High-fidelity plant simulators are a cornerstone for robust operator training, event replay and analysis, engineering development, and ‘what if’ analysis. They are beneficial tools to help today’s combined cycle power plants address operator turnover, complex operational demands, and ensured reliability. Southern Company is a strong proponent of the utilization of high-fidelity simulators. As such, Southern is very experienced with the challenges of managing traditional simulators, given the specialized expertise required to develop and maintain custom plant models, and the complexity of maintaining two simulator software platforms – the simulated process models platform and the simulated control system platform. At its Mississippi Power Daniel plant, Southern Company is now implementing a first-of-its-kind high-fidelity combined cycle simulator that uses leading edge technology to overcome these traditional simulator issues. Working in conjunction with Emerson Process Management, Southern Company implemented a unique, phased simulator approach that provides all the benefits of a traditional plant simulator, with a significantly reduced maintenance burden and improved long-term sustainability. This paper will provide a review of this innovative project, including project drivers and objectives, scope, technology deployment, and phased project execution.
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