Werner Pieterse Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As a Senior Specialist in Operability Team, I lead efforts to ensure the Ontario electricity system remains operable during the ongoing energy transition. The Operability Team plays a crucial role in the emerging field of Electricity Grid Operability, gaining global attention as the grid transforms with electrification and variable generation.In this role, I develop, implement, and execute processes to define and address operability challenges, design and conduct operability studies… Show more As a Senior Specialist in Operability Team, I lead efforts to ensure the Ontario electricity system remains operable during the ongoing energy transition. The Operability Team plays a crucial role in the emerging field of Electricity Grid Operability, gaining global attention as the grid transforms with electrification and variable generation.In this role, I develop, implement, and execute processes to define and address operability challenges, design and conduct operability studies, and report outcomes internally and externally. I contribute to IESO planning studies, identify solutions for operability gaps, and stay informed on developments in other jurisdictions and external resources.I lead process development to support Operations activities, assess risks, and document controls. I mentor team members, manage stakeholder engagements, and integrate new technology and market designs into IESO Operations. I evaluate new programs, develop end-user computing tools, and conduct operational assessments to identify and mitigate reliability and operability risks. I maintain current knowledge of Operations processes, support efficiency studies, and ensure documentation complies with NERC standards, NPCC criteria, and Market Rules. I leverage my engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, economics, and technical writing to succeed in this role. My experience includes the IESO Administered Markets, interconnected power system operations, reliability and operability assessment, and compliance assessments, enabling effective support for the IESO's mission and strategic plans. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

In my role as a Specialist in Operational Assessments/Market and Technology Integration, I performed various tasks related to assessing operational events for compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) criteria, and Ontario market rules, ensuring the completion of appropriate reporting. I also provided consultative support to other departments and business units related to electrical reliability, system… Show more In my role as a Specialist in Operational Assessments/Market and Technology Integration, I performed various tasks related to assessing operational events for compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) criteria, and Ontario market rules, ensuring the completion of appropriate reporting. I also provided consultative support to other departments and business units related to electrical reliability, system operations, and market operations. During this period, I conducted ongoing analysis of the Ontario grid’s ability to balance supply and demand in real-time using the existing Automatic Generation Control (AGC) system, and projected changes due to increased variable generation and load growth. Additionally, I performed assessments of dynamic reserve requirements. Another notable achievement was the completion of four iterations of the Report on Markets, which provided the Markets Committee of the Board of Directors with a comprehensive overview of the Ontario electricity market and its functions. Part of my work involved contributing to the continuous evolution of the Capacity Auction within forward markets. I was responsible for integrating these enhancements with operational functions and analysing capacity auction testing results for each obligation period (winter and summer) to assess the pass or fail criteria of Capacity Auction Resources. Furthermore, I served as the coordinator for the Hydro Quebec-IESO Interconnection Committee, ensuring effective collaboration and communication between the two Reliability Coordinators. Show less

The IESO established a Market Renewal Program (MRP) in 2016 to introduce fundamental reforms to markets that have remained relatively unchanged since 2002. The rationale for delivering a more efficient, stable marketplace is clear: Open electricity markets create transparent price signals, enabling generators and other resources to respond to system conditions. More competition enables efficiencies by opening up opportunities for new ways of doing things which in turn drives down costs and… Show more The IESO established a Market Renewal Program (MRP) in 2016 to introduce fundamental reforms to markets that have remained relatively unchanged since 2002. The rationale for delivering a more efficient, stable marketplace is clear: Open electricity markets create transparent price signals, enabling generators and other resources to respond to system conditions. More competition enables efficiencies by opening up opportunities for new ways of doing things which in turn drives down costs and supports broader public-policy goals aimed at improving affordability and driving economic growth. I am very excited to be joining the Incremental Capacity Auction design team on this very exciting MRP. Show less

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Advising various Industry Players in Energy on developments in South Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa (predominantly Wind Energy, Gas and Power to Gas (Hydrogen)). The focus was on new infrastructure development opportunities in new jurisdictions, market research studies and assistance with developing business strategies, with a strong focus on techno-economic feasibility analyses.

Centurion, South Africa

Served as Project Manager on the South African Government’s Gas Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (the Gas Program). The Gas Program has been launched to achieve the objective of up to 3000 MW of capacity from gas-fired power generation facilities, in the largest Project Financing Project in the history of South Africa, predominantly through the importation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Duties on the Gas Program included, inter alia: • Development of Financial Models to… Show more Served as Project Manager on the South African Government’s Gas Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (the Gas Program). The Gas Program has been launched to achieve the objective of up to 3000 MW of capacity from gas-fired power generation facilities, in the largest Project Financing Project in the history of South Africa, predominantly through the importation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Duties on the Gas Program included, inter alia: • Development of Financial Models to determine a tariff cap for electricity from LNG. This included extensive analyses of LNG procurement strategies, hedging strategies (foreign exchange and commodity risk) and capital and operational expense analyses. • Compilation, review and finalisation of Procurement Documentation with Transaction Advisors and IPPO Executives. This required a consultative analysis process with Government Stakeholders and the market to incorporate current business models in LNG procurement, pricing and trading, Gas Regulation and other commercial aspects into the Gas Program. • Served as a Project Manager for the Information Memorandum of the Gas Program (https://gaslng.ipp-gas.co.za/).• Controlled a budget of US$22M. • Continuous and extensive interaction with IPPO Executives to report on Project progress and also for decision making purposes. • Engaged and maintained strong relationships with Government and external stakeholders.• Ensured Program alignment with Government policies. • Shortlisted, interviewed, recruited and managed technical, financial, legal, economic development, and other Transaction Advisors to provide input and develop procurement documentation. Other ad-hoc duties at the IPPO included, inter alia: • Part of the team that compiled complex and sensitive input data for the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018 modelling. • Assisted in renegotiation of Economic Development requirements with IPPs of Bid Window 4 prior to Financial Close. Show less

