This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a hydroelectric power generating facility. It includes the operational and maintenance activities associated with hydroelectric operating plant and auxiliary equipment.

Auxiliary plant systems and related controls are used to support the operation of hydro generating facilities. Auxiliary plant systems typically include ancillary equipment such as pumps, valves, seals and screens, motors, waterwheels and generators.

Competency in this unit requires the ability to plan and prepare work, operate, test, analyse and report on hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment. Individuals will, in general, work under supervision, in a power generation facility as an operator.

Power generation plant operators are typically trained and authorised to isolate, prepare plant and issue permits to work.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Note: Workplace practice

The application of the skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence or training permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on gas and electrical installations. Additional conditions may apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and prepare work

1.1

Work, Health and Safety(WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, legislative requirements, industry standards, codes of practice, manufacturers’ specifications, environmental obligations and workplace procedures are applied and monitored

1.2

Work, hydroelectric generating plant and type of start requirements are identified from appropriate personnel and documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Turbine running-up and loading schedules are ascertained from relevant documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

1.4

Hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment inspections, preoperational tests and field preparation for service are carried out, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and workplace procedures

1.5

Hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment operational prerequisites are established, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and workplace procedures

1.6

Sequence for recommissioning hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment is determined, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

1.7

Work is sequenced and prioritised, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

2

Operate and monitor hydroelectric generating plant

2.1

Hydroelectric generating plant is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

2.2

Key indicator limits are maintained, in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and workplace procedures and site requirements

2.3

Auxiliary equipment is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

2.4

Hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment is monitored, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

2.5

Hydroelectric generating plant and auxiliary equipment is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures and legislative requirements to gain maximum efficiency of energy conversion and to meet active and reactive despatch power outputs

2.6

Corrective actions are taken to rectify any abnormalities, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and workplace procedures

3

Test hydroelectric generatingplant and auxiliary equipment

3.1

Tests on hydroelectric generating plant and equipment are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Hydroelectric generating plant and equipment is observed for correct operational response, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Hydroelectric generating plant and equipment is returned to required operational status on completion of testing, in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Analyse hydroelectric generatingplant and auxiliary equipment faults

4.1

Causes of abnormal operating conditions are identified by analysing technical and operational information, in accordance with workplace procedures

4.2

Hydroelectric generating plant integrity and personnel safety is maintained, in accordance workplace procedures and through consultation with appropriate personnel, technical and operational documentation

4.3

Appropriate personnel are notified, in accordance with workplace procedures, when defects are detected

5

Complete documentation

5.1

Equipment problems, movements and status are reported, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2

Documentation is updated, in accordance with workplace procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electricity generation

Operations