Conception of a simulator for training operators of hydropower plants and development of the starting of a generator

Abstract

In the training of operators of hydropower plants, the apprentice operator could make a bad handling, which could stop the whole operation of the plant or damage the equipment, generating unwanted costs to the enterprise. A simulator allows training of apprentices in safe conditions during the operation and allows the training of operators in unusual situations with critical operating conditions or failure. This paper presents the design of a training simulator for operators of hydropower plants. Initially, systems and equipment are defined as well as the initial conditions for the correct operation of the generator. Then, the requirements for the simulator and use cases are presented and the software and hardware architecture and user interfaces are designed. Finally, the development and testing of interfaces for the starting of the generator are shown by using LabVIEW® programming software. Tests show the interfaces that connect with mathematical models of subsystems. This connection of models with the interfaces of the simulator can be seen due to the change in the state of the variables that are part of the interfaces.