Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchersElectricity is vital for most everyday activities. From the moment you flip the first switch each morning, you are connecting to a huge network of people, electric lines, and generating equipment. Power plant operators control the machinery that generates electricity. Power plant distributors and dispatchers control the flow of electricity from the power plant, over a network of transmission lines, to industrial plants and substations, and, finally, over distribution lines to residential users. Power plant operators control and monitor boilers, turbines, generators, and auxiliary equipment in power-generating plants. Operators distribute power demands among generators, combine the current from several generators, and monitor instruments to maintain voltage and regulate electricity flows from the plant. When power requirements change, these workers start or stop generators and connect or disconnect them from circuits. They often use computers to keep records of switching operations and loads on generators, lines, and transformers. Operators also may use computers to prepare reports of unusual incidents, malfunctioning equipment, or maintenance performed during their shift. Operators in plants with automated control systems work mainly in a central control room and usually are called control room operators and control room operator trainees or assistants. In older plants, the controls for the equipment are not centralized, and switchboard operators control the flow of electricity from a central point, whereas auxiliary equipment operators work throughout the plant, operating and monitoring valves, switches, and gauges. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses operators of nuclear power plants. Reactor operators are authorized to control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant. In addition, an NRC-licensed senior reactor operator must be on duty during each shift to act as the plant supervisor and supervise the operation of all controls in the control room. Power distributors and dispatchers, also called load dispatchers or systems operators, control the flow of electricity through transmission lines to industrial plants and substations that supply residential electric needs. They monitor and operate current converters, voltage transformers, and circuit breakers. Dispatchers also monitor other distribution equipment and record readings at a pilot board—a map of the transmission grid system showing the status of transmission circuits and connections with substations and industrial plants. Dispatchers also anticipate power needs, such as those caused by changes in the weather. They call control room operators to start or stop boilers and generators, to bring production into balance with needs. Dispatchers handle emergencies such as transformer or transmission line failures and route current around affected areas. In substations, they also operate and monitor equipment that increases or decreases voltage, and they operate switchboard levers to control the flow of electricity in and out of the substations. Related news articles Market Report: Chips are down for online gaming groups - 16 Oct 2006 Independent,...and oil issues helped drive the FTSE 100 to new highs, closing 15.1 better at 6172.4, despite grim news from the nuclear power plant operator British Energy. ... Power plant planned for ship channel - Oct 4, 2006 Corpus Christi Caller Times,Tondu became an independent power plant operator in the mid 1980s and has since completed two major projects exceeding $220 million in Michigan and British ... UPDATE: Exelon May Build New Nuclear Plant In Texas - Sep 29, 2006 Easy Bourse (Communiqués de presse),NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Exelon Corp. 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McKinney, 20, Redlands; Killed in Humvee ... - Sep 24, 2006 Los Angeles Times,...crew discovered her an hour and 45 minutes later, and rushed her to a hospital, said her father, Matt Heavrin, 46, a Los Angeles County power plant operator. ... More information on Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers occupation Number of Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers Working conditions for Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers Significant points for Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers Training requirements for Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |