SIMULATOR BASED TRAINING

Utilities are under constant pressure to, control and reduce the cost of power generati costal equipment maintenance. Two ways of reducing are through improved training of personnel and implementation of advanced technologies .Both have shown significant return on 'investment through improved maneuverability, availability, - higher, efficiency, longer equipment life, and better environmental control . Simulators are recognized as an effective tool for many kinds of training. They are used extensively in the nuclear, aviation , aerospace improving performance and reducing costs AF47 associated with personnel safety and system reliability .Although they are becoming more common in the fossil power industry , many utilities are reluctant to make the capital investment necessary to provide similar training. A recent study conducted by Colotado-Ute, USA, provides encouragnig data in awn of improving operator performance and justifying simulator training. In this study, simulator training was credited with a dramatic reduction m forced outages caused by operator error. This reduction in forced outages was due in part to crews operating units cl~ to design parameters, thus reducing wear and tear caused by extreme operating temperatures and pressures. This paper analyzes the use of different type of simulators such as basic principles, functional, compact, full-scope, and supersimulators. Furthermore the current status and perspective on simulator training for power plant operation at USA utilities, Electricite' e France, and the Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. will be discussed.