Power Plant Operator

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A power plant operator could...

Overview Listen to this section

No matter what time of the day or night, or what the weather is like, power plant operators work to ensure that homes and businesses have a reliable source of power. They switch the plant generators on and off, as needed, and monitor and maintain generators, turbines, and pumps to prevent failures.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Power Plant Operator?

1. Operation Monitoring: ? Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
2. Operation and Control: ? Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
4. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
5. Quality Control Analysis: ? Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

6. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
7. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
8. Troubleshooting: ? Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
9. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
10. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Power Plant Operator might do:

• Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
• Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
• Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
• Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
• Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
• Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
• Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
• Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
• Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
• Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
• Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
• Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
• Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
• Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
• Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
• Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
• Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
• Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
• Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
• Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
• Repair or replace gas piping.
• Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
• Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.