Profession power plant control room operator

Power plant control room operators are responsible for the safe and proper operation of power plants, switchyards and associated control structures. They repair and maintain the involved machinery and equipment to ensure the plant's efficient operation and to tackle emergency situations such as blackouts.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Realistic
• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Electronics

  The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.

• Power plant instrumentation

  The equipment and instruments used for the monitoring and controlling processes in power plants. This requires proper operation, calibration, and regular maintenance.

• Electric generators

  The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.

• Electric current

  Flow of electric charge, carried by electrons or ions in a medium such as an electrolyte or a plasma.

• Electrical power safety regulations

  The compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as the appropriate safety gear, equipment handling procedures, and preventive actions.

Skills

• Coordinate remote communications

  Direct network and radio communications between different operational units. Receive and transfer further radio or telecom messages or calls. These might include messages from the public, or the emergency services.

• Monitor equipment

  Monitoring equipment implies watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

• Manage emergency procedures

  React quickly in case of emergency and set planned emergency procedures in motion.

• Monitor gauge

  Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.

• Adapt energy distribution schedules

  Monitor the procedures involved in the distribution of energy in order to assess whether energy supply must be increased or decreased depending on changes in demand, and incorporate these changes into the distribution schedule. Ensure that the changes are complied with.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Monitor electric generators

  Monitor the operation of electric generators in power stations in order to ensure functionality and safety, and to identify need for repairs and maintenance.

• Close circuit breaker

  Synchronize incoming generating units with units already in operation. Close the circuit breaker at the exact instant of coincidence between both unit types.

• Conduct inter-shift communication

  Communicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.

• Maintain power plant machinery

  Maintain and repair power plant machinery and equipment to prevent operational problems and ensure all machines perform sufficiently.

• Monitor automated machines

  Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

• Respond to electrical power contingencies

  Set in motion the strategies created for responding to emergency situations, as well as respond to unforeseen problems, in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as power outages, in order to rapidly solve the problem and return to normal operations.

• Ensure compliance with safety legislation

  Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.

• Use remote control equipment

  Use a remote control to operate equipment. Watch the equipment closely while operating, and use any sensors or cameras to guide your actions.

• Resolve equipment malfunctions

  Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.

• Write production reports

  Make up and complete shift schedules and production reports in a timely manner.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB