Background

Tetra Tech is implementing the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded regional Power Central Asia (PCA) Activity. This Activity is designed to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the energy sector of the five countries of the Central Asian Region (CAR), including Kazakhstan.

In that context, Kazakhstan has ratified the Paris Agreement with a commitment to reduce its 2030 carbon footprint by 15% from its 1990 baseline, as well as has announced a strategic goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Over the past few years, the country has made significant proress in the development of renewable energy (RE) through the auction mechanisms in the Northern and Southern Zones of the national grid, but has a limited number of RE projects in the Western Zone. At the same time, oil and gas companies in Kazakhstan, mainly located in the Western region of the country, have announced the development of corporate plans for low-carbon development and readiness to invest in large-scale RE projects to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, Eni S.p.A. (Eni) and JSC “NC KazMunayGas” (KMG) announced cooperation in developing energy transition projects for electricity generation and sale. Moreover, the intensive economic development of the region, an increase in water consumption, need for water desalination, as well as the introduction of carbon capture systems are expected to significantly increase electricity demand, requiring additional generation capacity, including from renewable resources. However, the issues of integrating large amounts of RE into the existing grid have not been fully analyzed and planned for.

Summary of the Phase I of the Study

As part of the Phase I of the Study, the PCA provided technical assistance to Mangistau Regional Electricity Network Company JSC (MRENC) located in Mangistau region (in the Western Zone of the National Power Grid of the RoK) to facilitate the RE integration into the electricity grid of the region.

MRENC dominates the power transmission and distribution market in Mangistau region. 90% of the power distributed through the MRENC’s networks is consumed by the major oil companies in the region. The company distributes 3.7 TWh to more than 19,000 consumers through 5,033 km of transmission lines and 67 substations. MRENC's clients are households (16,557), enterprises and large oil fields (10). Oil fields consume 72% of power, and the largest of them – Uzen – consumes 30% of the power distributed by MRENC.

The Phase I of the Renewable Energy Grid Integration Study for Mangystau Distribution Company has been completed and included the following tasks:

1. Overview of Mangistau Regional Electricity Network Company JSC;
2. Forecast of regional energy balance in Mangistau region until 2035;
3. Assessment of allowable penetration of RE in Mangystau region;
4. Grid upgrades required in MRENC Disco to meet RE targets;
5. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement.

This assignment is aimed at providing technical assistance to JSC "Mangistau Regional Electricity Network Company" (MRENC) located in the Western region of Kazakhstan to support its grid development plans for better integration of RE into the electric grid. This activity is expected to help Kazakhstan energy sector on its decarbonization path.

Goals and key objectives of the Phase II of the Study

The objective of the Phase II of the Study is to provide technical recommendations for the MRENC’s 2025-2030 investment program. As part of the Phase II of the Study, the PCA team plans to accomplish the following tasks:

1. Analyze the results of the Phase I of the Study on RE Integration into Distribution Networks of MRENC;
2. Support an International Consultant in finalizing the Mangistau regional distribution network development long-term model for 2025-2035 period using DigSILENT PF software;
3. Additional simulation of various operating modes of distribution networks of Mangistau region using DigSILENT PF software (at the request of MRENC);
4. Analyze the current status of digitalization of power grids and technical capabilities of MRENC for monitoring, control and management of power grids;
5. Development of technical recommendations for 2025-2030 invetment program of MRENC;
6. Site visits to MRENC for data collection, stakeholder meetings and presentation of the results.

To accomplish the above tasks, the PCA team plans to engage three local consultants who will work closely with the PCA team to jointly implement Phase II of the Study. Within the framework of this Scope of Work, the PCA team plans to engage a Grid Modeling Expert.  

Responsibilities of the Grid Modeling Expert

The Grid Modeling Expert will conduct the Study under the supervision of the assigned PCA coordinator and the Senior Technical Expert and interact with international consultants. The key tasks of the Grid Modeling Expert are as follows:

1. Providing support to an International Consultant in finalizing the Mangistau regional distribution network development long-term model for 2025-2035 period using DigSILENT PF software.
   1. Support the expansion of the model developed under the framework of the Phase I of the Study to include additional 12 scenarios;
   2. Assistance in calculations of static and dynamic stability of the Mangistau energy system according to the developed scenarios, identification of critical problems that may negatively affect the operation of the grid and RE integration in the future;
   3. Contributing to the analysis of modeling results, developing recommendations for grid reinforcement and providing expert opinion on the International Consultant's Final Report.
2. At the request of MRENC - Additional simulation of various operating modes of distribution networks of Mangistau region using DigSILENT PF software, including:
   1. Analysis of transfer capacity on selected transmission lines;
      1. Analysis of excessive current parameters in the network and determination of their causes:
      2. Reactive power losses in 220 kV transmission lines;
      3. Capacitive currents in 6-35 kV transmission lines;
   2. Recommendations to address the identified issues.
3. Site visits to MRENC for data collection, stakeholder meetings and presentation of the results.
   1. Site visits to the power grid infrastructure facilities in Mangistau region to determine the current state of the networks and the level of digitalization of the distribution network, including MRENC’s dispatching and commercial metering system and SCADA system (one trip to Aktau to visit power grid infrastructure facilities);
   2. Presentation of preliminary and final results of the Phase II of the Study to get feedback from the key stakeholders (one trip to Aktau to meet with stakeholders to present preliminary and final results of the Study).

Qualification requirements

• Master's degree in electric power engineering or higher;
• 7+ years of experience in grid modeling using DigSILENT PowerFactory;
• Experience in simulation of the operation modes of power grids with renewables;
• Experience in consulting and research;
• In-depth understanding of the Kazakhstan electric power industry specifics;
• Strong academic writing, preference will be given to candidates with publications on topics related to the electric power industry;
• Excellent command of English; Good command in Kazakh is a plus.

To apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter of no more than one page detailing their relevant educational background and professional experience to Ms. Aisana Bekisheva [email protected]  before January 24, 2024 at the indicated email address .

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.