POWERGRAMS

6 The instrumentation and controls (I&C) required to operate a power plant can be aptly compared to the body's nervous system, receiving signals and sending messages that allow the physical being to function. Indeed, the complex I&C systems at Alabama Power's six generating plants – comprised of thousands of sensors, field devices and instruments, including programmable logic controllers and the distributed control system (DCS) – are critical to the production of safe, reliable electricity. That is why maintaining these systems requires a well-trained, knowledgeable force of I&C personnel, said Plant Gorgas' Greg Vines. "It's almost like an elite squad," said the I&C team leader, who has worked at Alabama Power for 31 years. "In I&C, you must understand how to develop logic and the human/machine interface that the unit operators use to control the plant." I&C staff must know operational values of equipment, understand electrical theories and the hardware of the DCS, create algorithms and logic to control the process, design computer graphics and troubleshoot problems on equipment, instruments and devices. "The I&C role is very important because at any time, any change on the control system could directly impact safety of personnel and equipment," Vines said. "We must always be conscious of any change that's made to the system because of the incredibly high level of energy being controlled when a unit is operating. Equipment is being controlled at high speeds, under both tremendous pressures and temperatures." Until recently, I&C staff at Alabama Power and Southern Company were trained on the job. Employees increased their knowledge by transitioning to various plant areas, eventually building the required skill set to perform I&C repairs and troubleshoot. However, I&C academies at Central Georgia Technical College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – in partnership with Southern Company – are rapidly becoming game-changers for I&C industry training. Southern Company has hired 36 graduates who earned an associate's degree from these two-year programs. Plants Gorgas and Barry have hired recent graduates. During the past year, Vines has added five I&C employees – ages 20-21 – to his roster. Trenton Cook, Jonathan Coulter, Emily Green, Blakley Rodgers and Tyler Whitley are rounding out Gorgas' I&C staff, joining I&C veterans DeWayne Barrentine, Clint Cook, Phillip Garrett, Phillip Gurganus and Johnny Johnson. Since 2009, four longtime Gorgas I&C employees have retired, Vines said. Ensuring that Gorgas and other plants have access to skilled I&C talent is why Plant Manager Susan Mayfield has devoted much time and energy the past three years as a Southern Company academy sponsor. She, with Michael Gilland, HR business consultant, support "get to know" meetings between students and Gorgas departmental managers, and attend job candidate interviews. "In the past, we pulled from Controls engineers and electricians," said Mayfield, a plant manager for 10 years. "We need a diverse pool to select from, and this program has been meeting our needs. I&C is the nervous system of the plant – we can't do anything if our instrumentation and controls aren't working." Technologies change so rapidly that there is a constant learning curve requiring years of training, Vines said. In Johnson's view, it takes at least 3 to 5 years on the job to be proficient, and "to be great, it's 10 years or more. It takes time in the seat, self-motivation and a drive to learn it, going and looking and doing," added the 30-year veteran of Plants Miller and Gorgas. "There has to be the work ethic and the desire to support the unit and the operator, whatever it takes to make that unit run reliably and efficiently. You have to be willing to go and do the extra mile to find the solution." Vines' work in Fuel Handling, Mechanics and Welding, and his training in Operations, Electrical and Instrumentation, and I&C readied him for the role. He said technical college programs are opening I&C opportunities. "We're growing this young talent," Vines said. "I would have loved to have had that training available when I was that age." Alabama Power offers competitive salaries for I&C, said Tom McNeal, Workforce Development specialist - Technical Training. Even so, with industries nationwide seeking experienced I&C workers, the pool is limited. Two-year training is allowing Alabama Power to hire employees who are just starting their careers to come in and grow into their roles, he said. "We're really getting some top-notch people," said McNeal. "Our plan is to bring them in, build them up and get them the exposure to our control systems." Vines and Mayfield said they are excited about the promise of these new, eager-to-learn employees. "I really love the industrial environment and electricity," said Whitley, who has worked at Gorgas for seven months. "I love being around the distributed control system, interacting with different people every day." The plant's family atmosphere also attracted Whitley, a graduate of Georgia Northwestern Technical College. "When my daughter was born, they sent out a Gorgas email, letting everybody know that my baby was born," Whitley said. "It really meant a lot to me, and I just love the atmosphere, because I've worked at places where that's not the case. It really does make a difference in the partnership and work environment. When everybody is close and can work together, it makes going to work a lot easier." By Donna Cope I&C academy 'game-changer' for providing skilled workers EDUCATION Johnson, Green, Vines and Whitley confer at Plant Gorgas. Photos by Christopher Jones

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