Power Plant Technology
Mission:
The mission of the Power Plant Technology Program is to provide educational opportunities directed toward performing power plant-related activities with safety, reliability, and efficiency consistent with the concepts and practices of the industry.
Important Information:
Power Plant Technology is Now Available On-line
Edison Electric Institute
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is a utility industry sponsored R&D organization. Over 80%of the investor owned utilities in the U.S. are active members of EEI. In recognition of the large number of trained, knowledgeable Power Plant Operators and maintenance Technicians that are being needed in the industry due to new power plants being constructed and the aging work force, EEI has partnered with technical colleges, community colleges, and four year universities around the country. EEI has developed a series of pre-employment instruments that all member for employment. These instruments are the Maintenance Selection System (MASS) and Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) instruments. Through the Technical Education Partnership with EEI, FHTC is able to offer it's Power Plant Technology (PPT) on campus Students the opportunity to participate in the EEI Career Assessment Diagnostic Instrument (CADI) upon entry into the program. The CADI provides feedback to the student on each of the six categories of both the MASS and OSS, identifying those areas needing strengthening to be successful in meeting the member cut off scores for the MASS and POSS.
Upon completion of the program, the on-campus student will be given the opportunity to take the actual MASS and POSS. At that time the student will be asked to complete a geographical preference form, identifying the areas of the U.S. he/she is willing to work. Their scores from both the MASS and POSS will be entered into a national database, available to EEI member utilities. When a member utility has an opening for a maintenance technician or operator, they have the ability to search this data base to identify potential employees who have successfully completed the MASS and/or POSS, are interested in working in that geographical area, and have successfully completed training such as that offered through the Flint Hills Technical College Power Plant Technology program. The utility then may contact the potential employee to make them aware of the position opening.
Description:
Students completing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Power Plant Technology will be skilled and knowledgeable in the following areas:
- Principles of electrical circuits
- Principles of electrical generation
- General power plant operation and organization
- Practices necessary to work safely in power plant environments
- Diagnostic tools used to maintain power plant equipment
- Power plant mechanical and electrical system print reading Identification, construction, operation, and application of power plant components
- Rigging, lifting and moving power plant equipment
Time in the lab will be determined by the course segment being taught. A four-week internship conducted at Wolf Creek Generating Station or other Power Plant as arranged will provide experience in realistic job settings.
Career Paths:
Employment opportunities for men and women in the Power Plant Technology program include:
- Combined Cycle or Cogeneration Power Plants
- Fossil Fuel Power Plants
- Thermal Power Plants
- Hydro-Electric Power Plants
- Nuclear Power Plants
As the industry is experiencing an aging work force, the need for qualified employees to fill entry level positions is on the rise. The utility industry has experienced a very stable work force over the past 40+ years, and as a result is experiencing a large aging work force. With electrical usage in the US projected to increase 50% by 2035, many new generating facilities are being planned or under construction. The need to staff these new plants along with the need to replace the pool of retirees over the next 5 to 20 years, identifies a huge shortage of knowledgeable candidates to meet this demand. Projections for the nuclear industry alone from retirees indicate a work force shortage of 20,000 maintenance and operations candidates over the next ten years. Some projections identify an even greater number.
The Industry:
The electrical power generating industry is comprised of several different types of electricity-producing power plants including: Coal, Nuclear, Gas, Hydroelectric, Petroleum, Geothermal, Solar, Waste and Wind. Students successfully completing the Power Plant Technology program will have technical knowledge that prepares them for advanced training and qualification at nuclear, fossil fuel and other types of electrical power generating facilities.
The Program:
Prerequisites
- Must be 18 years of age to participate in the internship.
- Must have graduated from high school, or have received a GED diploma.
- PPTAdmission
Instruction
The Power Plant Technology program offers a technical certificate option that can be completed in two semesters of study. Students also have the option to continue their studies and earn the AAS degree. Through partnerships with Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation and Westar Energy, a four-week internship is required for the AAS degree.
Program Cost Sheet
Power Plant Admission RequirementsCourses
The Associate of Applied Science degree, with a major in Power Plant Technology, is a one year accelerated program that contains technical, advanced technical and general education courses. Graduates will possess the knowledge and skills, acquired through classroom, laboratory and internship experiences, needed to partake of advanced industry-sponsored training for the operation, installation, servicing and repairing of power plant equipment. A program advisory committee, composed of power plant representatives, annually updates industry expectations and career requirements.
Associate of Applied Science Degree Program Outcomes
• Explains fission and other combustion processes.
• Demonstrates knowledge of renewable energy sources.
• Demonstrates knowledge of heat transfer, fluid flow fundamentals and basic materials science.
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The Power Plant technical certificate program, which contains technical courses, is two semesters in length. A program advisory committee, composed of power plant representatives, annually updates industry expectations and career requirements. For graduates wanting to continue their education, certificate courses are transferable to the Power Plant Associate of Applied Science degree program.
Technical Certificate Program Outcomes
• Calculates and transposes metric and SI units of measure.
• Applies mechanical principles.
• Knowledgeable of basic electrical laws, power sources, and circuits.
• Demonstrates knowledge of power production methods.
• Uses hand and power tools safely and efficiently.
• Knowledgeable of power plant system configuration and operation.
• Knowledgeable of corrosion chemistry and pH.
• Demonstrates foundation for computer skills.
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Advisory Members
Robert Neer
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp., Training Division
PO Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
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Brent Dale
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp, Manager Maintenance
PO Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
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Steve Henry
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp, Manager Operations
PO Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
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Robert Blecha
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp, Superintendent Maintenance
PO Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
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Mike Westman
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp, Manager Training
PO Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
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Larry Scott
Manager Lyon Coffey Electric (Retired)
2007 Coronado Ave
Emporia, KS 66801
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Robin Seele
Westar Energy, Director Safety, Training & Loss Control
818 South Kansas Ave, PO Box 889
Topeka, KS 66601
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Mark Schreiber
Westar Energy, Manager Governmental Affairs
818 South Kansas Ave, PO Box 889
Topeka, KS 66601
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Mike Chamberlin
Westar Energy, Maintenance Training Coordinator
818 South Kansas Ave, PO Box 889
Topeka, KS 66601
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Joe Drassen
Westar Energy, Manager Field and Plant Training
818 South Kansas Ave, PO Box 889
Topeka, KS 66601
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