Article: Operator perspectives and attitudes to evolving tasks and tools in power grid operations Journal: International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics (IJHFE) 2026 Vol.13 No.5 pp.1 - 27 Abstract: Due to increasingly volatile, distributed generation, the electric power system is undergoing significant change with increasing automation and altered operator roles. This study explores grid operators' own perspectives on how their tasks and tools are evolving in response to these changes. Emotional responses play a key role in technology acceptance and influence safety, performance and sensemaking, which are critical aspects of safe and reliable control room systems. Therefore, this study examined operator attitudes using an exploratory questionnaire study targeting Nordic grid operators. The results (N = 15) indicated that the increasingly volatile power system requires more active balancing work and that automation is seen as essential. However, concerns about reliability, stress and skill requirements were raised; these were influenced by past experiences of tool overload and outdated systems contributing to hesitation. Well-calibrated trust in automation is vital for safe implementation and thus organisations need to keep up with technological and operational change. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Operator perspectives and attitudes to evolving tasks and tools in power grid operations

Authors: Signe Svensson; Jonas Borell; Anna-Lisa Osvalder

Addresses: Division Design & Human Factors, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden ' Division Design & Human Factors, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: Due to increasingly volatile, distributed generation, the electric power system is undergoing significant change with increasing automation and altered operator roles. This study explores grid operators' own perspectives on how their tasks and tools are evolving in response to these changes. Emotional responses play a key role in technology acceptance and influence safety, performance and sensemaking, which are critical aspects of safe and reliable control room systems. Therefore, this study examined operator attitudes using an exploratory questionnaire study targeting Nordic grid operators. The results (N = 15) indicated that the increasingly volatile power system requires more active balancing work and that automation is seen as essential. However, concerns about reliability, stress and skill requirements were raised; these were influenced by past experiences of tool overload and outdated systems contributing to hesitation. Well-calibrated trust in automation is vital for safe implementation and thus organisations need to keep up with technological and operational change.

Keywords: electric power system; control room operator role; automation; attitudes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2026.156450

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2026 Vol.13 No.5, pp.1 - 27

Received: 18 Mar 2026
Accepted: 10 Jun 2026
Published online: 18 Sep 2026 *

Title: Operator perspectives and attitudes to evolving tasks and tools in power grid operations

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