James Gundersen

Acting Manager of Dispatch & Scheduling

Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)

08.2024 - 05.2025

Acting Manager of Dispatch & Scheduling - Started Sept 25, 2003
Acting Hydro Resource Scheduler/Pre-Scheduler - Manage reservoir storage levels based on hydrologic conditions, forecast and plans, Prepare volume and stream flow forecast, Generation forecasting and planning, Perform analysis of historical and real-time reservoir inflow and out flow, Communicate and advise project participants of forecast changes impacting generation schedule, Coordinate generation schedules, Collect, review, verify and process data gathering, Administer FA3 Payback, Coordinate with NCPA Hydro, Real time Dispatch Center and Hydro Operations, Snow Survey - analyze snow pack for runoff forecasting, Assist Hydro compliance, Perform daily pre-scheduling function, which requires daily marketing ability, coordination with real-time staff. Daily BA/PC pre-schedule preparation, coordination and submittal as scheduling agent to PG&E, Plumas Sierra scheduling, Coordination with Truckee Donner scheduling daily net short procurement requirements for energy on transmission, Daily support for NCPA Power Pool pre-scheduling activities, which requires daily marketing of surplus and acquisitions of shortages, e-tagging, coordination with real-time staff, etc., Initiating third party transactions to meet load and reliability requirements at least cost within the pre-schedule and balance of month time frames, Purchasing and selling surplus energy, capacity, transmission, and ancillary services, Developing and implementing strategies to maximize resource value and limit financial exposure.
Scheduling Coordinator/Dispatcher– Ensured compliance with all applicable NERC & WECC Standards, Handled real time energy transactions, Responsible for Operating Hydro & CT projects, Responsible for dispatching all other NCPA generation, Operator and/or monitor of member resources as assigned, Monitor of city metering and communication, Coordination of maintenance for system problems, Participatory in outage planning, Responsible for load forecasting, Coordination ISO units and bids, Coordination and executes Hydro project releases, maintenance of accurate logging and record keeping, personally direct switching to 230 KV, personally directs emergency operations, Authority to implement load shedding procedures and direct other emergency operations as necessary when acting as the NCPA System Load Dispatcher Shift position, or as directed by the Transmission Operator or Balancing Authority.
Scheduling Coordinator/Relief – Lead MRTU Analyst, Managed with Dispatch training and implementation for all Scheduling Coordinators during & after the completion of the CAISO’s upgrade to MRTU, Coordinated with Preschedulers, Dispatchers, Software developers, CAISO employees and management, External Energy Agencies, NCPA management & project managers, Tested CAISO’s MRTU Software, Internal software and any related software, Implemented to Scheduling Coordinators & Dispatchers the switchover from the CAISO’s M0z system to the MRTU system. Assisted in the preparation and implementation of operations procedures, RSAW’s and other related compliance documentation before and during the mandatory NERC Audit. Developed Dispatch procedures to comply with NERC Audit. Personally gained knowledge of the Compliance & Standards put forth by NERC and implemented by WECC and the necessary duties that NCPA had to fulfill for compliance
Scheduling Coordinator – Coordinate day-ahead, hour-ahead and real time power acquisition and dispatch transactions with member’s utilities and system operators. Schedule system loads, generation facilities and power exchanges with utilities, municipalities, power marketers and agencies in accordance with contracts, CAISO, WECC and Agency policies and procedures. Prepare data and reports, develop scheduling procedures, and monitor electric power markets and system conditions.
Led cross-functional teams to optimize energy generation and distribution processes.
Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
Managed budget planning and resource allocation for multiple projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Oversaw compliance with regulatory requirements, enhancing safety protocols across operations.
Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.