OL3 shift operations - years in the making

7.7.2016

​ OL3’s control room will be more than ready when the plant unit is commissioned, as its staff is already undergoing a thorough several-years’ training programme.

Getting TVO’s control room team prepared for OL3 operation involves training, testing, practice and numerous debriefings. Shift Supervisor trainee Janne Ruohiainen is impressed by the comprehensive process.

”It goes without saying that we need to safeguard our expertise in different ways. That way we can have absolute confidence in ourselves and others. We are responsible for a very important matter – the control of a nuclear power plant.”

Rouhiainen has worked at Olkiluoto since 2005. He has been through the meticulous training programme, which has prepared him for the job of OL3 Shift Supervisor.

”As well as technical aspects, we rehearse shift work in groups, and practice the supervision, administration and management of tasks that shift work entails.”

A simulator builds competence in different situations

Before becoming officially qualified, a supervisor has to go through simulator training, which provides experience in various plant unit operating conditions. The training culminates in written and oral examinations and a performance assessment of skills in the simulator, which is able to mirror a specific plant unit.

”We have to renew our licence at set intervals, so our careers include extensive assessment of our competencies. If you want to be a supervisor in the control room of a nuclear power plant in Finland, you need a licence from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).”

In addition to the shift supervisor, the shift team includes reactor operator, turbine operator and sub-system operator, as well as two field operators to ensure the control room is properly manned at all times.

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OL3 Control room team from the left: Jone Ketonen, Janne Rouhiainen, Robert Rego, Miikka Heinisalo, Marko Harju, Antti Saarinen and Ville Mattila.