Occupation: Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Reported Job Titles
(10)
- Control Area Operator
- Control Operator
- Dispatcher
- Distribution System Dispatcher (DSD)
- DSO (Distribution System Operator)
- Electric System Operator
- Power System Dispatcher
- Power System Operator
- Systems Operator
- Transmission System Operator (TSO)
Core Tasks
(12)
- Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
- Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
- Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
- Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
- Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
- Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
- Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.
- Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.
- Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
- Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
- Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
Supplemental Tasks
(2)
- Inspect equipment to ensure that specifications are met or to detect any defects.
- Tend auxiliary equipment used in the power distribution process.