Some tools for simplified modelling for power plant operator training simulators

Low-cost simulators are a new trend in the area of operator training. They are based on engineering simulation, which differs from standard simulation used in control loop design not only in the purpose of modelling, but also in the supported approaches often using empirical and approximative methods in model development. For an operator training simulator, it is important to create simple models that enables a true representation of all operations which should be trained, while exact numeric values or time behaviour are not so critical provided they remain within a reasonable tolerance. This paper emerges from some ideas gained during preparation of an Operator Training Simulator (OTS) implementation in the coal-fired power plant at Opatovice.