Power System Studies Senior Engineer- Cape Town

Executive Placement Africa is seeking a Senior Engineer for Power System Studies based in Cape Town, South Africa. The role involves delivering steady-state and dynamic studies for renewable energy projects, ensuring grid integration and compliance. Responsibilities include performing various power system analyses, developing dynamic models for solar PV and wind systems, and reviewing vendor documents. The position requires expertise in industry tools and knowledge of grid codes.
Our client is a leading renewable energy consulting firm that has grown into a globally recognised technical advisory and engineering company supporting the world’s energy transition.


They are seeking a technically outstanding, innovative, and experienced Engineer – Power System Studies, to be based in Cape Town, South Africa, to strengthen their Power System Studies function.


The role holder will deliver and oversee a wide spectrum of steady-state, dynamic, and electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies to ensure reliable grid integration, stability, and compliance of renewable energy projects (solar PV, wind, BESS, and hybrids) in diverse grid conditions, including weak grids and high renewable penetration scenarios.


The position will report directly to the Business Vertical Lead / Director based in India. The successful candidate must possess deep expertise in industry-leading tools, advanced modelling of inverter-based resources, strong automation/scripting capabilities, and thorough knowledge of national and international grid codes and standards.


Roles & Responsibilities


1. Technical delivery and Expertise



Deliver high-quality steady-state and transient power system studies, including RMS and EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) modelling for renewable energy projects across feasibility, detailed design, grid connection, construction, and operational phases.
Perform a comprehensive range of studies, including but not limited to:

o Load flow/power flow analysis (normal and N-1/N-2 contingency conditions)
o Short circuit/fault level analysis (symmetrical and asymmetrical faults)
o Protection coordination and relay setting studies (overcurrent, distance, differential, directional, etc.)


o Arc flash hazard analysis and grounding/earthing studies o Power quality studies (harmonics distortion, voltage flicker, voltage fluctuations, THD assessment)


o Grid compliance and grid interconnection/evacuation studies o Contingency analysis (static and dynamic)


o Insulation coordination studies (switching and lightning surges), Stability studies, including transient stability, dynamic stability, small-signal stability, and voltage stability o Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT), High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT), frequency ride-through, and active power recovery studies for renewable plants o Cable ampacity, thermal rating, and reactive power compensation/voltage control studies o Sub-synchronous oscillations/control interactions (SSO/SSCI) studies where relevant o Ramp rate control, frequency response, and inertial response studies for inverter-based resources



Develop, validate, and maintain detailed dynamic and EMT models for Solar PV inverters, Wind Turbines, BESS (grid-forming and grid-following controls), collector systems, and hybrid configurations, particularly in weak-grid (low SCR) and high penetration scenarios.
Conduct or support manual engineering calculations for short circuit levels, transformer sizing, protection schemes, grounding design, lightning protection, CT/PT sizing, and reactive power requirements.
Review, interpret, and validate vendor-supplied documents, protection schemes, equipment specifications, and control settings for inverters, transformers, BESS, wind turbines, and FACTS devices (SVC, STATCOM, etc.).
Perform studies involving HVDC links and FACTS devices where integrated with renewable projects.




Tools, Modelling & Automation

Demonstrate advanced proficiency in modelling and simulating complex power systems using ETAP and DIgSILENT PowerFactory for steady-state, dynamic, and protection studies.
Show strong hands-on expertise with PSS/E (for dynamic and stability studies), PSCAD (for detailed EMT and transient studies), and EMTP (for insulation coordination and surge analysis).
Utilize DSL (DIgSILENT Simulation Language) and Python scripting for automation of parametric studies, batch processing, sensitivity analysis, custom model development, result post-processing, and automated reporting.
Update, maintain, and continuously improve study libraries, model templates, validation databases, and standard workflows in ETAP and DIgSILENT PowerFactory.

3. Compliance, Grid Codes & Standards

Ensure all studies fully comply with relevant grid codes, including Indian regulations (CEA Technical Standards for Connectivity, CERC/IEGC), Middle East and Africa grid codes, and international requirements (exposure to North America – NERC, IEEE 1547 – or Australia grid codes is an advantage).
Apply in-depth knowledge of international standards such as IEC, IEEE (including IEEE 519 for harmonics and IEEE 1547 for interconnection), IS, NEC, and other applicable norms for power q