Guidelines for Upgrade and Modernization of Nuclear Power Plant Training Simulators

The use of simulators for the training and qualification of control room operating personnel has become a standard practice throughout the world to develop and reinforce knowledge of plant systems and their relationships, to increase the ability to apply plant procedures, to advance practical skills in operating the plant in normal, abnormal and emergency conditions, and to build supervisory skills and teamwork. Simulators are also utilized to conduct the authorization or licensing examinations of control room operating personnel, and there is an increasing trend in the use of simulators for non-training purposes. The simulator should be adequately maintained and upgraded to ensure that it continues to be a viable training tool that accurately replicates the operational characteristics of the reference nuclear power plant (NPP). The upgrade or modernization of the simulator should be conducted based upon the proven project management principles and methods discussed in this report. The combined simulator upgrade knowledge and experience of many NPPs and simulator vendors have been compiled, and examples of specific simulator upgrade projects are included in the appendices as well as on the attached CD-ROM.