This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct safe hydro turbine run-ups to a stable operating condition.

Run up of a hydro turbine will involve the operator making a sequence of checks prior to and during start up. This ensures that loading the turbine is completed in a safe and consistent manner.

Competency in this unit requires the ability plan and prepare hydro turbine, start and run-up hydro turbine, test and analyse hydro turbine system faults and complete documentation. 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

Safety issues are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, Work Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and legislative requirements

1.2

Work requirements are identified from relevant personnel and documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Preoperational checks are carried out on hydro turbine plant, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations, workplace procedures and site requirements

1.4

Turbine running up and loading schedule are ascertained from relevant documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures

2

Run-up hydro turbine

2.1

Hydro turbine and alternator auxiliary systems are started up and hydro turbine is run up, in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and workplace procedures

2.2

Hydro turbine is monitored and observed to detect deviations from normal run up operating conditions

2.3

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

2.4

Alternator is synchronised and connected to electrical system, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

2.5

Alternator is loaded, in accordance with workplace procedures, manufacturers' recommendations and regulators requirements

3

Test hydro turbineplant operation

3.1

Tests are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Power generation system and hydro turbine plant are observed for correct operational response, in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Analyseand reportsystem faults

4.1

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

4.2

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

5

Complete documentation

5.1

Hydro turbine plant 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