AN OPERATOR'S JOB

A system operator is on the front lines ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity to consumers, businesses and industry. System operators manage the grid from a set of computer consoles within a control center envionrment, interacting with field crew, general personnel, substation personnel, and with other system operators.

In many ways being a system operator is similar to military service. Time is spent carefully monitoring the system conditions seeking to anticipate and mitigate potentially dangerous and costly system problems. System operators are constantly training, honing their skills, and in simulated environments, practicing new situations to broadening thier expertise. However, when major system disturbances (see video) do occur, like a wind storm or equipment failure, it is the system operator's job to quickly respond and restore the power grid to safe operating conditions.

Working Conditions

System operators typically work in shifts which are varied depending on the the actual utility. This means that there are often long days, but in return, system operators usually have quite a bit of time off - around 14 days per month. Even though the role has traditionally been filled by men, this is changing rapidly, women are more common then ever in a control room. The industry is vet friendly - there is already an established trend of hiring veterans especially from nuke training. System operators work in small teams at a utility, but this also varies according to the size of the service area. A great deal of a system operator's day is spent on the desk, monitoring the system and going through routine procedures that are carefully enacted. When not at the desk, a system operator is often training, using online training, in house on the job training, participating and conducting simulation, as well as sharing on desk experiences with the training staff. There is no question that a system operator's role can be stressful at times during a major system disturbance. Your job will be to remain calm and make strong decisions in spite of limited time, uncertainty of information, and with a lot at stake.

Types of System Operators

A system operator is a generic term for a few different specializations. As a system operator you may be responsible for playing one or multiple roles:

» Interchange Operator - Responsible for enacting and monitoring interchange activities which occur between different balancing areas.
» Balancing Operator - Responisble for planning and maintaining adequate power generation supplies for expected power demand in an area and to maintain the reliability of that area.
» Transmission Operator - Responsible for conducting transmission switching, monitoring system line loading and voltage conditions.
» Reliability Coordinator - Responsible for monitoring and ensuring the stability and reliability of multiple areas, coordinate tasks with multiple entities, and maintain reliability over such areas.

Finally, market operators are functionally separated from the reliability oriented jobs listed above. They are engaged by the utility to work within a market to purchase or sell current and future energy assets in order to maximize profits. Therefore, market operators do well to understand the reliabililty rules (NERC Standards) and constraints in power system operations.

Career Potential

Careers as a full power system operator will typically have salaries in the $60,000 - $100,000 range depending on the utility. If you are interested in working in the power industry, learning the skills necessary to be a power system operator will be a great starting off point. Not only is most of the knowledge you gain in the process directly transferable to other careers, the wide view, interconnected perspective you gain of the industry is an invaluable advantage. Becoming acquainted with and employable in power industry involves a steep learning curve, but by training to be a system operator you will be well ahead of the competition no matter your end career goal.

The Need for System Operators

Studies on future shortages in the power industry are abound (leaves site) with the impending shortfall. This is bad news for the industry, but great news for anyone interested in working in a secure field. The industry itself is frantically reconsidering and reforming its recuitment trends, training plans in order to fill a gap that will widen in the next five years. This is mainly due to retirement and inadequate recruiting practices. For system operators, with a massive wave of experienced operators planning to retire shortly (leaves site), utilities are already struggling to fill the gap that is left by their departure.