Senior/ Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems (Power systems studies) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job
The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior/Principal Researcher/Engineer in the Energy Centre within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting the translation of CSIR energy-related research into direct and tangible recommendations for South African industries, and for South African policymakers. The incumbent will be responsible for power system research on transitioning the power system from the traditional power system with high levels of inertia to a future power system dominated by inverter-based energy supply sources, with the ultimate goal being to maintain a reliable power system. Therefore, the incumbent will be primarily responsible for research in power system operations (steady-state, dynamic, real-time digital simulation) and microgrids (design and application studies) in support of the energy transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage projects, research and conduct investigations on power systems and related topics.
• Provide leadership in formulating research questions and developing study assumptions.
• Provide research direction to the Energy Centre on power system planning and operations research and microgrids applications
• Develop, test and validate power system models, conduct simulations (steady-state, dynamic, EMT and real time digital simulation). Application is expected at the transmission, sub-transmission and distribution voltage levels
• Participate in local and international panels or working groups on power systems topics.
• Lead a team of researchers/engineers in your own field and across other disciplines
• Generate technical reports, articles, conference papers and presentations aimed at energy industries locally and internationally.
• Provide training on power systems planning/operations topics to CSIR employees and externally.
• Formulate research proposals to attract contract research income from public and private clients
• Develop relationships with potential clients and collaborators for R&D in power systems topics

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• A Minimum of six to ten years’ experience, with at least six years in electrical power systems planning/operations at the transmission, sub-transmission and/or distribution voltage levels
• Experience in power system modelling analysis using power system analysis tools (e.g. DigSILENT Powerfactory, PSS/E, ETAP, Matlab etc.)
• Experience in conducting studies (steady-state and dynamic) related to generation integration and grid code compliance with a focus on renewable energy
• Understanding of grid codes and applications and energy policies and regulations, with an understanding of South African codes and policies being beneficial.
• Understanding of real-time digital simulations and hardware-in-the loop applications
• Understanding of power systems economics and the linkages between energy planning and power system planning.
• Published research or conference papers/articles in power systems or energy related topics
• Ability to lead a technical team
• Experience in presenting at conferences or industry forums
• Expert understanding of the South African power system and its challenges would be beneficial
• Experience in microgrid modelling and design, and understanding of SSEG applications would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) would be an advantage.