SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Control Load Variations on a Hydro Power Generating Unit in Generating and Synchronous Compensation Mode from a Control Room 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
13520  Control Load Variations on a Hydro Power Generating Unit in Generating and Synchronous Compensation Mode from a Control Room 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Power Plant Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to prepare plant for service, control load variations from a centralised control room, monitor load variation conditions, optimise load variation conditions, control hydraulic process, loading, inventory control and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of hydro power plant operation and control. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. Listens, questions, observes, describes accurately and aligns with the sender`s need.
2. Understands and respects people`s values and beliefs, as well as those of the organisation and manages own
actions in line with the above.
3. Understands own development requirements.
4. Understands concepts, terms and theory of the specified technical field covering mathametics, science, electrical theory and power plant theory.
5. Understands the company`s vision and manages own actions in line with it.
6. Specific organisation safety standards
7. Basic first aid
8. Fire fighting
9. Emergency preparedness
11. Problem solving and decision making
12. Environmental awareness
13. Organisation understanding
14. Competent in performing all relevant operating outcomes on all power plant support systems. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
1. Minimum load to emergency generation
2. Reactive power: maximum import to maximum export in generating and synchronous compensation modes. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Prepare plant for service. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of instruction for control load variation confirmed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Tasks assigned to relevant staff to enable required events to happen according to control load variation plan. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Plant preparation progress is monitored to verify compliance with the planning schedule. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Plant parameters are checked and necessary control room operations are performed during the preparation of the plant in accordance with operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Preparation of plant as performed by staff is verified by reviewing completed documentation with the relevant
configuration control procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Completed documentation is processed according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Plant conditions are communicated according to administrative procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Control load variations from a centralised control room. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Plant conditions are assessed to determine load variation requirements according to plant procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Legitimacy of instruction for control load variation is confirmed according to administrative requirements and
workplace requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Pre-start checks and precautions are performed according to operating procedures and administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Startup performed according to operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Control load variation conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Re-commissioning to control load variation performed according to procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Monitor load variation conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Plant startup conditions are monitored and recorded according to operating procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Out of normal conditions are identified, reported, analysed and appropriate action taken according to procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Out of normal conditions communicated are reviewed and followed-up according to specific operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Optimise load variation conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Plant long term capability and or efficiency is assured by optimising control load variation parameters according to operating procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Control hydraulic process. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Plant pressure flow is controlled according to operating procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Out of normal conditions are identified and acted upon according to operating procedure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Loading. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Legitimacy of loading instructions is confirmed according to administrative and regulatory requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Startup conditions are met prior to loading according to specific requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Production process initiated and loaded according to specified requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Production capabilities and design specifications are maintained during loading according to technical
specifications. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Production process parameters are documented and communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Inventory control. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Note: exclusive of Human Resources 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Material and resources required for control load variation are verified as being available according to procedural requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Inventory availability is maintained according to specific requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Inventory status is communicated according to administrative requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Safety and regulatory requirements are adhered to. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8 
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Hydro Power Plant Operation and Control. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Priority setting is understood during plant operations and controlled according to optimisation principles. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Impact on environmental factors are understood in accordance with organisational environmental policies. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Mechanical and electrical plant component application and interrelation to the plant is known and understood according to relevant theories. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Process control and protection system application and interrelation to the plant processes are understood according to relevant design theories (Range: binary and analog system). 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Regulatory requirements are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
6. Dangers of process chemicals in use are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
7. Incidents related to specific plant operations are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
8. Energy conversion process understanding demonstrated according to specific hydro plant requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
9. Thermodynamic and fluid mechanic processes understood according to hydro plant requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
10. Operating philosophy pertaining to plant operating procedures is known and understood. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Evaluation of documentation by SAQA and registration thereof
  • According to SAQA accreditation requirements

    Standard Generating Group Hydro Power Plant Operations 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Understands the overall energy conversion process and the impact the specific plant has on it.
    2. Ability to set priorities for self and own job.
    3. Awareness of and concern about the impact his/her actions have on the environment.
    4. Knows and understands the theory of application of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation plant components and it`s interrelation to the plant.
    5. Awareness, understanding and adherance to the regulatory requirements relevant to his/her plant area.
    6. Identifies process chemicals in the plant area and knows the dangers thereof.
    7. Understands the lessons learnt from trends and or incidents related to the specific plant. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying & solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization, and community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
    a. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
    b. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
    c. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
    d. Exploring education and career opportunities;
    e. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology used in this unit standard is consistent with the following standards
  • Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

    A candidate will be regarded not yet competent should the safety of people, plant and materials be jeopardised during any stage of the assessment on any criteria of this unit standard. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23736   National Diploma: Hydro Power Plant Process Control  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-02-18  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  61570   National Diploma: Power Plant Process Control Operations  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. MPUMELELO TRAINING 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.