Network Planning Engineer

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Over 720,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.

The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.

By working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.

The Role:

The Asset Management function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for optimising the return from the asset portfolio. Asset Management identify, plan and develop investment programmes while achieving an optimal balance between customer requirements, asset efficiency and risk. Asset Management considers the financial and regulatory effects of the proposed investment strategies. The Future Networks team within Asset Management is responsible for the long-term development of both the transmission and distribution gas network. Future Networks are responsible for development of the Network ensuring operational flexibility is sustained to maximise performance of the Network.

Reporting to the Senior Network Planning Engineer, the Network Planning Engineer will carry out network analysis to support the business in its decision making and also produce and present annual publications to both internal and external stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Utilising GNI’s hydraulic modelling software tools, Pipeline Studio (Transmission) and SynerGEE (Distribution), to analyse the capability of the existing network to meet future requirements.
• Maintain network models in line with outputs from the Network Development Plan (NDP)
• Continually maintain a knowledge of all of the systems and processes that provide the inputs to the network modelling process, in order to ensure all network analysis undertaken is based on the most relevant, up-to-date and accurate information.
• Support key Asset Management & Future Network planning processes such as the NDP, Capacity Management Plan, Summer/Winter Outlooks and the Northern Ireland Gas Capacity Statement.
• Support the development and adoption of CNG, Biomethane and Hydrogen onto the gas network
• Support Regulatory and Departmental bodies.
• Conduct network analysis to support key internal stakeholders such as Network Design, Markets & Regulation, New Connections and Asset Operations.
• Writing, reviewing and editing technical reports.
• Coordinating consultancy services and incorporating appropriate commercial conditions.
• Reviewing outputs from network analysis, considering results to determine the priority and merits of potential projects and scenario planning with the Senior Network Planning Engineer.
• Support the development of policies and procedures for Future Networks.
• Providing ongoing status and raising risks and issues as appropriate to the Senior Network Planning Engineer, such as security of supply and European Directives.
• Manage & develop relationships with key internal & external stakeholders.
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Relevant qualification (level 8) Analytical/Engineering Degree with 3-5 years relevant experience
• Highly proficient with MS Excel.
• Excellent reporting and presentation skills are a key requirement for the position.
• Have excellent analytical skills and numerical reasoning skills and be able to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements, and propose and implement solutions.
• Experience in an operations or planning department, preferably in a utility.
• Experience with software modelling tools preferable, but not essential.
• You will be a strong team player and have a demonstrated ability to bring teams together.
• You will be a natural collaborator seeking out opportunities to share knowledge and improve results.
• You will have a clear communication style and will be able to influence others effectively.
• You are comfortable with change and have a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvements and efficiency
• You have demonstrated a commitment to developing new skills in yourself and others.
• You are results focused and have a track record of getting results through others.
• You are comfortable with making and taking appropriate decisions.
• You are committed to providing excellent customer service and have a track record of delivering excellence through others.

Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie  
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 26^th of November.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

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