Human performance is the capability for people to perform tasks based on guidelines provided by policies, procedures, processes, and expectations. It is influenced by various factors, such as knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, emotions, motivations, and organizational culture. Human performance can have a significant impact on the reliability and security of the electric power grid, which is a complex and interdependent system that connects multiple infrastructural domains such as agriculture, transportation, communications, and manufacturing.
People can make errors for many reasons—such as being tired, stressed, distracted, and/or having insufficient training, poorly designed procedures, or unclear expectations. These errors can lead to wrong decisions or actions that cause equipment failures, power outages, or even accidents that compromise safety. Sometimes, people deviate or misunderstand the rules, whether on purpose or by accident, which can put the power grid at risk of things like outages or security incidents. These issues are important due to the potential of harm to electric utility workers or the public.
Human performance is considered a risk factor to the electricity grid because it can affect the grid’s ability to cope with external threats and internal challenges. Improving human performance requires a holistic approach that considers the interactions between individuals, teams, organizations, and systems. It also requires a strategic approach that identifies and manages the critical risk indicators (CRIs) that reflect the state of the grid and its interdependent domains. By enhancing human performance, the electric power grid can become more resilient and adaptable to the changing environment and demands.
Entities can implement a variety of ways to improve human performance in the electric grid, depending on the specific goals, challenges, and opportunities of each situation. Some possible strategies are:
- Enhancing the training and education of the grid workforce, especially on the new technologies, standards, and practices that are emerging in the modernized grid. This can help improve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the grid personnel, as well as foster a culture of safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.
- Implementing human performance improvement programs that apply the principles and methods of human factors engineering, organizational psychology, and behavioral science to identify and address the root causes of human errors, violations, and dependencies. These programs can help reduce the frequency and severity of human-induced events, as well as increase the effectiveness and efficiency of human performance.
- Leveraging the capabilities of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and automation, to augment and complement human performance. Technology can help optimize the allocation of tasks and responsibilities between humans and machines, enhance the situational awareness and decision making of the grid operators, and provide feedback and guidance for improving human performance.
