Hydro Power Plant Process Controller

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Hydro Power Plant Process Controller. A Hydro Power Plant Process Controller manages, supervises and controls the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within a hydro power generating plant. In addition to ensure the energy conversion processes are effectively and efficiently supplying a continuous, reliable electrical energy to the national grid and/or internal reticulation system. A qualified learner will be able to: • Manage, monitor and control the availability of the hydro/auxiliary plants/services required within the electrical production processes. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities related to the water cycle management within a hydro generating plant effectively and efficiently to meet normal and peak national grid demands. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities within the energy conversion processes of a hydro power plant turbo generator set effectively and efficiently to ensure a continuous, reliable supply of electrical energy. • Manage, supervise and control the application of resources, operations, processes and activities related to high-voltage and local electrical reticulation systems effectively and efficiently to ensure a continuous, reliable supply of electrical energy to the national grid and/or internal reticulation system.

Learners obtaining this qualification will be recognised on a national level for performing process control activities on a Hydro Power Plant. This qualification will ensure professionalism, proficiency and excellence in the control of Hydro Power Plant Generation Units. It will also assist in changing perceptions on the status and functional levels of Process Controllers in hydro power plant generation. The qualification will enable learners to feel pride and self-worth, and enhance their morale. Value-adding to the employer will be manifested in the competence of the employee in terms of safe, sound and efficient operations performed by the Process Controller. This qualification will provide standards for recognition of prior learning of existing Process Controller competence throughout the industry and allow credits to be obtained in cross-functional learning fields. This qualification is based on the needs of the power generation industry in building competence in the workplace for Hydro Power Plant Process Operations. The qualification to be replaced was generic in nature, not only for implementation in the contexts of Fossil, Hydro and Nuclear, but also had to cater for the needs of power plant process control in contexts such as sugar processing and SASOL. These contexts are significantly limited in what is expected from a power plant controller in the Fossil, Hydro and Nuclear contexts. This resulted in the practice of ESKOM having had to do top up-training in order to close the gaps of the qualification. Since this qualification is now specific to a single context, (as per OFO) these gaps are now addressed in the qualification and therefore demonstrate an increase in complexity, which places the qualification at NQF Level 6. This qualification provides the learner with accessibility to be employed within the process control function on hydro power plant units. Other considerations in the national interests that is addressed by this Qualification are: • Building individual capacity in this specialised profession. • Ensuring entry, progression and mobility into Life Long Learning in this specific learning field. • Addressing Power Plant Operations Industry's specific employment requirements. • Enhancing professional competence on a national level. • Providing an avenue of upliftment for the previously disadvantaged into this professional discipline. • Enhancing social and economic development. Typical learners will include Power Station employees that have completed the relevant Operator Qualification. The power generating industry is currently investing huge amounts of capital in the training of power plant operators. In the different elements of the qualification, the following aspects are addressed which will contribute to good environmental practices: • Basic Environmental Procedures. • Air Quality Management according to procedures and administrative requirements. • Water Quality Management. • Waste Management. • Soil/Land Quality Management. • Environmental Management System.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related Curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a Statement of Results or certifying a Work Experience Record.RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may Recognise Prior Learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: Learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission: • Further Education and Training Certificate: Power Plant Operations at NQF Level 4 SAQA ID: 61569. • Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate with a pass in Mathematics, Science and English Language. • National Vocational Certificate.

• Justify the purpose and function of all plant systems on a hydro power plant.
• Evaluate the plant generic knowledge and abilities on a hydro power plant.
• Locate and operate equipment in the main control room and the plant on a hydro power plant.
• Interpret or diagnose events and conditions based on alarms and indications during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a hydro power plant.
• Apply procedures, references and technical specifications during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a hydro power plant.
• Operate and control a hydro power plant during normal and abnormal conditions.
• Communicate and interact with other role players during normal, out of normal and emergency operations on a hydro power plant.
• Source and use documentation on a hydro power plant.
• Evaluate the strategies in incidents, out of normal and accident conditions on a hydro power plant.