Renewables Operations Center (ROC) Operator

About the role

The Renewables Operations Center (ROC) is a 24/7/365 control room that 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.

Key focus areas include operations and asset control (dispatching and controlling generation assets, monitoring operational screens, collaborating with site technicians), water and reservoir management (managing reservoirs and control systems, floodgate operations, FERC license compliance, dam failure drills), and safety, compliance, and communication (site safety, operational decisions, outage negotiations, risk-informed decision-making, curtailment of surplus solar generation, battery storage adjustments).

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
• 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).

Qualifications

Required

• Associate degree and 2 years of work experience; in lieu of degree, 4 years of operational/generation station experience
• Ability to obtain unescorted NERC access
• Proven competency in ROC computer applications
• Completed all Level 2 JPMs AND successfully pass the ROC Board Evaluation within the first 12 months

Preferred

• 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 performed at a company facility; must live within a reasonable daily commute (not greater than 50 miles one way)
• Office / Control Room environment
• Rotating shift coverage of 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• 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
• Potential exposure to high stress situations and requirement to be available for emergency response as required by the needs of service

Additional details

Travel requirements: 5–15%. Relocation assistance: not provided. This is not a represented/union position. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must possess the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.