Lecturing Operations Management at the Graduate School of Technology Management (a post graduate course). Supervisor and External Examiner of Master’s Degree students’ theses.

I served as principal contractor on the replacement of major distillation equipment at the Sasol Synfuels Refining Section, and managed risks to ensure that the project was completed on schedule, within budget and with no safety or process-related incidents, within four months of the placement of the order. I prepared tender documentation, and collaborated closely with clients and contributed to contract bid clarifications and contract management and application, specifically new… Show more I served as principal contractor on the replacement of major distillation equipment at the Sasol Synfuels Refining Section, and managed risks to ensure that the project was completed on schedule, within budget and with no safety or process-related incidents, within four months of the placement of the order. I prepared tender documentation, and collaborated closely with clients and contributed to contract bid clarifications and contract management and application, specifically new engineering contracts.Additionally, I ensured the achievement of project-related objectives, including cost, quality, schedule, and safety, and managed all staff including the Construction Manager, Supervisors, and Artisans, as well as sub-contractors. Show less

Doha, Qatar

In this role I developed front end engineering design, detailed engineering design and gate readiness for a Liquid Fuel line replacement project valued at US$12M and an Air Separation Unit project valued US$15M.In addition, I prepared the capital application for both and fund approval was attained.

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

As Mechanical Maintenance Area Manager, I oversaw mechanical maintenance at Oxygen Plants and served as project manager of major general overhauls and shutdowns, front end loading, planning and execution of all relevant disciplines, and managed 400+ contractors during these periods. I implemented risk mitigation strategies, which included extensive application of Management of Change (MOC) procedures, Potential Deviation Analyses (PDA) and Pre Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs). I oversaw 30… Show more As Mechanical Maintenance Area Manager, I oversaw mechanical maintenance at Oxygen Plants and served as project manager of major general overhauls and shutdowns, front end loading, planning and execution of all relevant disciplines, and managed 400+ contractors during these periods. I implemented risk mitigation strategies, which included extensive application of Management of Change (MOC) procedures, Potential Deviation Analyses (PDA) and Pre Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs). I oversaw 30 personnel. My annual budget was US$17M. Show less

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

In this position I directed a variety of projects including engineering maintenance, renewals, new technologies, and capital projects. I conducted feasibility studies, which included the establishment of financial indicators in relation to the weighted average cost of capital, IRRs and NPVs, chaired Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Mechanical Flow Diagram (MFD), and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) reviews, and assisted with plant-related challenges and problems. Additionally, I reviewed… Show more In this position I directed a variety of projects including engineering maintenance, renewals, new technologies, and capital projects. I conducted feasibility studies, which included the establishment of financial indicators in relation to the weighted average cost of capital, IRRs and NPVs, chaired Process Flow Diagram (PFD), Mechanical Flow Diagram (MFD), and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) reviews, and assisted with plant-related challenges and problems. Additionally, I reviewed governance documents (Sasol Specifications on Mechanical Equipment) and ensured adherence to governance requirements during project execution, in accordance with the Business Development and Implementation Model (BD&I model). I also served as Area Manager (Maintenance Manager) and assisted with senior standby duties.Key Project: Project Manager, all disciplines, Watercannon Project (a US$2.5m project), up to Gate 4 according to the BD&I model (stage gate process). Show less

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Followed a set training programme pertaining to mechanical engineering within the petrochemical environment, aligned with the Engineering Council of South Africa requisites. Experience obtained includes: Pressure Vessel Design (ASME VIII), Piping Design (ASME B31.3), Finite Element Analysis (According to API standards), Maintenance and Operations, Inspection of Statutory Equipment, Rotating Equipment (turbines, compressors, pumps, etc.), Metallurgy, and Reliability of Mechanical Equipment.

Worked on numerous product development projects and assisted plant managers with increasing reliability of equipment.

Master'S Degree, Engineering/Industrial Management, Masters In Engineering Management

Activities and Societies: International Golden Key Honour Society (completed Masters in Engineering within top 15% of class) MEng.

Beng(Hons), Mechanical Engineering, Honours Degree In Mechanical Engineering

Successfully investigated and implemented mitigation of failures of Dragline Pinion gears at a BHP Billiton Open Cast mine for a subject.

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering, Beng: Mechanical Engineering

Completed BEng: Mechanical Engineering (First Class)