Under the general direction of the Market Operations Manager, within a team environment, the Power Trader I position is responsible for optimizing Manitoba Hydro's system assets, arranging hourly energy and related product and service transactions with Independent System Operators (ISOs) and other market participants while maintaining and enhancing business relationships with extra-provincial customers.

My career with Manitoba Hydro started at the production end in the generating stations, moved to system control where grid power is balanced between generation, load and exports, into training operators and now I'm at the trading end: real time power purchases and sales! Hydro supports many opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Manitoba Hydro's System Operators monitor and control our province's Bulk Electric System. My duties include supporting my trainers while they design and deliver System Operator training, including NERC Standards as well as courses in system operator tools, procedures, policies and safety. We collaborate with Emergency Operations to create and deliver system restoration workshops with emphasis on blackstart procedures twice per year.Our goal this year is to establish new processes that will enable us to maintain our teaching material libraries and exams more efficiently, allowing for more rapid updates to both technical information and teaching methodologies.Specialties: Practicing Perfection Level 1 Certified (Human Performance)Certificate in Adult and Continuing EducationManitoba Hydro System Operator CertificateManitoba Hydro Technical Operator CertificateNERC Certified at Reliability Coordinator levelCertified Engineering Technician

As part of a team our objective was to design and deliver training to system operators in 4 control centres around the kingdom. Delivering the training took place over approximately 4 months in two trips that took place in 2010 and 2011. I continued to put together training proposals for MHI until my departure in 2020.

Reporting to the Division Manager, the Department Manager is responsible for the leadership and management of the System Control Department. Major responsibilities include:Safe, reliable and efficient real time operation of the Manitoba Hydro bulk electrical system. (All Generation, Transmission, and Sub Transmission facilities including HVDC and Interconnection lines as well as the operation of the former CDCC control centre area of responsibility.)Providing technical and logistical support during routine and emergency operations to system operating personnel. Managing the rotating shift schedule and training/certification for 60 real time operating personnel. Management and control of capital and operating budgets is a prime responsibility.

Main responsibilities include creating and delivering system operator training using current Adult Education theory, while following industry best practice guidelines. Utilizing the modern principles of a systematic approach to instructional design; training is developed that allows our operators to maintain accreditation with industry standards.

Under the guidance of a Generation or Network Supervisor, monitors the operation of the Bulk Electric System in Manitoba. Operates high voltage equipment including transmission system circuit breakers, hydraulic generators, HVDC Link equipment. Troubleshooting subtransmission and transmission outages. Emergency response to abnormal operating conditions. Voltage control on the bulk electric system and also monitoring import and export power flows.

Hydraulic and Converter Station Technical Operator. Station Operators man these stations 24/7. Basically overseeing the day to day operation of 1200 MW hydraulic Generating Stations and 2000 MW HVDC Converter Stations. Day to day operations include monitoring all equipment and auxilliaries, clearing equipment for maintenance purposes, emergency response, starting and stopping generators and valve groups.