I just read a (rather sensationalist) article about the executive order issued for fri-sun directed towards PJM, and from what im reading, im a little confused as to what its actually doing.

According to the summaries I was able to find, the order directed pjm to use backup resources "as a last resort", dispatch gen to cover load, and lift emissions requirements if necessary.

I will admit i dont work at PJM so I dont know their procedures. But from my experience at another ISO this seems pretty much like normal EEA1/2/3 steps? Am I missing something?

I'm an experienced Operator and I passed the RC test recently due to new work requirements. I'm now am beginning to prep to get the BT, which is a requirement to move up another grade at my work. I'd like to do it very soon so I don't "Use or lose" the knowledge. My job paid for the HSI training, and I paid $19.95 on nercexam.com for a 48 hr "crunch" prior to the RC test. It doesn't look like they have a BT prep, just the RC.
I am wondering if energycertexam.com is a good resource to practice tests? Does anyone know? Or is the the BT close enough to the RC that I can just do the RC tests again.
Appreciate any advice or help.

Curious how this works at other utilities. Fair warning, I’m on the customer-program research side rather than in a control room, so this might be an obvious question.

For those of you whose utility runs a Demand Response (DR) program that controls customer thermostats, EVs or batteries:
Does your control room get notified before a customer device event is called?
Or do you just see it land on the load curve and work out afterwards where the capacity came from?

And if those enrolled devices don’t show up in your SCADA or ADMS at all, that’s just as interesting to hear.

Im taking the EEI test tomorrow and im getting a bit nervous. ive been doing practice tests and doing okay getting an average of 8 out of 10. Any suggestions for me when i take this test? I really want this job, i have worked in substations before (different company as an apparatus tester) but i want to move into more control room stuff like this. so any suggestions or anything really would be helpful!

Hello all,

I am in the process of studying for my RC and want some opinions on the industry. I’m currently in a Field service type role not with electrical but electronics. I find hands on stuff interesting and resistant to any future automation at least while I’ll be in the workforce. I think the system operator is an awesome job with good work life balance. However I know that a NETA tech will have a buffer against AI with it being hands on. I also have done electrical work in the past.

In the current job market what would you think is a safer option? Working towards being a system operator at a utility or working for a private company as a tech earning certs. I know late stage a neta 3/ operator may make around the same.

Hey everyone!

I'm a solo indie developer, and I've been working on a game called High Voltage.

You start with a tiny pedal-powered generator and slowly build an entire power grid, adding wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, and power lines to supply electricity to a city.

It's definitely more of a casual incremental/base-building game than a realistic grid simulator, so please don't expect industry-level accuracy haha.

I figured people who actually work with power grids might get a kick out of seeing this.

I've attached the trailer, and there's a free demo on Steam if anyone wants to try it.

I'm genuinely curious: what's the first thing you notice that would never work in a real power grid?

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GgOimpBmKU

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/5132310/High_Voltage/

This may not be the right forum, apologies if that is the case.

I have access to over 100MW of Power that is distributed over multiple sites throughout Canada and the US. (Some greenfield some brownfield)

What is the best approach to finding an off-taker ? I can’t get to the CTOs directly. Can anyone recommend a Colocation broker they have worked with?

Thank you 🙏

Hey Android users!

To develop my iOS App for Android, I require 14 testers to sign up for the beta test on Android. It’s not out yet, but if you’re on Android and interested, please comment below!

I’m still working on recovering my development costs for the iOS, Mac versions, but the Android developer fee is only $25 USD so I’m trying to port over my design and code to Android.

On a side note, if you would like to support the cause, please spread word of my app, as I think it adds value to many people studying for their exams.

Have a great long weekend, everyone!

Edit: ported as a web app: https://gridprep.app/

This seems like a good place to ask this question. So I'm in the process of applying for a substation operator position with Bonneville Power. It is a trainee position but I want to be as prepared as possible. I do have experience as a substation wireman already. I want to be as well versed on switching as possible considering that's the main focus of the job.

I know you guys use the North Dakota Bismarck training a lot for your CEH credits. I noticed that they have a module specifically for switchman training I was wondering if it would be worth it to buy this to use as prep for my interview. Like I said already I do have station experience and have done switching before already just wondering if this module would broaden my understanding of it to the level of a substation operator.

Thanks in advance!!

https://bismarckstate.edu/energy/industry/switchman/

Update 10/14/26: Just released update 1 for the game getting rid of the existing 3 scenarios and adding new modes such as the hurricane campaign and randomized free play modes, among other new features. Full change log here: https://tyman-2001.itch.io/grid-operator/devlog/1706494/update-1

Hello everyone, I wanted to share this free Grid Ops game I made using AI to see what people in relevant fields thought of it. It's supposed to be a somewhat realistic depiction of how Grid Operators maintain the grid in their day to day. Keeping frequency stable, managing outages, handling voltage, etc. As someone with no real experience but an interest in the field I have enjoyed playing it and wanted to get feedback from people who know what they are talking about to improve the game and see if they enjoy it. I plan to add a campaign and an endless high score mode in the coming weeks. Any feedback and bug reports are welcome. Best played on PC but it works on mobile too. Thank you for your time.

