L-3 MAPPS has announced that it has been awarded a contract by UK-based EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited to upgrade the Sizewell B simulator and provide a range of other training devices to support both licensed and non-licensed operations personnel.
The project is underway and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015.
L-3 MAPPS vice president of marketing and sales Michael Chatlani said: "L-3 MAPPS worked closely with EDF Energy for the first time in 2000 to 2002 to renovate the legacy Sizewell B simulator and, as a team, we achieved best-in-class simulator performance.
"With this new opportunity, we are excited to once again collaborate with Sizewell B personnel to further enhance the simulator and provide additional training media."
EDF Energy’s Sizewell B Power Station group head of process computing systems Nick Alexander said: "Since we took over the updated simulator in December 2002, EDF Energy has experienced exceptional simulator performance and received outstanding support from L-3 MAPPS.
"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with L-3 MAPPS in upgrading the simulator, using the very latest technologies and expertise."
The current UNIX operating system-based simulator will be re-platformed to new PC / Windows-based computers, running L-3’s cutting-edge Orchid® simulation environment. The Orchid Instructor Station will be deployed, offering a full complement of features to train plant operators and maintain the simulator.
The reactor core model will be upgraded with Orchid Core Builder to provide a higher-fidelity model, with the latest version delivering improved 2-D and 3-D visualisation of the core parameters in runtime. The simulator’s containment model will also be upgraded in the Orchid Modeling Environment.
The enhanced simulator will be equipped with new cameras and microphones to record training sessions using Orchid Multimedia Manager, which is fully synchronised with the Orchid Instructor Station.
The recorded training sessions will be available for playback to critique operator actions and communication skills of the plant operators following training exercises. The upgraded simulator will also include Orchid Sound System, which is used to generate control room sounds depending on the simulator scenario.
L-3 MAPPS will also deliver six classroom simulators, which will be used by the plant operators or other plant personnel, to ensure they are familiar with the plant control room and its operation. The classroom simulators are based on L-3 MAPPS’ popular Orchid Touch Interface solution.
The Orchid Touch Interface bays can be used independently or together depending on training needs. In addition, L-3 MAPPS will equip EDF Energy with four touch-screen trainers, allowing plant technicians to interact with simulated local panels that are coupled with the simulation.
Other deliverables include L-3 MAPPS’ 3-D PWR transient fundamentals trainer and a 3-D plant component library, including pumps, valves, heat exchangers and more. The 3-D environment will allow students to interact with the graphics (e.g., rotate, zoom, pan, etc.), so they can better understand the nuclear power plant design and respond to accident conditions.