EMS/DTS/WAMS Application Engineer

Terms of Reference and Scope of Services

A_BACKGROUND:

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) or Système d’Echanges d’Energie Electrique Ouest Africain (EEEOA) was created by the highest decision-making authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Member States held in Lomé, in December 1999. The Headquarters of the WAPP Secretariat is in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

The ECOWAS strategic objective being implemented by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) is based on a dynamic vision of integrating national power grids into a unified regional electricity market, so that such a mechanism would, over the medium and long term, ensure to the ECOWAS citizens access to adequate power quality at an affordable price, and enhance the economic development of the Member States including industrialization growth, Health and Education improvement, Poverty Reduction, various Employment Opportunities Creation, etc…

To achieve its vision of operationalizing a unified regional electricity market, the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP ICC), a Department within the WAPP Secretariat has been designated to perform the functions of a System Market Operator (SMO) responsible for coordinating the reliability of the WAPP Interconnected Transmission System (WAPPITS) made up of the power systems of fourteen (14) ECOWAS Member Countries and administration of the regional electricity market.

To this end, the WAPP Secretariat with the support of World bank within the Project “WAPP Côte d’Ivoire Interconnection and operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market” intends to reinforce staffing of the ICC Department by filling key various vacant positions including that of an EMS/DTS/WAMS APPLICATION ENGINEER. The successful candidate will be joining the current team in the Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) as it prepares to operationalize the ECOWAS regional electricity market.

B_PROFILE AND SCOPE OF SERVICES OF THE EXPERT:

The minimum qualifications and the functions of the position are defined hereafter:

Job Summary:

The EMS/DTS/WAMS Application Engineer is responsible for:

1. Provides support for Energy Management Systems (EMS) power systems applications portfolio such as Power Flow, State Estimator, Contingency Analysis, Load Frequency Control, Dynamic Stability Analysis, Load Forecasting, Dispatcher Training Simulator (OTS) etc.
2. Provides support to maintaining WAMS eterra phasor point applications.
3. The training of the ICC Real-Time System Coordinators.
4. Supporting the WAPP certified trainers in preparing and providing trainings within the framework of the WAPP System Operator Certification Program;
5. Support Real Time Operations when required;
6. Other missions as assigned.

Essential Duties:

1. Provides support for Energy Management Systems (EMS) power systems applications portfolio such as Power Flow, State Estimator, Contingency Analysis, Load Frequency Control, Dynamic Stability Analysis, Load Forecasting, Dispatcher Training Simulator (OTS) etc.
2. Maintain and improve the Network Model and EMS Transmission Network Application tools like State Estimator (SE) and Real-Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA)
3. Perform EMS network application testing and tuning and ensure all applications are working properly;
4. Works with SCADA data base team on complex EMS application issues triggered from server/network/storage/database components;
5. Maintain WAMS eterra phasor point applications;
6. Support in defining the training plans of the ICC Real-Time System Coordinators;
7. Support the training of the ICC Real-Time System Coordinators soliciting the different ICC subject matters experts;
8. Support WAPP certified trainers, develop operational scenarios using the DTS and deliver trainings to ICC Real-Time System Operators and System Operators from TSOs for improved performance and better transmission system operation decision making considering; The particular needs of skills improvements of the TSO Operators and ICC Real-Time System Coordinators; The regional system operation policies, procedures and applicable regulations (WAPP/ERERA, etc.); The results of post-event analysis studies.
9. Support WAPP certified trainers in evaluating the performance of the ICC Real-Time System Coordinators and TSO System Operators following completion of training sessions;
10. When required, shall participate in post-event analysis;
11. When required, support ITD in EMS engineering - performing DTS acceptance tests of all new versions and configurations. Perform testing as necessary to ensure correct operation and performance for users. Guarantee their proper functioning over time;
12. Assess the application of real time procedures and best practices by Real-Time System Coordinators;
13. Diagnosis and Troubleshooting of related EMS application  issues;
14. Ensure in collaboration with database engineers the optimal availability of the EMS;  systems (primary and backup)
15. Other duties as assigned.

Delegation:

Exercise the following delegated mandate or responsibilities:

1. Work closely with WAPP certified trainers in order to prepare the needed operational scenarios using the DTS for training ICC Real-Time System Coordinators;
2. Assess the application of real time procedures and best practices by Real-Time System Coordinators.

Minimum Qualifications / Skills and Knowledge Required:

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering or Power engineering (Master’s Degree in Electrical or Power Engineering is an added advantage);

Years’ Experience:

At least 4 years’ experience with power system model management using any of the power flow tools or real-time Energy Management System (EMS) databases;

Experience with power flow applications such as PSS/E, DigSilent, PSS-MUST, EMS or equivalent;

Experience in SCADA data base modeling;

Software Programming language knowledge;

Knowledgeable in the various features and functionalities of the DTS software;

Computer operating system administration and management knowledge

Experience & main skills:

1. Strong programming skills and development of automation scripts using python or equivalent;
2. Ability to produce high-quality work products with attention to detail;
3. Experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis;
4. Ability to troubleshoot and provide technical support;
5. Experience with power flow applications such as PSS/E, DigSilent, EMS or equivalent;
6. Software Programming language knowledge;
7. Good knowledge of electricity systems operation and tools (including SCADA, EMS, WAMS, network analysis software, switching and load restoration principles, generating plant operations, powerflow principles.);
8. Experience related to ECOWAS electricity operation and market rules, protocols and procedures and applicable regulations (WAPP, ERRERA);
9. Develop and deliver training using DTS;
10. Ability to deliver trainings;
11. Excellent communication skills.

Preferred:

Direct experience in the use of eterra source for scada modeling

Direct experience in the use of eterra Applications (eterra source, RTNET, RTCT, SMTNET, GE forecasting).

Experience delivering training on eterra suite applications
Familiar with WAMS phasor point applications.

Language:

Sound oral and written communication skills in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language..

C_REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

The EMS/DTS/WAMS APPLICATION ENGINEER 's services includes the preparation and timely submission of quality reports and documents, written in English and/or French as required by the supervisor. He/she will also contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of the System Operations Division and the ICC Department activities.

D_COMMITMENT PERIOD

The duration of the initial Contract extends from the date of signature for a period of two years. On an annual basis, the WAPP Secretariat shall conduct a review of the Consultant’s performance to monitor the continuation of the good and efficient execution of the Contract. At the end of the initial Contract, an extension will be awarded to cover the outstanding execution period of the funding project subjected to the validity timeframe/extension of the funding project with West African Power Pool (WAPP), the availability of funds and the satisfactory appraisal of the Officer’s performance.

The Consultant's services will be carried out at the WAPP Secretariat in Cotonou.

E_LINE MANAGEMENT

The EMS/DTS/WAMS APPLICATION ENGINEER will be placed under the functional authority of the Department of Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) of the WAPP Secretariat, during the execution of the assigned mission as presented in the following Structure:

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