Hey Everyone,

The utility I work for is looking at developing a system to rate workload so we can staff up beyond our minimum compliment based on workload. Do any of you have a system for 'rating' workload? I'm pretty much starting with looking at the number of steps in a switching job to determine how big of a job to classify it as, ie. a job with 10 steps or less is a 'one', a job with 10 to 20 steps is a 'two' and so forth.

Just wondering if anyone has an alternative system for accomplishing this!

Thanks

Hi all,

I am a relatively recently separated nuke (RC division, EWS qualled). Got out about a year ago and got a job doing remote support for a robotics company; the work is a mixture of PLC programming, Linux, electrical troubleshooting, autonomous mobile robots, and kubernetes.

Pays not excellent and it's only a matter of time before my company replaces us with a chat bot. I'm looking to go back to school for my EE. Currently considering studying for my RC in advance. Anyone work with past nukes in the US north east? (NY, New England). Is this a feasible transition into the field?

Appreciate the help!

Not sure if this is the best place to ask this, but I'm looking for some insight. I recently interviewed for a system operator position at National Grid, but ended up getting rejected. Was pretty crushed about it, was a long process and to get rejected at the final step sucked. However, it's something I really envision myself doing and ideally I don't want to let that one rejection stop me. Is there anyone who had a similar experience or knows someone who got rejected the first time around and ended up re-applying and getting hired? There's obviously no harm in re-applying, but I just want to know if it's a waste of my time.

Some context - I have a recommendation from someone who currently works as an operator, as well as a family member and a friend who I can list as people I know who work for NG. I think the interview went alright, definitely didn't smoke it (at least I don't think I did). Was my first time applying for the position.

Are there any other Field Communications Technicians in here that work for Gas or Midstream companies? Was offered a job by producers midstream and wondering how the job is! It's salary Monday through Friday, just needed tips and pointers for the job.

I'm going in for a job interview in 3 days time, I already have my nerc certification and I'm self studied I passed first time with 105 correct answers. I have been working with electricity for about 8 years, I am a certified journeyman.

Potential employer already knows all these things and I was wondering if anybody could give me an idea of the type of questions they might ask me in my interview so I can be better prepared. I already know background info about the company so I have that covered. Just wondering about any questions they might ask to test my knowledge

Thanks!

Edit I got the job. I was asked all STAR interview questions so thanks for the advice!

Is this normal? This seems like a very long time to be permitting projects.

Source: waitingforpower.com

Morning everyone, and Happy Friday!

Thought i'd give you guys a heads up on a major update to the app releasing today.

The app Power Grid Operator Exam Prep now has Control room simulator under the practise tab.

You can essentially take a simulated shift at the BA, TOP, or RC desk in nine scenarios.

The first scenario you pick is free.

The other exam prep features are still the same, with minor updates and its still 50 first questions free, then $24.99 USD for the full unlock if you enjoy the app.

Thank you for all your feedback and dm's as i've really been working closely with you guys to give this app the value it needs.

Next steps is Android, but for now, i'm just trying to recover some of my development costs and time.

If you have the chance, please rate it on the app store (its on iOS for iPhone and iPad, and on Mac).

Hope you all have a good weekend! :)

Hello everyone,

I am trying to transition into a grid ops role and am working on getting my RC cert.

My question is if it’s worth it for me to also try to get a ETST degree from Bismarck? My current workplace has tuition assistance so it’d be free. However, I already have a degree in information technology. Does the associate degree provide value or should I just go for the RC cert and maybe do a masters degree instead.

Thanks!

You guys liked my last post (https://www.reddit.com/r/Grid_Ops/comments/1q9tdad/i_was_told_you_guys_might_like_a_video_game_about/) and now the project has just released to V1.0!

Today after a little over 4 years of solo development, Power Network Tycoon has reached V1.0.

I’m a power engineer and originally started making it as a hobby project around the kinds of power system problems I find interesting. It’s a physics-based power grid simulation covering generation, renewables, grid stability, thermal management, extreme weather and more.

It runs on PC, Mac and Linux including Steam Deck.

Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429930/Power_Network_Tycoon/

Trailer:

https://youtu.be/wrLPvUqbzu8

Detailed Gameplay Video (I think you will like this one):

https://youtu.be/QAWecGI0Im4

Try the stripped down demo that runs in a browser (free):

https://davidmadethis.itch.io/pnt-web-edition-demo

Is there any platform for all psu job notifications, to get notified?