A simulator for training fossil-fuel power plants operators with an HMI based on a multi-window system

Abstract

The hardware-software architecture for a power plant simulator is presented. The simulator is hosted in a local area network of personal computers and has Windows XP as its operating system. The Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for the operator and the instructor are based on a multi-window system; therefore, they have access to a lot of information inside their respective action field at any moment during the simulation session. In particular, the operator HMI has been designed for being suitable for training power plants operators with modern HMIs, where the operation is based on computer screens. The simulator has been installed in an operators training centre where a group of acceptance tests has been successfully carried out. Currently, the simulator is being used as part of the training courses for fossil-fuel power plant operators.