Learn how ADNOC uses a digital twin and operator training to enhance power system efficiency with ETAP

Test responses to operator actions within a simulation environment

• Deploy effective training on the functional principles of their existing electrical network within an environment that fully replicates the state and behavior of the live operational plant
• Safely and effectively improve the competency of electrical operators to handle complex day-to-day operational oversight and emergency situations 
• Provide a flexible training program to test operators on any existing or future hypothetical situation

The facility on DAS Island is situated approximately 130 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, UAE and serves as a power hub for ADNOC oil and gas operations. The facility consists of a total of 12 generators, which include steam and gas turbines with a total generation of 315 MW. These generators feed power to the key facilities that support the extraction and the transportation of hydrocarbon resources and provide power to two remote platforms that are connected to the island through subsea cables.

During the life cycle of this isolated plant, the operation team must be continually trained and updated to get acquainted and adapt to the current electrical network as well as on future upgrades, to safeguard the operation of the entire plant and reduce downtime or disturbances. In this plant there are three different switch gears where the generators are available and they operate at different voltage levels, which adds to the complexity of day-to-day operations to interconnect and operate the plant as one islanded system.

The challenge ADNOC faced was how to provide training so that the operators not only get familiar with their operation management tools and procedures, but also get experience with system response. This facility wanted to implement a simulation system that provides the realistic response to operator actions and reproduces the state and behavior of the live operational plant. 

ETAP Power Simulator - Comprehensive electrical network modeling and analysis, including:

• Unified Electrical Digital Twin – to build a dynamic power model of the existing network for use in operator training, including load flow analysis, protective device sequence of operation and all dynamic parameters of the generators, motors, relays, etc.
• Dynamic Stability Analysis, including Transient Stability, Microgrid Islanding, Load Shedding, Transformer Inrush, and others

ETAP SCADA Human Machine Interface (HMI) – To create HMI visualizations for training that matches the existing PMS system

ETAP Operator Training Simulator (eOTS) - To develop and improve operator competency through real-world simulated learning

• A realistic simulated training environment of the client’s operating environment and electrical networks
• Simulation that includes complex power management, identifies and tests responses to potential operation problems, predicts system response based on the operator actions, and includes ‘what-if’ operation scenarios
• A customizable and easy-to-implement training platform suitable for progressive learning paths
• Model-driven software-in-the-loop technology using real-time operational data

eOTS and the ETAP modeling and analysis using the unified Electrical Digital Twin provide operators and engineers with an effective learning environment to improve and augment their knowledge of the actual system. Leveraging the vast knowledge of the electrical systems and analytical engines, this solution provides a dynamic power model of the electrical network and predictive simulations to verify proper switching, and simulation and validation of sequence of operation. The environment replicates the real world situation with unlimited steady state and dynamic scenarios as a remedial action within a Trainer-to-Trainees learning evaluation environment.

One of the unique features of eOTS that holds high value by ADNOC is its realistic response functionality, also referred to as System Dynamic Support.  This functionality gives operators a very realistic experience of how the system actually behaves. For instance, when there is a large transformer which is energized, the associated inrush can be seen in the operator screens.

Another key feature is how eOTS presents relay protection in simulations. For instance, if an overcurrent relay is modeled, it will automatically trip the breaker if the required current is detected. This dynamic response combined with the relay protection reveals critical information that many operators may not have known previously.

To ensure that the training was most effective, ETAP SCADA was used to provide HMI visualization to exactly replicate their existing PMS applications, including electrical energy switching and monitoring, generation management, load management and alarm, trend and event recording.

Project Architecture

As well as operating in multiple island operation, the operator training also provides training on equipment malfunctions, activation, deactivation of features of energy switching and monitoring (ESM), load management (LMS) and generator management (GMS) operator actions and their impact on the electrical network assignments.

For this implementation there is one trainer workstation for the PMS Expert, connected to the training workstations. Each individual Trainee can have their own scenario to run, and training exercises to perform. Alternatively, eOTS can be operated as a team-based training environment where all three operators will be working within the same scenario.

The Trainer, for example, can introduce various actions such increasing or decreasing loading, creating islanding and interconnection conditions, and many others. The Trainee can perform actions such as protective equipment open/close, transformer tab position change, GMS mode regulating set points, generator mode and set points change, alarm management, and load shading management.

Elevated Operator Competency within a Safe and Cost-Effective Platform

• Elevated operator confidence and knowledge through real-time and historical simulations that include consequences of actions
• Safer operations through better-trained operators with an enhanced understanding of the importance of rapid response
• Proactive simulation training for planned system upgrades and changes reduces the potential for disruptions
• Improved training curriculum development and deployment including flexible data sets and playback functionality

ETAP OTS helps prepare operators to respond to any malfunctions and emergencies and prepare them for real-time operation.

Sohail Ahmed, Senior Engineer and Project Manager, ETAP