Advancements in Simulator Technologies for Power Plant Operator Training

As the size of steam boilers, steam turbines, and synchronous generators grow, operating a thermal power plant has become a challenging task that requires highly competent and responsive operation engineers. The traditional “watch and learn” approach is a time-consuming, risky, and expensive way to develop the skill levels required to handle complex operational situations in a power plant. An operator training simulator (OTS) is the most effective tool for learning plant operation procedures in a variety of dynamic scenarios and contingencies in order to quickly gain operational expertise. Simulators are computer-based systems that are used to train control room operators in large-scale industrial applications. This study will explore the types, advantages, applications, accuracy levels, and technological advancements of power plant training simulators.