineering.

NICE TO HAVES

• Familiarity with FERC, NERC, CAISO/ERCOT regulation is a plus.
• Graduate or advance degree in STEM or PE in power system engineering.

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