How ADNOC uses ETAP Digital Twin and Operator Training Simulator to enhance power system efficiency

Flexible virtual training using the ETAP OTS platform reproduces realistic plant behaviors with identical power system operational environments. It enhances operator competency, confidence, and knowledge, leading to improved plant operation.
Mr. Sohail Ahmed, ADNOC Assembly Maintenance and Overhaul Supervisor

This case study examines the application of an Operator Training System by ADNOC. In early 2020, the electrical department of the largest drilling company in the Middle East identified the need for significant advancements in managing its electrical systems located on DAS Island. To improve the quality and security of its electrical services, it decided to invest in digital modeling and training simulations. It chose the solutions offered by ETAP.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Arabic: شركة بترول أبو ظبي الوطنية), known by its acronym ADNOC, is the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates. This is the largest drilling company in the Middle East, based on its fleet of drilling rigs. It operates on a series of islands in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, which are physically and electrically isolated from the mainland.

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Year: 2024

Real-time Operator Training Simulator for electrical operators

Challenges

  • How to effectively provide training in the functional principles of the electrical network, turbines, and generators in an operational environment that is integrated and reliable with facilities
  • Methods to improving electrical operators' and supervisors' competency in operating systems to achieve repetitive decisions and behaviors in real and various typical cases and emergencies
  • Improving the analyzing of cases, optimization of operations, enhancing HMI, alarm handling, trending, and reporting with a solid understanding of processes
  • How to apply real-time simulated training that optimizes maintenance and centralize energy services
  • Providing a training platform that is integrated with accurate data from the area in real-time to help understand the processes and simulate work and decision-making under actual conditions

Which solutions did they choose?

Selected applications

ETAP OTS (Operator Training Simulator), which utilizes the unified ETAP Digital Twin, a virtual model of the real-world power system.

ETAP NetPM online cloud solution, offering modeling, integration, and simulation. 

Why do they use ETAP?

Main Customer Benefits

  • Ability to provide various levels of training to employees using OTS, including new electrical engineers, operators, and advanced users. Customized modules and progressive learning paths ensure that each user group receives training tailored to their level of expertise.
  • Accurately represent the facility's operation in training by including responses from the load system, generation system, energy production, protection system, machine behavior, and a complete list of simulations.
  • Automatically evaluate network information with easy validation and visualization.
  • Sending of operating conditions to operators and trainees. Alerts and system updates are delivered through a unified HMI, ensuring operators and trainees receive timely, actionable information on network status and potential issues.

What do they think about ETAP?

Opinions

The scope of work for the electrical OTS requirement, in brief, is to create a simulation system that provides a realistic response to operator actions and accurately replicates the state and behavior of a live operational plant.
By Mr. Sohail Ahmed, ADNOC Assembly Maintenance and Overhaul Supervisor

This helps prepare operators to respond to any malfunctions and emergencies and prepare them for real-time operation.
By Mr. Sohail Ahmed, ADNOC Assembly Maintenance and Overhaul Supervisor



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