Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1) Scope: 

1.1) Descriptor 

This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor Under Frequency Load Shedding facilities for isolated and integrated generation/network systems.

Application of the Unit 

2) 

This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

License to practice 

3)  

The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practise in the workplace. However, practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety.

Prerequisite Unit(s) 

4)  

Competencies 

4.1) 

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed.

There are no pre-requisite units.

Literacy and numeracy skills 

4.2)  

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following levels. A description of what each level entails is provided in Section 2.3.1 Language, Literacy and Numeracy.

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Employability Skills 

5)  

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6)  Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard unit

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Plan for Load Shedding

1.1

Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site requirements

1.2

Work, plant and resource requirements are identified from relevant information and documentation

1.3

Checks are carried out in accordance with enterprise and site requirements

1.4

Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training

2

Set Under Frequency Load Shedding

2.1

Individual Load Source data is collated, assessed, evaluated and prioritised in accordance with enterprise/site procedures.

2.2

Data is assessed against trends to determine suitability for load shed selection.

2.3

Load data is grouped and summed to match generator/units output into stages of priority.

2.4

Selected load shedding is implemented.

2.5

Staged load data is monitored and recalculated to detect deviations from parameters in accordance with enterprise procedures.

3

Respond to Under Frequency Load Shedding Operation

3.1

Load data is monitored and selections adjusted to maintain values within permissible parameters.

3.2

Enterprise procedures relating to deviations are followed and appropriate stakeholders are consulted and course of corrective action determined.

4

Complete documentation

4.1

Documentation is updated and status are reported and logged in accordance with enterprise/site procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

8)  This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of monitoring the implementation of under frequency load shedding.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

The extent of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills required follows:

KS01-PO355B The implementation of under frequency load shedding

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired for safe working practices of:

T1 Relevant environmental, occupational health and safety legislation and regulations

T2 Enterprise procedures

T3 Plant drawings and manufacturers manuals

T4 Introduction to and typical arrangements of power production plant

T5 Relevant plant and equipment, its location and operating parameters

T6 Switchgear types and characteristics

T7 Electrical protection types and characteristics

T8 Electrical fundamentals

T9 Transformers types and characteristics

T10 Relevant state and territory regulations

T11 Plant status

T12 Plant operating parameters

T13 Enterprise recording procedures

T14 Systems components and interactions, load shedding schemes, customer prioritisation, stakeholder communication and generator capacities.

KS02-PO355B The implementation of under frequency load shedding

Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria:

T1 Interpret plant drawings and manufacturers manuals

T2 Apply relevant state and territory regulations

T3 Identify plant status

T4 Prepare plant/equipment for operation

T5 Communicate effectively

T6 Co-ordinate the operation of plant and equipment;

T7 Apply data analysis techniques and tools

T8 Recognise abnormal plant operating conditions

T9 Apply or determine appropriate corrective actions required

T10 Plan and prioritise work

T11 Interpret remote indication of plant status and condition

T12 Set load shedding within operation parameters, forecast system load shifting, scheduling load shedding to match generator output.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9)  This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment 

9.1) 

Longitude competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

9.2) 

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all pre-requisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines – UEP12”. Evidence shall also comprise:

• A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement
• Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

• Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

• Knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational Health and Safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures
• Plan and Prepare for equipment operation
• Set Under Frequency Load-Shedding
• Respond to Deviations
• Analyse system/plant data
• Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

9.3) 

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this unit.

Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work.

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment’, evidence should show competency working, in limited spaces, with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and methods and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment 

9.4) 

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Section 1.3.00 Assessment Guidelines.Note: Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units 

9.5) 

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed.

Nil

RANGE STATEMENT 

10)  This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Key indicators may include frequency, voltages, and currents, plant temperatures, power flows, power factor, generation plant load capabilities, protection settings, visual and audible indicators, analogue and digital displays and load shedding requirements.

Systems, plant and equipment may include generators, unit co-ordinated control system; generator circuit breaker/transformer; unit auxiliary switchboards; electricity market, auto loading procedures, prime mover governing system.

Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant State and federal legislation and Australian standards.

Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise operating instructions; equipment and alarm manuals; dedicated computer equipment; enterprise standing instructions and plant notes; enterprise log books; market load profile forecasts; electricity market bidding information; and manufacturer operation and maintenance manuals.

Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), remote or local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible).

Communications may be by means of telephone, facsimile, two way radio, pager, computer (electronic mail) and operating logs (written or verbal).

Appropriate personnel for consultation, to give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader; operating staff; technical and engineering officers or equivalent; maintenance personnel; and contractor staff.

The environment may be remote from plant and equipment being operated; (operation is assisted by remote indicators of plant status and other parameters monitored); during night periods; during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions; and in wet/noisy/dusty areas.

Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Section 2.1 Preliminary Information and Glossaries.

Competency Field 

11)  

Operations.