Power System Operator Training: Curriculum Design and Development

Liberalisation of the electricity supply industry causes new operation requirements and training needs for staff members in power system control [1]. Market principles lead to a more customer and quality oriented business with increasing interest in reliable system operation.

Abstract The real time operations are complex and requires specific expertise of the professionals involved. The objective of this study is to verify in the scientific literature, elements required for development of a methodology to construction of training programs of teams of real time operation of electric power companies. A bibliographical research through query on scientific databases was performed. The data analysis allowed the selection of the main problems faced by operation teams, the main techniques of needs assessment and training techniques applicable to the area of real time operation in the power sector. Into these three categories of analysis it was found elements related to the system complexity, responsibilities of operators, methods for job analysis, techniques and training tools in the work environment. These elements involve technological, instructional and behavioral aspects.

Operator training systems are an essential tool for industrial systems, in particular for those where the human error has impact on the human and materials safety on top of the expected financial losses. This paper proposes an operator training simulator (OTS) architecture, conceived on the basis of a preliminary study performed on human error reports related to accidents in the electric system industry. This study produced a conceptual model of accident scenarios from which were extracted the objects implicated in the human error. From this study resulted a taxonomy, as well as an actionomy describing the sequence of tasks and actions performed by the operators during the accident. This paper presents the OTS´s architecture, which based upon a set of formal models, built in Colored Petri Nets (CPN) and interconnected to form the simulator's engine. This simulator will offer the possibility of a remote interaction through the web and a choice of two interfaces: one based on a virtual reality representation of the plant's man machine interface (MMI) and another consisting of a representation for a supervisory system.

Electric Power Systems Research

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Training of operators has become an important problem to be faced by power systems: updating knowledge and skills. An operator must comprehend the physical operation of the process and must be skilled in handling a number of normal and abnormal operating problems and emergencies. We are developing an intelligent environment for training of power system operators. This paper presents the architecture of the intelligent environment composed by computer based training components labeled as reusable learning objects; a learning object repository; concept structure map of the power plant domain, a tutor module based on course planner, operator model based on cognitive and affective components and operator interface. The general aim of our work is to provide operators of complex industrial environments with a suitable training from a pedagogical and affective viewpoint to certify operators in knowledge, skills, expertise, abilities and attitudes for operation of power systems.

Desenvolve Revista de Gestão do Unilasalle, 2019

The real-time operators act on phenomena characterized by uncertainty, incomplete information, time pressure, unexpected events, and security threat. Emergency and urgent situations demand rapid and effective decisions. This is the case of hospital emergencies, fire brigades, air traffic control, nuclear plants control, and power system operation. It requires the development of behavioral skills in training programs. This paper aims to describe how to develop a method to training programs for real-time operators. Steps and the tools to develop a training method were presented. Experts of the Brazilian Power System Operator Company evaluated the method. Results point to a method focused on power system operators with six key steps namely, Problem Analysis, Context Analysis, Identify Training Needs, Choose Training Techniques, Training Program Structure, and Evaluation. The simulation was the main tool, followed by a behavioral observatory based on roleplay. Test and apply the me...

IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, 2003

2008

The focus of the present study is on improved training approaches to accelerate learning and improved methods for analyzing effectiveness of tools within a high-fidelity power grid simulated environment. A theory-based model has been developed to document and understand the mental processes that an expert power system operator uses when making critical decisions. The theoretical foundation for the method is

2010

The change of the human machine interface from hard panel to personal computers in power plants nowadays, demands a modernization of the training simulators, so the trainees can utilize a suitable operation interface during their training. To accomplish this goal, a new hardware-software platform based on personal computers with Windows XP was developed. This platform was customized to update two hard panel simulators of fossil-fuel units. Additionally, the same platform was utilized to develop a new simulator for a coal-fired unit, and to expand a gas turbine power plant to a combined cycle power plant. The main feature of the platform is that its human machine interface is based on interactive process diagrams, so the operators of modern power plants can practice in a similar interface like they have in their actual plant. All of these simulators are installed in a training center for operators and have been tested and validated by qualified instructors. Currently the simulators are utilized as a part of the training courses for power plants operators.