Power Trader

When you think about electricity, you probably think about power plants that generate electricity.

But what happens when those plants can’t produce enough power to meet demand?

And what if there’s extra electricity being generated?

Too much or too little power can make the electric transmission grid unreliable. TVA’s Real-Time Trading Group helps keep everything balanced.

“Our days are always changing, always different,” said Weston Dunlap, manager of the group.

A Day in the Life

TVA’s transmission grid doesn’t just serve the Valley region. It’s connected to the rest of the country through a national power highway called the interconnection.

Dunlap and the Real-Time Trading Group buy and sell energy.

“The reliability of the system takes precedent over everything,” he said.

When TVA’s power plants generate electricity, that power has to go somewhere. The trading group constantly monitors how much electricity TVA has or needs. They also keep a close eye on how much electricity can be bought on the energy marketplace.

That purchased energy helps TVA meet energy demands on cold mornings or hot summer afternoons.

“You can think you know what to expect but there are so many scenarios and variables – weather, generation, economics – that affect the grid,” Dunlap said. “There’s never a dull moment.”

Becoming a Power Trader

Power traders usually have a degree in economics, finance, business or related field.

This career requires:

• Analysis skills
• Math skills
• Decision-making skills

Internships provide real-world experience and prepare graduates for careers in power trading.