This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to coordinate the safe and effective management of energy production to meet demand on an electricity generating unit.

Power utilities match demand and supply through adjusting the production rate of theirpower generating facilities. This is achieved by taking generating units online and offline or through importing power from other utilities.

Competency in this unit requires the ability to coordinate unit operations,monitor network system and power generating plant, analyse network system and power generating plant faults and complete all documentation. Individuals will, in general, work as an operator with responsibility for coordinating electrical energy production, in a power generation facility.

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

Coordinate unit operations

1.1

Electricity generating unit is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures, industry standards and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations to meet demand requirements whilst observing power generating plant limitations

1.2

Electricity generating unit is monitored and observed, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

1.3

Causes of abnormal operating conditions in electricity generating unit is identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, by analysing technical and operational information

1.4

Corrective actions are taken to rectify electricity generating unit abnormalities, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

1.5

Electricity generating unit's integrity personnel safety and continuity of supply are maintained, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6.

Consultation with appropriate personnel is undertaken, as required, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.7

Electricity generating unit is operated at optimum efficiency, in accordance with workplace procedures

2

Monitoring unit and plant

2.1

Electricity generating unit and power generating plant to be monitored is physically identified, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Electricity generating unit and power generating plant is monitored, in accordance with workplace procedures, for normal operation or to detect deviations

2.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4

Appropriate personnel are notified, in accordance with workplace procedures, when defects and abnormal operating conditions in electricity generating unit and power generating plant are detected

3

Testunit andplant operation

3.1

Operational tests are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Electricity generating unit and power generating plant is observed, in accordance with workplace procedures, for correct operational response

3.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures, when response does not meet with documentation, electricity generating unit and power generating plant integrity or personnel safety requirements

3.4

Electricity generating unit and power generating plant is returned to operational status, in accordance with workplace procedures, upon completion of testing

4

Analyse unitand plant faults

4.1

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

4.2

Corrective actions to rectify faults are determined, in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Electricity generating unit and power generating plant integrity and personnel safety are maintained, in accordance with workplace procedures, through consultation with personnel and technical and operational documentation

4.4

Appropriate personnel, including specialists, are arranged for investigation of identified operational abnormalities, in accordance with workplace procedures

5

Complete documentation

5.1

Electricity generating unit and power generation 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