Position Description/Summary:

 The Power Plant Control Systems/Electrical Specialist is part of a team of professionals with the objective of optimizing the performance of the controls and electrical systems for the 203 MW TS Power plant boiler, steam turbine generator and auxiliaries, transformers, switchyard, protection relays in alignment with the site’s overall business objectives. They will be responsible for typical coal/natural gas fired power plant and as well as 200 MW TS Solar Plant controls and electrical equipment, technical aspects of Distributed Controls Systems (DCS) and electrical systems performance, and improvement projects to ensure continuous operation of the power plant. As part of the technical or engineering group they will support the plant operations, environmental, health and safety programs. The Power Plant Control Systems/Electrical Specialist is essential to the operation of the plant by keeping the Distributed Controls Systems and Electrical Systems in excellent working condition.

 

Responsibilities and Expectations:

 

Provides design and operational support and maintenance of power plant Emerson Ovation DCS systems, the Toshiba steam turbine generator Digital Electrohydraulic Controls (D-EHC) system, electrical equipment; high, medium high and low voltage systems (120 kV, 18 kV, 6.9 kV, 480 Volts and 120 Volts as well as 125 VDC, 24 VDC etc.)

 

Purpose

The critical importance of this position is to provide in-house support for the Emerson Ovation Distributed Control System (DCS), high and medium voltage electrical equipment, Toshiba steam turbine generator Digital Electrohydraulic Control System (D-EHC), all electrical protection relays e.g., generator and motors, transformers and also potential transformers, and current transformers. The engineer/specialist is required to develop knowledge and leadership for Emerson Ovation DCS controls and logic in Foundation Fieldbus, DeviceNet, AMS, and process improvements working with all groups at the power plant. 

 

Essential Job Duties

Develop and maintain plant electrical safety programs, policies, procedures, and practices.  Troubleshoot power plant Emerson Ovation DCS logic, process changes, electrical equipment/systems, steam turbine controls and process problems.Evaluate plant DCS related trips data especially when misoperations occur to determine causes of problems. Provide plant support and continuous improvement of the plant electrical, Emerson Ovation DCS, and Toshiba steam turbine D-EHC equipment integrity. Follow up with Operations and Maintenance for DCS and electrical issues. Recommend better ways to improve plant DCS Equipment and electrical performance and reliability.  Participate in outage planning and outage support for all plant DCS and electrical systems. Provide coordination of all aspects of the plant electrical equipment, DCS, protection relays, PI systems. Work with OEMS and vendors to provide process improvements and hardware replacements. Work with cross-functional teams in operations, maintenance, environmental, safety for electrical, DCS, plant information (PI) and other Data systems. Test and evaluate process control hardware and software. Analyze and repair plant and turbine control system problems during both normal and emergency periods to restore the systems to a safe and efficient operational condition. Provide oversight for acceptance testing of hardware and software for DCS installations and upgrades on plant systems including the steam turbine generator control equipment on the D-EHC. Support all future capital projects/expansions that would impact the DCS system including natural gas, solar, etc.  Train operators using P&ID’s sequence of operations and DCS programs. Participate in plant safety programs, policies and procedures, safety rules and regulations, including the impact of DCS/controls equipment and operations.  Documenting DCS control system history, keeping control diagrams up to date, drawing control diagrams of new implemented controls, file downloads, anti-virus software, latest Microsoft patches, configuration changes, block configuration, graphics, and control processors. Ensure DCS change forms are completed together with the relevant documentation and filed accordingly. Develop plant best practices on current technological advancements.  Work with plant personnel to ensure compliance with NERC/WECC latest cyber security regulations (CIPS), state and federal laws on all practices required by law. Demonstrate a willingness for self-improvement. 

 

Required and Preferred Experience

 

Two or more years or equivalent working with process control systems such as Emerson Ovation or Delta V, ABB DCS systems, Siemens T3000 and other OEMS DCS. Understanding of logic and logic diagrams. Having a good understanding of typical topology of a DCS function network and communication protocols and hardware such analogue, digital I/O devices, controllers, connectivity servers, fiber optic, ethernet, media converters and various communication networks etc.  Ability to understand process control concepts, PID loops, protective relays, medium and high voltage switchgear and power plant or process instrumentation experience and protective relays.

 

Must exhibit outstanding verbal and written communication skills, as well as organization skills and deductive reasoning skills. Must possess strong computer skills including word, excel and any Microsoft Windows based programs.

Efficiently work with outside contractors, OEMs and vendors. Have strong networking skills.

 

Education

Any of the combination of the following will be eligible:

High School Diploma with years of experience and training in electrical and process or power industry or strong electrical and instrumentation technical person will be considered. A. S. or B.S. in Control Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering or closely related engineering or science will be an added advantage.

About TS Power Plant Generating Station 

TS Power Plant is a 203 MW net power plant that operates a drum type PRB Coal B&W boiler and a Toshiba steam turbine generator. The plant went commercial in 2008 and has an excellent performance record. The plant also has a water treatment plant, air quality control systems for NOx, SO2, mercury and particulate removal baghouse. It uses an Emerson Ovation DCS system for control and latest state of the art instrumentation with BUS technology communication. In 2024 the plant will also be able to run 100% natural gas on top of being able to run on coal. A 200 MW PV solar power plant is being added to the existing coal plant and will go commercial in 2024. 

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