Performance & Optimization Manager - Cubico Sustainable Investments
Austin, TX
About the Job
Description
The Performance and Optimization Manager will have overall responsibility and accountability for performance analysis, performance optimization and implementation of plant improvement and optimization solutions across the US portfolio of operating assets. Additionally, there will be a requirement to input to the development and acquisition of new projects by coordinating performance analysis and developing performance forecasts. The role is based in Austin, Texas and reports to the Vice President – Asset Management.
The candidate will have extensive experience in the performance aspects of energy projects, direct experience of monitoring the performance of utility scale solar PV, batteries, and wind projects and a track record of successfully implementing optimization and overall performance improvement for assets. Knowledge of performance monitoring systems is essential and candidate will work directly with service providers to maintain relationship, onboard new project, and improve existing asset intelligence
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and manage the performance monitoring systems (a.k.a. secondary SCADA) for the US portfolio and establish reporting protocols to enable the business to have a clear view on plant performance.
- Lead analysis of current project performance through use of approved software programs and reports.
- Develop and implement KPIs to identify areas of under-performance and recommend opportunities for improvement supported by data and trends.
- Manage interfaces between primary (plant control), secondary SCADA, data communication systems, onsite instrumentation and associated stakeholders to ensure high levels of data availability, reliability and redundancy.
- Manage instrumentation systems like MET stations and POA sensors at assets to ensure proper data collection and plant performance analysis.
- Review third party O&M contractor performance and compare with internal view of performance, identifying and resolving any gaps or discrepancies.
- Coordinate with development and acquisition teams regarding performance estimation for new assets being brought into Cubico’s US portfolio.
- Work with others in the US team to identify potential business optimisation/innovation opportunities and create investment cases and plans.
- Coordinate with global asset management team to standardize systems, reports, analysis methodology, tools, operations, and processes.
- Provide input to Cubico’s improvement and innovation database and create associated investment decision papers.
- Provide ad-hoc technical support to Cubico’s US team, including review of contractual specifications like SCADA and met station specifications, availability warranties, etc.
- Engage with third party operational monitoring and performance analysis providers to manage data inputs, scope of service, deliverables and achievement of desired results including supporting asset managers in the actioning of any identified performance improvement opportunities
- Coordinate long-term operational energy yield forecasts for existing portfolio assets
- Provide input into the yearly budget process and life-time cost models
- Support contractual performance testing, including contractual specification, data monitoring/quality assurance and performance analysis for solar capacity tests, solar performance ratio tests and wind turbine power performance tests.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Demonstrable experience in power plant operations and/or similar asset performance management, including prior years of experience in wind or solar renewable generation.
- This can be satisfied with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field.
- Possession of an MBA or equivalent is preferred.
- Hands on experience with in-field equipment installation and troubleshooting is preferred.
- Experience in successful project delivery and in managing client/external stakeholder relationships.
- Proficient with renewable software tools/data, e.g. Greenbyte, Nispera, Power Factors, Windographer, PVsyst, OpenOA, OpenFAST, BrightWind, SCADA, MERRA2, ERA5, SolarGIS, or similar.
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency of MS Excel and associated visualization tools like PowerBI, Tableau, Qlik with ability to use data tables to create visualization of data trends
- Analytically minded with a focus on attention to detail and accuracy
- Self-motivated, able to take responsibility for tasks and work independently, while providing support to the wider team
- Able to communicate complex technical issues in a concise manner for the benefit of non-technical staff, both verbally and in writing
- Enthusiastic to continue to develop skills in performance analysis and how it relates to the wider technical and commercial aspects of renewable energy project operation
- An efficient self-manager: clarifying tasks and requirements, organising time, prioritizing, and managing workload to ensure deadlines are met
- Well-rounded interpersonal skills, resilient and adept at dealing with many and varied tasks.
- Ability to understand the commercial drivers associated with renewables projects in the US
- An ability to coach, develop, and mentor others in performance analysis.
- Excellent communication skills with fluent English. Spanish language ability an advantage
- Ability to travel to US sites (<25% of time) and internationally on occasion
Source : Cubico Sustainable Investments
