Alternative Energy, Analysis Skills, Communication Skills, Computer Networks, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Energy Engineering, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Operational Audit, Operational Strategy, Operational Support, Operations Guidelines, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Power Generation, Power Management, Power Plant, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Pricing, Problem Solving Skills, Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), System Operations, Systems Maintenance, Systems Reliability, Writing Skills
Sr. Generation Dispatcher, Real Time Desk
Houston, TX
Company Information:
Alpha Generation manages and operates power generation facilities that are well positioned to provide reliable, secure, safe, and sustainable power to meet increasing demand for electricity. Our diverse portfolio of assets is owned by ArcLight Capital Partners, a leading middle-market, value-added infrastructure investment firm that owns assets across the power, renewables, strategic gas, battery storage, and transformative infrastructure sectors. ArcLight has invested over $28 billion in equity capital across 125 transactions totaling approximately $80 billion in enterprise value.
ArcLight has assembled a best-in-class leadership team at AlphaGen to manage over 14,000 megawatts of power infrastructure across four RTO markets (PJM, NYISO, ISONE, and CAISO). This highly experienced senior management team has a proven track record of strategic, operational, and commercial success and is focused on value creation while managing risk.
AlphaGen oversees one of the largest domestic, independent power portfolios, with nearly $2 billion in annual revenue.
Position Overview:
Reporting to the Head of Real Time Desk, the Senior Generation Dispatcher, PJM is responsible for overseeing the real-time dispatch of AlphaGen’s generation assets within the PJM Interconnection. The Sr. Generation Dispatcher coordinates with internal stakeholders, PJM system operators, plant personnel, and transmission providers to balance AlphaGen’s generation resources with load requirements, maintaining system reliability, ensuring full regulatory compliance, and optimizing generation performance that is consistent with all PJM Interconnection market rules, and NERC standards. The Sr. Generation Dispatcher will partner effectively with PJM system operators, cross-functional AlphaGen teams, and plant operations supporting AlphaGen’s delivery safe, reliable, economical delivery of energy.
Role and Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor and dispatch AlphaGen’s real-time generation assets—including thermal, peaking units, and renewables —to meet system demand and market commitments efficiently.
- Ensure alignment with PJM dispatch instructions and market schedules.
- Execute dispatch instructions based on real-time system conditions, economic optimization strategies, and within compliance of regulatory constraints.
- Address PJM directives, responding as appropriate to PJM directives in a manner that is consistent with market requirements, conditions, and operational guidelines.
- Coordinate closely with plant operators, cross functional teams within AlphaGen, PJM operators, and transmission service providers to facilitate reliable generation operations.
- Promptly and effectively address system events, alarms, and other occurrences by initiating appropriate corrective measures that are consistent with operational guidelines.
- Perpetuate real-time awareness of AlphaGen’s PJM asset availability, fuel limitations or other constraints, environmental prohibitors, performance deviations, and transmission congestion issues in real-time operational systems.
- Communicate changes in generation availability, fuel constraints, or market conditions to relevant internal stakeholders.
- Keep an accurate log of dispatch activities, asset performance data, and communication from PJM consistent with compliance requirements and AlphaGen protocols.
- Assist in the implementation of demand response or system reductions as required.
- Ensure continuous compliance with all applicable regulatory standards, including NERC reliability standards and ISO/RTO market rules.
- Take active participation in post-event analysis, operational reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Must be able to work a rotating shift schedule to ensure operational coverage 24/7.
Professional Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Energy Systems, Power Plant Technology, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Relevant experience in lieu of degree will be strongly considered.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in generation dispatch, or PJM market operations.
- Strong knowledge of power generation principles, grid operations, and real-time system balancing.
- Proficiency with SCADA, EMS, and dispatch software platforms.
- Familiarity with PJM dispatch protocols, LMP pricing, and operational compliance standards.
- Superior analytical, problem-solving, and other skills that drive excellent situational awareness.
- Possesses the demeanor to make sound decisions while potentially under pressure in a real-time operations setting.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Availability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-ins.
- NERC System Operator Certification (or ability to obtain within a defined period) may be required based on jurisdiction.
- Must be PJM Generation certified or willing to attain this specific certification within 1 year.
AlphaGen is an equal opportunity employer.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable.