# Plan the substation outage “Plan the substation outage” is an outage planner job simulation on FinderK. You work at Northvale Electricity Networks, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 60 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice outage planner work. No previous work experience is required. - Role: Outage planner - Industry: Energy and utilities - Career: Facilities and energy management (https://finderk.com/careers/facilities-and-energy-management) - Level: Intermediate - Time: About 60 minutes, 3 assignments - Access: Included in Plus - Created by: FinderK - Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Calendar, Chat, Notes - Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/plan-the-substation-outage - Last updated: 2026-10-10 ## Summary A failing transformer must be swapped by crane before winter, with 2,168 customers kept on supply through a neighbouring feeder that can carry only so much. Find a window the load allows, look after the people who depend on medical equipment, and replan when a pre-check cuts the backfeed. ## Full brief You are an outage planner at an electricity network company. A 1979 transformer must be lifted out and replaced in a six hour daylight window, while a neighbouring feeder carries the load up to 4.2 megawatts. You read the demand profiles, choose the window, plan notices and personal contact for customers on home oxygen and dialysis, and book the work. Then a pre-check finds a defect that cuts the backfeed, and you must decide between a generator, a different time or interrupting customers. Automated checks confirm your figures and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role. ## What is Northvale Electricity Networks? Northvale Electricity Networks is a fictional electricity distribution company. This case is the planned replacement of a failing transformer at Fenwick Road substation, which supplies 2,168 customers, including seven who depend on electrical medical equipment. It runs from Monday 5 to Thursday 22 October 2026. The outage planner chooses the window, books the work and may hire a generator up to 10,000 pounds; any planned customer interruption beyond switching needs the outage planning manager. ## Who do you play? You are the outage planner in the Network outage planning team. You choose planned outage windows within the planned outage rules, book them and may hire a mobile generator up to 10,000 pounds. Morven Lockhart approves anything above that and any planned customer interruption beyond switching. Network control does switching; the field team decides on site safety; customer service supports priority register customers. ## What will you do? 1. 1. Choose the window (20 minutes) 2. 2. Plan support and book the outage (20 minutes) 3. 3. Replan after the pre-check (20 minutes) ## Which skills will you practice? - Read demand profiles against network capacity - Choose a work window within safety and field rules - Plan support for customers who depend on medical equipment - Replan quickly and within authority when capacity changes ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does “Plan the substation outage” take? About 60 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock. ### Is “Plan the substation outage” free? No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading. ### Do I need outage planner experience? No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is intermediate. ### What do I get when I finish? You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation. ### Is Northvale Electricity Networks a real company? No. Northvale Electricity Networks is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.