Relaying schemes are evolving from analog controls to digital measuring and data streaming, and according to Scott Short, solutions manager at Doble Engineering Co., new skill sets will be required to test and maintain these systems.
“Pursue those skills to help you develop personally and professionally,” Short tells students in seminars and technical training sessions.
Short, who works with Doble’s protection-related equipment and software, will be presenting Data Management in the Regulatory Compliance Age at Doble’s 2nd Annual Protective Relay Seminar from July 31 – Aug. 2, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The session will look at today’s testing environment that requires test program compliance in accordance with NERC requirements stated in PRC-005. Verification of that compliance requires producing results and records within a timely manner. This collection and management process can be time consuming and costly. This presentation talks about the requirements and the different methods used to collect and manage that data. The session will also discuss the development of software solutions designed to gather and verify relay testing programs for successful management and verification in the areas of the NERC compliance.
“Everyone in the utility industry in North America that has transmission and generation assets must comply with a testing program and must maintain documentation to prove that the tests were performed. It is important for all parties to understand what PRC-005 requires them to be compliant with their testing program,” Short said. “Everyone--the technician, the engineer, the program administrator and the senior management of each company--must know the role they play in the process and how it affects their jobs. This subject is important because it shows my students how to test and document effectively and efficiently.”
Short brings 20 years of experience in the electrical engineering field to his training. His specialties include the areas of electrical maintenance and testing. He spent six years as a Naval Nuclear Operator with the U.S. Navy, worked as a relay and maintenance engineer specialist for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and was a support engineer for FirstEnergy Corp. In 2000, Short joined Doble Engineering Co. as a regional sales manager.
He has always been interested in technology, and right after high school, he joined the Navy, which led him to electrical maintenance.
“After my military service, I wanted to learn more about the principals of electrical engineering so I attended college to earn my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. I’ve always have liked designing and solving problems related to control circuits and systems,” Short said.
Since he has done the job that his students are doing now, he can relate to them and the problems they encounter. One of the best ways to teach is by example, Short said, and he can be that example.
“Utilizing real-world experience in practical applications to demonstrate proper testing techniques makes the best lesson,” he said.
Short also learns from his students and trainees as much as they learn from him. He enjoys getting to work with “very creative and bright people from the utility industry to create and design solutions for protection testing with one of the best solutions providers in the electrical industry,” he said.
Short steps away from his technical job to play golf as often as he can. He likes the competition with himself and his friends. “I find that playing golf helps me process information so that I can resolve issues,” he said.
