Michael works as a Control Room Operator at Elia
Elia builds and operates Belgium's high-voltage grid, with Control Room Operators who ensure that power is properly distributed and make adjustments where necessary. A job for those, like Michael, who can handle the stress.
Letting millions of families cook together
“It's our job to make sure we have a stable power grid. In my case, the Antwerp region, Limburg and part of Brussels. For example, when lots of people start cooking in the evening, we make sure there's enough electricity. We add a bit more here, a bit less there.
The longer you do this job, the more you can think ahead. During my first night on the job I did nothing but make adjustments in response to what I saw happening. But now I'm much better able to predict what's going to happen. The switch from summer time to winter time? Well, when that happens you know you'll need to add a bit of juice.”
Even the mayor listens to us
“Power has to get where it's needed – safely. And at 70,000 volts, 'safe' is what counts. After all, we're talking about the lives of maintenance technicians and local residents. Only when we give the go-ahead and can guarantee safety will we turn on or shut off the power.
You have to stand firm. Our number is posted on every high-voltage substation for emergencies. Of course, the police, fire brigade and mayors want any emergency to be resolved as quickly as possible. So do we. But only if it can be done safely – and that is our decision to make.”
First coffee, then the rest
“It's not a job for the quiet type. Nor is it for those who get stressed easily. You have to be stress-resistant and you have to love coffee. You have to make quick decisions under pressure and keep your cool. All while keeping seemingly countless factors in mind.
Before you start this job, you'll be thoroughly screened for technical knowledge, stress resistance and who you are. That's followed by a very intensive training course lasting about two years on safety, high voltage (because you don't learn that at school) and, very importantly, your region.”
Every nook and cranny of your region
“You have to know your high-voltage substations well, all the specifics. It's like with cars. A 10-year-old Opel Astra drives differently but just as well as last year's model. And a mechanic knows that working on one is completely different than on the other. So you have to take that into account.
The last thing we want to see is a blackout anywhere. That rarely happens because there is always a double power supply. If one supply fails, the other takes over. Of course, we are aware of scheduled maintenance and no sudden repairs are carried out without our knowledge.”
A select club
“This job comes with a lot of responsibility. Lives literally depend on it. You have to make decisions and take action independently, all within a system that never stops running. Three weeks on and three weeks off. I wouldn't want it any other way, but everyone's different.
There are only 40 people doing this in the entire country. In other words, it's a select club. This is largely due to the fact that this is a unique sector. The high-voltage grid is built and operated solely by Elia. We are the arteries of the energy market.”
Interested in a job as a Control Room Operator? Then check out our vacancy.
