Michael Lutz

NERC certified system operator, tasked with balancing generation and load to maintain ACE.

Real time operations in a control center including:

Oasis approval and curtailments

Power Pool adherance

Hourly checkouts

Monitor all Tie line metering

Monitor all generation metering

Prépare daily reports for System conditions and for day ahead planning

During my time at Cherokee, I have had the opportunity to work fill in as needed as the supervisor on shift. While still supporting the role of Controls Specialist this includes making decisions on calling in support craft, scheduling personnel and making operational decisions that support the goal of generation while not compromising on the Safety of my crews or equipment.

• Respond to normal and upset operating conditions while maintaining safety of crew and equipment.
• Control electric utility power plant equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators using automated controls, and semi-automatic controls
• Regulate equipment and unit(s) operations and conditions based on instrument data and control schemes
• Take regulatory action, based on readings, from instrumentation at regular intervals
• Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs and reports
• Communicate with System Operator(s) to regulate and coordinate line voltages and frequencies
• Monitor and correct operating conditions as needed based on trending

AS a USO I was responsible for creating and issuing LOTO's for major outages. I also was responsible for safe operation of site operations and would fill in or support every roll in the process as needed. A big part of being a USO included new generator operators and Auxiliary operators.

• Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
• Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
• Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
• Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
• Inspect records or logbook entries or communicate with plant personnel. to assess equipment operating status.
• Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
• Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
• Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
• Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
• Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
• Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
• Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
• Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.

• Supervised construction of multiple projects from start to finish by establishing construction crew goals, timelines and project scopes to be completed on time and on budget.
• Read specifications or blueprints to determine locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
• Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
• Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
• Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
• Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
• Hoist steel beams, girders, and columns into place, using cranes, or signal hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
• Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guardrails
• Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.
• Dismantle structures or equipment.
• Align machines and equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, and plumb bobs.
• Attach moving parts and subassemblies to basic assembly unit, using hand tools and power tools.
• Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
• Weld, repair, and fabricate equipment or machinery.
• Fabricate and dismantle parts, equipment, and machines using cutting torch or other cutting equipment.
• Used appropriate safety measures and encouraged other team members to do same in effort to avoid job site injuries.