Grid Tech I

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy’s Grid Tech role within the DGOC group focuses on safety, oversight, and reliable operation of distributed energy resources (DER) assets, including BESS, solar, and microgrids. The position monitors, reports, and coordinates energy storage and DER assets to ensure asset integrity and compliance.

You will collaborate with the DCC and DEOM teams, handle after-hours on-call duties, and contribute to performance analytics and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or four-year technical degree required; 3 years related work experience preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED required; willingness to work after hours and in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor DER assets (BESS, solar, microgrids) for safety, availability, and performance.
• Provide immediate verbal notifications of unusual activity and maintain logs of DER events.
• Coordinate energy storage scheduling and participate in compliance reporting and health assessments.
• Direct DCC personnel and interface with Energy Trading and other groups for DER operations and market participation.
• Support after-hours on-call duties and contribute to continuous improvement of DER protocols.

Skills

DER operations

GEMS monitoring

On-call readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or four-year technical degree

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

GEMS

SCADA/Power Systems knowledge

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Position Summary

This Grid Tech role is within the Distributed Energy Operations Center (DGOC) group of PGO’s Distribution Control Center (DCC). This job is responsible for safety, oversight, and reliable operations of Duke Energy regulated distribution-connected Distributed Energy Resources (DER) assets (including Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), solar, and microgrid facilities). DER facilities are located throughout the Duke Energy regions. The DGOC team monitors, operates, and troubleshoots potential issues or alarms of DER facilities. Duties include maintaining daily logs of DER asset events, providing immediate actions and/or verbal notifications of unusual activities to the appropriate personnel, preparing asset operations reports, and monitoring real-time power output, performance, and health of DER assets. This role is also responsible for maintaining availability levels for each DER asset and following DER use directives from entities (e.g., PGO’s DCCs, Transmission Operator, Power Marketer, etc.). Under limited supervision, this position schedules and coordinates the energy storage charge levels to maintain asset integrity and performance, as well as performs a variety of administrative duties, and is being responsible for EH&S and other relevant compliances. This position works closely with the Distributed Energy Operations and Maintenance (DEOM) team and plays a critical role in ensuring compliance and work activities are completed to meet company goals.

Responsibilities

• Operational Monitoring and Planning Maintain detailed knowledge of PGO's distribution, grid-connected generating and energy storage units (DER assets) operating characteristics at all times, including availability, energy yield, and performance efficiency, etc. to effectively utilize units to fullest potential.
• Maintain daily logs of system events, providing immediate verbal notifications of unusual activities to the appropriate personnel, overseeing the safe and reliable operations of PGO's solar and energy storage connected assets.
• Monitor real-time power output, performance, and efficiency of each DER facility.
• Responsible for maintaining availability levels at each DER site as well as following curtailment directives from entities (e.g., Distribution Control Center, Transmission EMC, Power Marketing, etc.).
• Direct Distribution Control Center (DCC) personnel to provide working interface with Duke’s Operation Centers for all DER system alarms and system operation plans and actions.
• Direct Energy Trading Group personnel – Provide direct working interface with Duke’s Energy Trading group for planning and operations of DER systems into the MISO and PJM ancillary service markets.
• Under limited supervision, schedules, and coordinates adjustments to the daily, weekly, monthly energy storage facility primary business use.
• Afterhours work is required.
• Support Compliance Assurance and Reporting.
• Continue the maturity development of all energy storage protocols relating to maintenance, scheduling, Emergency Action Plans, and notifications.
• Troubleshoot GEMS system alarms and initiate site response for facility interrogation.
• Enter RCA's as needed, plus management of corrective actions to facilities.
• Evaluate all monitored facility data for facility health and performance management.
• Perform site operations trend analysis from GEMS monitoring system data.
• Develop proper system reporting metrics and reports for specific stakeholder groups.
• Initiate health and performance mitigation actions for all DER assets as required.
• Continually validate EH&S compliance.
• Interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and within a team is required.
• Engage teammates in process of real-time operations and assure reporting proficiency.
• Assist teammates in the growth and development of skills and abilities which will enhance both their present job skills and their future value to Duke Energy.

Required/Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or a four (4) year technical degree
• In addition to desired degree, 3 years related work experience
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Advanced knowledge of Duke Energy’s distribution system
• Detailed knowledge of Power Systems, including Transmission, Distribution, Load Control Voltage Control, Frequency Control, Power Quality
• Knowledge of energy storage and solar systems
• Knowledge of control systems for monitoring and operations
• Additional years of DER asset dispatching experience
• Experience in developing procedures or work processes

Work Conditions

Onsite Mobility Classification – Work will be performed at a company facility. On-site employees are also required to live within a reasonable daily commute to their assigned work location, not greater than 50 miles one way. Performs work in a control room environment; required to observe work in all areas of Distributed Energy facilities which are operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year significant hours monitoring control screen dashboards and system data research. There is potential exposure to high stress situations and requirement to be available for emergency response as required by the needs of service.

Specific Requirements

Must be able to serve on call duties after hours. This role could transition to a rotating shift schedule in the future.

Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable). No Represented/Union Position. No Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

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About Duke Energy

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Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.