Principal Analyst - Grid Edge

In the middle of the energy transition, businesses and governments are faced with significant challenges. But the pace and scale of change mean every decision is made under mounting pressure.  Now, more than ever, companies need reliable data, analytics and actionable insight.

Wood Mackenzie is the leading global provider of data and analytics solutions for the renewables, energy and natural resources sectors.

Wood Mackenzie’s services include data, analytics, insight, events and consultancy.  A trusted partner for over 50 years, Wood Mackenzie’s team has over 2,300 experts across more than 30 global locations who cover the entire supply chain.

Wood Mackenzie Values

• Inclusive – we succeed together
• Trusting – we choose to trust each other
• Customer committed – we put customers at the heart of our decisions
• Future Focused – we accelerate change
• Curious – we turn knowledge into action

Job Description

We are looking for a Principal Analyst to join the Grid Edge research team within Wood Mackenzie’s Power & Renewables practice.

The Grid Edge team consists of leading analysts covering some of the most cutting-edge topics in the energy transition, including transportation and building electrification, microgrids, distributed energy resource participation in wholesale and retail markets, demand flexibility, and grid modernization. Our research and thought leadership inform the strategies of key players throughout the energy industry, driving innovative business models while hastening the energy transition.

The analyst will lead the Grid Edge team’s coverage of utility and grid modernization. This ranges from utility investment in advanced technologies, to the vendors of the solutions they procure, to the approaches utilities are taking to deal with unprecedented growth in data centers and other large loads. The analyst will establish and maintain relationships with utilities, grid operators, grid technology providers, DER and data center developers and others, staying at the forefront of industry developments. Through hands-on research and the management of others on the Grid Edge team, they will publish reports, develop and maintain data sets, and provide critical intelligence that informs the strategies of utilities, technology developers, and other power sector stakeholders.

Experience in utility strategy or operations is beneficial for the role, but the core qualifications are exceptional research, writing, and speaking skills. You must be someone who thrives on writing and editing high-quality reports, with a knack for gathering and then distilling significant amounts of information into focused, actionable insights.  

Responsibilities

• Be a subject matter expert in utility and grid modernization, including
  • Utility investments in grid modernization and their regulatory treatment
  • Physical and digital grid modernization technology solutions and their vendors
  • Load growth from data centers and other large loads, and utility management of this challenge
  • Regulatory innovation, including performance-based regulation and the DSO model
  • Utility DER management and business models
• Line manage one or more research analysts
• Conduct hands-on research throughout the year, including literature review, data gathering, and close guidance of supporting analyst research
• Track utility proceedings, IRPs, interconnection queues, and general regulatory developments
• Produce multiple research reports throughout the year, and contribute to team-wide reports
• Collaborate with other members of the Grid Edge team to develop a power demand outlook incorporating heating and transportation electrification and data centers
• Support Grid Edge clients upon request and assist with customer acquisition and retention
• Support Wood Mackenzie’s consulting team on grid edge-related engagements
• Present at conferences, moderate panels, engage with media, and publish thought pieces
• Travel infrequently, but as necessary, to clients, conferences, and other Wood Mackenzie offices

 Qualifications

• Experience as an analyst or researcher on topics related to electric utilities, grid modernization, or clean energy, with a broad professional network
• A Bachelor’s degree, and preferably a Master’s degree or Ph.D or equivalent experience
• A strong track record of publication and productivity as a researcher
• Deep understanding of utility regulation, finance, operations, and strategy
• Modelling expertise, with the ability to fa