9241 – Power engineers and power systems operators

Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, institutional and industrial plants and facilities. Power systems operators monitor and operate switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution of electrical power in transmission networks. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

Air compressor operator

Air conditioning system operator

Apprentice power dispatcher

Apprentice power dispatcher – electrical power systems

Apprentice power engineer

Apprentice stationary engineer

Area dispatch chief operator

Area dispatch chief operator – electrical power systems

Area load centre dispatcher

Automated substation operator – electrical power systems

Auxiliary equipment operator

Auxiliary plant operator

Biomass plant technician

Boiler operator

Boilerhouse operator

Building systems operator

Building systems technician

Central control room operator – electrical power systems

Central-office power control room operator – electrical power systems

Control room operator – electrical power systems

Control room operator trainee – electrical power systems

Conversion substation operator – electrical power systems

Cooling system operator

Diesel generating station operator – electrical power systems

Diesel plant operator – electrical power systems

Diesel station operator

Distribution control operator

Distribution control operator – electrical power systems

Distribution system dispatcher apprentice – electrical power systems

Distribution system operator

Electrical power systems operator

Electrical station operator

Electrical station operator – electrical power systems

Electrical station power distribution inspector

Energy from waste plant operator

Energy recovery incinerator plant operator

Feeder switchboard apprentice operator – electrical power systems

Feeder switchboard operator – electrical power systems

Fifth-class stationary engineer

First-class power engineer

First-class stationary engineer

Fourth-class power engineer

Fourth-class stationary engineer

Furnace boiler operator

Generating station main operator

Generating station operator

Generating station operator – electrical power systems

Generating station switchboard operator

Generation substation operator – electrical power systems

Heating and ventilation equipment tender

Heating stationary engineer

Heavy water steam plant operator

Hospital stationary engineer

Humidifying systems operator

Hydro-electric generating station operator

Hydro-electric power plant operator

Load dispatcher – electrical power systems

Mobile generator operator

Nuclear generating station field operator

Nuclear generating station operator

Nuclear generating station operator – electrical power systems

Nuclear reactor control room operator – electrical power systems

Nuclear reactor operator

Nuclear station control room operator

Operating engineer – power plant

Plant maintenance stationary engineer

Power control room operator – electrical power systems

Power dispatcher

Power dispatcher – electrical power systems

Power dispatcher – generating station

Power engineer

Power engineer apprentice

Power plant operator

Power plant operator – electrical power systems

Power plant stationary engineer

Power reactor operator – electrical power systems

Power station operator – electrical power systems

Power substation operator

Power switchboard operator – electrical power systems

Power switchboard operator apprentice – electrical power systems

Power system operator

Power system operator – offshore drilling

Powerhouse operator

Rectifier operator – electrical power systems

Refrigeration plant operator

Second-class power engineer

Second-class stationary engineer

Station operator – electrical power systems

Stationary diesel engine operator

Stationary engineer

Stationary engineer “A” and refrigeration plant operator

Stationary engineer “B” and refrigeration plant operator

Stationary engineer apprentice

Stationary operating engineer

Stationary power engineer

Steam operator

Steam plant operator

Steam power plant stationary engineer

Steam turbine operator – electrical power systems

Substation inspector – electrical power systems

Substation operator

Substation operator – electrical power systems

System control centre operator – electrical power systems

System controller – electrical power systems

System operator – electrical power systems

Thermal plant operator

Third-class power engineer

Third-class stationary engineer

Turbine operator – stationary engines

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Power engineers

Operate automated or computerized control systems, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment such as reactors, boilers, turbines, generators, pumps, compressors, pollution control devices and other equipment to generate electrical power and to provide light, heat, ventilation and refrigeration for buildings and industrial plants and facilities

Start up and shut down power plant equipment, control switching operations, control water levels and communicate with systems operators to regulate and co-ordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages

Monitor and inspect plant equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, meters and other instruments to measure temperature, pressure, air and fuel flow and emissions to detect leaks or other equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant equipment is operating at maximum efficiency

Analyze and record instrument readings and equipment malfunctions

Troubleshoot and perform corrective action and minor repairs to prevent equipment or system failure

Respond to emergency situations if required

Clean and lubricate generators, turbines, pumps and compressors and perform other routine equipment maintenance duties using appropriate lubricants and hand, power and precision tools

Maintain a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities, and write reports on plant operation and non-compliance

May assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures.

Power systems operators

Operate and monitor computerized switchboards and auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution and to regulate the flow of electrical power in the transmission network

Co-ordinate, schedule and direct generating station and substation power loads and line voltages to meet distribution demands during daily operations, system outages, repairs and importing or exporting of power

Monitor and visually inspect station instruments, meters and alarms to ensure transmission voltages and line loadings are within prescribed limits and to detect equipment failure, line disturbances and outages

Issue work and test permits to electrical and mechanical maintenance personnel, assist maintenance and technical personnel to locate and isolate system problems, and assist during routine system testing

Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school is usually required.

Power engineers require a college training program in power engineering and several years of work experience.

Power engineers require a provincial or territorial power engineering certificate according to class.

Stationary engineer trade certification according to class is compulsory in Nova Scotia and Quebec and available, but voluntary in New Brunswick.

Power systems operators require completion of a three- to five-year power system operator apprenticeship program or over three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical and electronic technology.

Trade certification is available, but voluntary for power systems operators in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Control room operators at nuclear power plants require licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Additional information

There is little mobility between nuclear power generation station operators and other classic or alternative power generation station operators.

Progression from lower to higher classes for power or stationary engineers is dependent on further training and experience.

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Exclusions

Nuclear power station equipment mechanics (in 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics)

Professional engineers (in 213 Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers)

Professional engineers (in 214 Other engineers)

Supervisors of power engineers and power systems operators (in 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities)