About us

National Grid is hiring a Senior Data Scientist for DER & Policy Forecasting. This position can be based out of Waltham, MA or any of the NY offices in Hicksville, Brooklyn, Syracuse.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.
To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

The Analytics & Load Forecasting team produces electric and gas forecasts for National Grid. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will develop long-term forecasts for demand-side management (DSM) programs, distributed energy resources (DERs) as well as electrification of heat and transportation at the Company level as well as at zonal and feeder levels. This includes creating long-term outlooks based on various decarbonization policy pathways for adoption, energy and peak impacts of Solar PV, Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, Electric Vehicles, Electric Heat Pumps, and Energy Storage for the Company's US service territory. You will support the electric and gas load forecasting teams in integrating these load modifiers and along with decarbonization scenarios into the long-term forecasts. You will work with the distributed resources, DSM, strategy teams, and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure that these load modifiers and decarbonization policies and programs are properly modeled and reflect latest information on studies, programs, plans, and policies. Additionally, you will support and respond to information requests from regulatory bodies for rate cases and other proceedings like Electric Grid Modernization Plan, for items related to load forecasting.

Key Accountabilities

Use appropriate econometrics, statistical and/or data science tools as well as policy understanding to develop long-term forecasts for demand side management programs like energy efficiency and demand response, distributed generation, and storage, building and vehicle electrification, and public policies at system, zonal and feeder level granularity, and create long-term scenarios for policy based decarbonization goals.
Perform additional analysis relating to DERs, DSM, and decarbonization policies in the forecast as necessary.
Work with the electric and gas forecasting teams to ensure the electric and gas load forecasts properly account for the impact of distributed energy resources, demand side management programs and any other load modifiers based on new technologies and policies.
Ability to handle and analyze large complex data sets to derive insights and valuable results.
The position of Senior Data Scientist requires the ability to work independently with limited guidance and communicate to both internal and external stakeholders to present and defend results. The ability to speak to both technical and non-technical audiences to present projects is essential.
Update forecast processes and documentation to ensure they are efficient, reviewable, and reliable.
Provide expert testimony before regulators and defend the forecasts. Respond to data request from regulatory bodies for rate cases and other proceedings.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (including supply, engineering, regulatory, strategy) regarding forecast methodology and analysis and ensure our deliverables meet their needs.
Stay current in all policies, regulatory requirements, market trends, and industry standards regarding customer energy use and technologies and programs impacting that use, such as energy efficiency and demand response.
Work on researching, implementing, and delivering of items that meet regulatory requirements including the Massachusetts Electric Sector Modernization Plans, meeting the the New York climate plan, Distributed System Implementation Plan, etc

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree (Master's or PhD preferred) in statistics, applied analytics, public policy, economics, energy, environment or related field.
3 or more years of relevant industry experience in a regulated setting with direct interaction with regulators preferred.
Demonstrated experience with policy forecasting or forecasting distributed resources (e.g. PV, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, demand response, electrification of heat, etc.) preferred.
Demonstrated hands on experience with econometrics or statistical forecasting or modelling preferred. Experience in energy load forecasting preferred.
Good understanding of National Grid's operations and the regulatory environment preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to testify before regulators and respond to regulatory data requests. Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Expertise in statistical programming software such as Python, or R is required. Advanced SQL skills preferred. Experiences with Git/Bitbucket, Azure, Databricks is preferred. Advanced Excel skills preferred.

More Information

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.

Salary

Upstate, NY $116,000 - $136,000

Waltham, MA $130,000 - $153,000

Hicksville, NY $139,000- $164,000 a year

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Internal candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.