Seriti Green: Systems Engineer at Seriti

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Engineering

• Undertake full responsibility of remote operations, monitoring, maintenance management and reporting of all renewable energy facilities operated by Seriti Green Asset Management (SGAM).
• Determine node addresses, domain numbers, signaling protocol and synchronization sources by using his/her knowledge of design criteria of the Operations Technology (OT) network and applicable procedures and standards.
• Oversee the commissioning of the Plant telecommunication system by collaborating with the EPC Contractor and group IT to bring new systems on-line.
• Analyse the performance of renewable power production facilities.
• Analyse supervisory alarms and invoke diagnostic routines to identify fault conditions.
• Analyse faults using his field experience and decides on what corrective actions should be taken.
• Determine risk and discuss with the Operations Manager and Engineering Manager before corrective actions are taken.
• Provide suitable feedback and reports on the performance of the plants.
• Identification of network refurbishment needs.
• Investigating and identifying the various technology options with their associated costs to meets the SGAM long-term refurbishment and/or expansion requirements.
• Liaising with Seriti Group IT to ensure that the most appropriate technology is used to meet the SGAM’s requirements considering life cycle cost and available budget.
• Conduct site visits to examine existing equipment configuration.
• Plan the refurbishment or expansion needs for SGAM, and technology developments considering existing Plant configuration and network performance.
• Participate and contribute to the design team that liaises with stakeholders on technical inputs, scoping of the Facility and IPP Substation Control System (SCS) architecture, prioritization, adherence to the Employers Requirements (ER), assessment of modification, progress monitoring and reporting on associated risks.
• Propose and pilot state-of-the-art technologies for use by the business to address complex telecommunication network problems.
• Contribute to the concept, basic and detailed designs in full compliance with the ERs, relevant standards, and other design criteria to achieve an optimized asset base.
• Perform appropriate interface designs and support with interface management.
• Contribute to the documentation of the design package.
• Support the provision of remote supervision and control of plant equipment.
• Identify key inspection/witness points and conduct key work inspections, and that they are undertaken in line with the various Issue for Construction (IFC) plans and the appropriate risk assessment and quality documentation is provided.
• Collaborate with the Electrical, Civil and Mechanical Engineers, and the Operations and Engineering Manager on the interfaces and overall design process management.
• Make recommendations on reducing technical risk, improving reliability of assets, through plant health assessments, trending of incidents, analysis of data and ongoing monitoring.
• Supports the Engineering manager with the development of internal guidelines and standards to standardize the department’s Engineering practice and to maintain ISO compliance.
• Contribute to the development of technical, refurbishment and obsolescence plans whilst considering the impact of both supply and demand side alternatives.
• Support the Engineering Manager with identifying training needs of the business within the discipline area.
• Ensure the electrical and SCADA design is progressed in a timely manner to meet interface requirements.
• Develop discipline-specific philosophies, technical guidelines and standards, procedures and specifications.
• Providing O&M input during project planning, design and implementation.
• Scanning the market for potential innovations, analyzing them for development and potential adoption.

Construction and Operation

• Responsible for ensuring that all electrical works are of the required quality standards, and that they meet the specifications and design requirements.
• Responsible for overseeing the telecontrol equipment such as the IPP Substation Gateway with Integrated HMI Facilities, I/O Modules (provide interface to hardwired alarms and controls), and PC-based applications.
• Reviewing work and tests reports of work performed on telecontrol and telecomms Plant equipment in the IPP Substation Control Room, validating results and recommending acceptance or further actions.
• Regular site inspections and walkdowns to verify the electrical contractor’s performance, contract adherence, quality etc.
• Conducting inspections, witnessing of material and component tests, and overseeing any necessary remediation work.
• Close liaison with site team to ensure issues are being managed in accordance with the various contract requirements.
• Support the development of Quality Assurance plans and scopes of work documents for HV and Secondary Plant equipment.
• Close liaison with site team to manage issues in accordance with contract requirements, including commissioning and SCADA testing for Grid Code Compliance by the Renewable Energy Technical Evaluation Committee (RETEC).
• Collaborate with the EPC Contractor to facilitate engagements with the National Control Centre (NCC), Regional Control Centre (RCC) and Standby National Control (Stabnec).
• Support the handover of systems and communications assets to SGAM, providing necessary quality and operation and maintenance documentation.
• Ensuring the availability of plant condition monitoring and reporting systems.
• Recording of plant condition and plan performance and the trending thereof.
• Conduct investigations into plant incidents and recommending interventions to bring plant back into service.
• Providing breakdown intervention to ensure return to service of failed plant.
• Investigating root causes of failures, identifying issues, investigating preventative measures and applying corrective action.
• Evaluating risks to plant, based on plant reliability and making recommendations on strategic spared holding.
• Compile and submit monthly plant performance and generation reports.

Contract Management:

• Ensure all project contract requirements are implemented.
• Produce procedures for contract requirements implementation as required.
• Follow company policies associated with contracts.
• Initiate contractual claims as required.
• Assist with reporting and processing monthly cost recording and processing.
• Monitor, review, and ensure all Business Units deliver required reports.
• Provide Project Reports according to project and company requirements.
• Assist with estimating and provide guidance on costings and commercial matters, including commercial schedules for tender submissions on other projects.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• BSc, B.Eng or B.Tech in Electronic Engineering, Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• At least 4 years’ experience in a large-scale construction project environment.
• In-depth knowledge of network data communications, client/server functions and hardware/software architectures.
• In-depth knowledge of Telecommunication network, equipment and systems.
• Basic knowledge of power line carrier and teleprotection operations.
• Working knowledge of power network environment, including both primary and secondary plants.
• Working knowledge of configuring Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and signal list testing.
• Working experience in SIMATIC WinCC, Wonderware In-Touch, SPPA-T3000 or other SCADA and DCS software.
• Moderate knowledge of the South African Grid Code including the Renewables Grid Code.
• Experience working for an EPC contractor, consultant and Construction in the renewable industry.
• Exposure on Wind/Solar/BESS farms Electrical design and exposure on substation and overhead line design and construction methods will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in the technical operations of renewable power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure will be an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of the Protocol Implementation Description for each protocol (IEC 60870-5-101, IEC61850 and DNP3 and DNP/IP).
• Good understanding of the appropriate South African and International Standards and Regulations.
• Demonstrated high level of commercial acumen, with a proven ability to navigate complex deal structures.
• Demonstrated capacity to work for a multitude of internal and external clients with conflicting interests and priorities. Demonstrated capacity to influence outcomes.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and manage relationships to ensure outcomes are achieved as harmoniously as possible.
• Demonstrated capacity to work both autonomously and within the team environment; use initiative; solve problems through analytical thinking; & make decisions within an intense construction environment.
• Experience with health, safety and environmental risk mitigation controls.
• Professional Registration with relevant local or international statutory body or institutions will be an advantage.

ESSENTIAL SKILL

• Delivery of projects in accordance with the contract to the satisfaction of investors, project stakeholders and joint venture partners.
• All safety, time, cost, and quality KPI’s of the project are met.
• Contract administered in line with the obligations
• Delivery of the project forecast and reports on time.
• Contribution to the improvement of project management methods and processes within Project Construction.