Inside a hilltop building overlooking Chickamauga Dam, a group of Reliability Coordinators sits quietly at desks facing a large, semicircular screen.
On the screen is an image that resembles an arcade game from the ’80s – a vibrant maze of pathways representing the grid. This real-time visualization of substations, lines and power flow is depicted in neon colors and high-contrast view – not for aesthetics, but for instant recognition.
Chuck Nance is one of those Reliability Coordinators. He and his cohort are responsible for ensuring the bulk electric system remains stable and secure across TVA’s footprint.
“You cannot get complacent in the job,” Chuck said. “It may look like a video game on that screen, but you can’t lose track of the importance of what you’re doing. Behind the screens are people relying on you.”
Chuck monitors conditions and manages the congestion to maintain the integrity of the grid. He is in charge of making sure the grid operates safely despite events that may occur. And he doesn’t take that responsibility lightly.
“Right here is a letter from NERC, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation,” said Chuck, pointing to a framed letter at the entrance of the control room. “In this letter it states that the on-shift operator has the authority to make decisions impacting the integrity of the bulk electrical system without any input. It’s a huge responsibility.”
In high-pressure moments – such as power outages during extreme weather – every second counts. Chuck is given both the autonomy and the trust to act immediately to protect the stability of a grid that serves millions of people across seven states.
“Reliability means that your portions of the electrical system can withstand a loss,” Chuck said. “We try to anticipate as much as we can, but sometimes we sit down at this desk and wait to react to what happens on the system. And we have to remember that every move we make is people-dependent.”
Chuck’s TVA roots run deep.
“My dad was a hydro operator at TVA. The old-timers used to tell everybody I was born on the turbine floor at Fort Loudoun,” he laughed. “I’ve been around it all my life.”
Chuck began as an electrician, worked at a nuclear facility in Oak Ridge and then became a transmission operator. His extensive experience eventually took him down the path to training. He has taken new reliability coordinators and transmission operators under his wing, showing them the ropes of this critical position. As part of his mentorship, he emphasizes the challenges of the job.
When millions of people are counting on you, it’s not just another day at the office. Chuck’s position, and the positions of those around him, are critical to the stability of TVA’s system.
Whatever the condition, Chuck is behind that desk keeping careful watch – so that homes, hospitals and businesses have uninterrupted, reliable power when they need it most.