What does your job title, Resource Scheduling Analyst, mean?  

I’m focused on what HCE can do on a day-to-day basis to reduce power supply costs to our membership and integrate an increasing portfolio of low-cost renewable energy and flexible batteries. For example, 20% of our power supply costs are tied to consumption in the 12 monthly peak hours each year from our wholesale power provider. If we can accurately predict that peak each month, we can call on our members and batteries to reduce consumption and save a lot of money for the membership. 

What does a typical day look like for you?  

The first thing I always do is look at our load forecasts to see if a peak may be coming in the next few days. If I think there will be a peak, I will call a Peak Time Payback event and dispatch other controllable generation, including member batteries and electric vehicles enrolled in our programs. The rest of my day is typically spent finding opportunities to reduce power supply costs through asset operations and dealmaking with 3rd parties.  

Peak Time Payback is a voluntary program that pays members to reduce their electricity use during certain times of the month when we anticipate a peak occurring. This is usually two to three times a month between the hours of 4 to 9 p.m. There is no cost to enroll in the program and members are not penalized for not altering their usage.  

How do you know when to call an event for HCE’s Peak Time Payback program?  

Our peak costs are tied to the highest single hour of electricity consumption of our wholesale power supplier each month. We don’t know when the peak will occur, so I forecast the peak using weather and historical data. I call a Peak Time Payback event when I think there is a high likelihood a certain time will be the monthly peak. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

The utility industry is in the midst of rapid transformation, so I learn something new every day! There is a lot of creative problem solving, and I’m on a great team.

What do you like to spend your time doing outside of work?  

I like hiking and traveling with my family and biking. I also like trying to not-too-subtly convince my 2-year-old daughter to like the sports I like.