Renewables Operations Center (ROC) Operator

Important Application Submission Information

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The Renewables Operations Center (ROC) is a 24/7/365 control room manages and monitors Duke Energy’s hydro, solar, and battery storage assets to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. This role involves real-time decision-making to balance energy demands and water resource management while adhering to regulatory requirements.

• Operations and asset control: The operator is responsible for dispatching and controlling hydro, solar, and battery storage generation assets, continuously monitoring operational screens, and collaborating with site technicians to address alarms and maintenance needs. They adjust unit controls and excitation based on system conditions and ensure accurate operational logs and generation schedules for dispatch purposes.

• Water and reservoir management: The role includes managing water reservoirs and control systems as part of an integrated system, including floodgate operations during high inflow periods. Operators dispatch hydro units or manipulate spillways to regulate water flow, maintain compliance with FERC licenses, and participate in dam failure drills and emergency notifications.

• Safety, compliance, and communication: Operators ensure site safety and security, make operational decisions to protect facilities and the public, negotiate outage and reserve requests, and communicate unit limitations. They use risk-informed decision-making and maintain accuracy of publicly available information while curtailing surplus solar generation or adjusting battery storage operations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the ECCs to mitigate grid events and meet customer energy demand
• Dispatch and operate hydro generation, solar generation, and battery storage assets to meet energy demand
• Constantly monitor operational screens on all ROC fleet assets
• Work with site technicians to mitigate site alarms and workarounds
• Manage site safety and security elements of assets in alignment with established procedures and regulations
• Adjust unit controls and excitation based on unit response, system limitation, and generator voltage limits/schedule
• Make operational decisions that ensure the safety of Duke Energy facilities and the public
• Ensure accurate COA entries noting available generation for ECC dispatch and FSO modeling
• Maintain accurate Plant View operations logs Waterway Management
• Manage reservoirs as part of an integrated system, including periods of high inflows, which encompasses floodgate operations.
• Dispatch Hydro generating units or manipulate spillways to move water through the system
• Maintain FERC training and qualifications including participation in dam failure drills
• Evaluate dam failure and dam non-failure conditions, then implement corresponding plans up to notification of EMAs for public warnings and evacuations
• Under high water conditions, make notifications and coordinate with stakeholders
• Negotiate outage and reserve requests
• Communicate emerging unit limitations across relevant organizations
• Utilize risk informed decision making based on the criticality of the asset and grid conditions
• Maintain accuracy of publicly available information as required
• Curtail surplus Solar generation at the request of the ECC as a method of assuring grid reliability
• Adjust storage asset (battery) operational modes and/or scheduling charge/discharge cycles as required by procedure or ECC request.
• Utilize proficiency to serve as a non-shift resource for equipment, operations, and compliance questions
• Provide on-the-job training
• The ROC Operator is expected to own their development and seek information that will assist in their job-related duties. Within the first year, the ROC Operator is expected to have completed all Level 2 JPMs AND successfully passed their ROC Board Evaluation qualifying them to take independent instruction from the Energy Control Center (ECC).

Required/Basic Qualifications

• Associate degree and 2 years of work experience.
• In lieu of degree 4 years of operational/generation station experience

Specific Requirements:

• Ability to obtain unescorted NERC access.
• Either a two-year technical degree and 2 years work experience; OR 4 years generation facility experience without a degree
• Proven competency in ROC computer applications
• Completed all Level2 JPMs AND successfully pass the RROC Board Evaluation within the first 12 months.

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate degree and 2 years of work experience.
• In lieu of degree 4 years of operational/generation station experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient with computer systems and using many software applications.
• Analytical skills, ability to quickly learn varied operational parameters at multiple plants.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with impact-possessing excellent negotiating skills.
• Excellent team building and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation delivery.
• Ability to quickly assess the situation, analyze the data and react to rapidly changing conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of power system operations and Renewable Energy Technologies (Hydroelectric, Solar, Storage, etc.)
• Previous experience as a control room operator
• Previous experience as a Hydro, Solar, or BESS Technician

Working Conditions:

• Onsite Mobility Classification – Work will be performed at a company facility. On-site employees are also required to live within a reasonable daily commute to their assigned work location, not greater than 50 miles one way.

• Office / Control Room
• Rotating Shift Coverage of 24 hours a day ,365 days a year, operations
• Must be able to read, comprehend, inspect, calculate, count, retain and make sound decisions.
• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, use and reach with hands, arms and fingers.
• There is potential exposure to high stress situations and requirement to be available for emergency response as required by the needs of service.

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Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Represented/Union Position

Visa Sponsored Position

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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