Senior Consultant - Physical Markets and Grid Connections

About the role

ERM's Energy Markets team is seeking a Senior Consultant to build a specialist capability in physical energy markets and grid connections. The role covers how assets connect to, operate in and earn revenue from the National Electricity Market (NEM), including network constraints, curtailment, dispatch and bidding, loss factors and asset performance. It supports the Energy Markets, M&A and Decarbonisation practices and renewable, battery storage, flexible demand and electrification projects.

Key responsibilities

• Assess grid connection opportunities, network limitations and curtailment risk for renewable generation, BESS, large loads and electrification projects.
• Advise on connection agreements, technical requirements, performance standards and network access risk under the National Electricity Rules.
• Advise on how dispatch, bidding, ancillary services, marginal loss factors and network constraints affect operating strategy and revenue, including route-to-market, tolling and offtake arrangements.
• Analyse asset performance and operational risk, including availability, degradation, efficiency and warranty provisions in supply, service and offtake contracts.
• Conduct technical due diligence for M&A transactions involving renewable, storage, flexible demand and behind-the-meter assets.
• Assess demand response, flexible load and DER opportunities, including behind-the-meter solar and battery storage.
• Work with market modelling, strategy and decarbonisation specialists to quantify the commercial implications of network constraints, congestion, curtailment and system strength.
• Support clients through project development, investment decisions and transaction processes.
• Lead project workstreams, manage scope, timelines, budgets and quality, prepare technical reports and presentations, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior consultants and help develop new service offerings.

Required profile

• Degree in electrical engineering, power systems engineering or a related discipline (e.g. energy, economics or commerce with strong technical aptitude).
• Approximately 3 to 4 years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in network connection and planning, market operations, scheduling or trading, asset operation or performance, energy market analysis or technical advisory.
• Experience working with network service providers, AEMO or market bodies, generators, retailers or traders, large energy users, engineering or advisory consultancies, or renewable energy and storage developers.
• Experience with behind-the-meter solar, battery storage, electrification or microgrid projects is an advantage but not required.

Required skills

• Familiarity with the NEM, including dispatch, constraints, loss factors and ancillary services.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.