Virtual Realty Training System from Invensys to Help Advance Clean Coal Power for U.S. Department of Energy

Invensys Operations Management, a global provider of technology systems, software solutions and consulting services to the process and manufacturing industries, announced today that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) will utilize the company’s innovative EYESim™ virtual reality training solution as the centerpiece of a new state-of-the-art training center to assist in the development of new generation zero-emission integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants with carbon capture.

The IGCC training center is part of the DOE’s initiative to develop new clean-coal power plants that burn fuel more efficiently to produce environmentally friendly electric power. Under the terms of the contract, Invensys will provide a full-scope, high-fidelity, real-time dynamic simulator for a generic IGCC plant with carbon capture. The DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory will operate the simulator at both its Dynamic Simulator Research & Training Center in Morgantown, W.Va., and a satellite location at West Virginia University’s National Research Center for Coal and Energy.

"Industry experts agree that the age of near zero-emission clean coal power is here, and we believe that EYESim technology from Invensys is a scalable resource for the rapidly emerging clean-coal industry," said Tom Fiske, Ph.D., ARC Advisory Group. "As a powerful design and training solution, it will create a safe, highly cost-efficient training environment, as well as develop expertise in the analysis, operation and control of commercial-scale IGCC plants."

In November 2008, Invensys announced that it had been awarded a contract by the DOE to simulate the IGCC process using its SimSci-Esscor DYNSIM® process modeling software. The most recent contract adds a 3-D virtual reality experience to that simulation.

"Using the combined solution capabilities of our SimSci-Esscor DYNSIM and EYESim technologies, we will build a high-fidelity model of a generic coal-fired IGCC power plant that designers and operators can interact with in real-time," said Maurizio Rovaglio, Ph.D. and head of innovation and emerging technologies for Invensys Operations Management. "While similar to an immersive 3-D video game, this simulation is derived from powerful software that exactly models the physics of the plant’s operations, rather than being based on an artistic rendering."

Wearing a stereoscopic headset, trainees enter the immersive environment and move freely throughout the facility, seeing exactly what they would see if they were in an actual plant. The walkthrough is highly realistic because the software renders the virtual environment at 60 frames per second, significantly faster than what can be achieved by traditional, non real-time rendering. Moreover, EYESim augmented reality merges virtual plant imagery with data screens from asset management or other application software to provide additional detail on technology or procedures that can significantly enhance the overall training experience.

The DOE will use these simulations in demonstration, education and training services, including IGCC plant operation and control demonstrations, technology familiarization and hands-on computer-based training. In addition to training and plant design functions, the NETL and its research and development partners will use the simulator to showcase clean coal technology as a technically feasible way to support future electrical generation demand without emitting environmental pollutants or greenhouse gases.

"The work that NETL is doing is a great example of how advanced simulation technologies can be applied to help bring about a more sustainable future, and we are pleased that the DOE has selected us to participate in this important project," Rovaglio said. "Jumpstarting this new industry with conventional training tools and methods would have been costly and time consuming. But the sooner we can implement safe, cost-effective clean energy, the more we all benefit."

Representatives from Invensys Operations Management will display and demonstrate the new solution during the company’s OpsManage’09 Conference taking place in Anaheim, Calif., November 3 to 5, 2009. Rovaglio and Stephen Zitney, director, Collaboratory for Process and Dynamic Systems Research at the DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory, will also give a joint presentation about the NETL project and the EYESim solution on November 4 and 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the Energy Theater. For more information about the EYESim solution, please visit Pod 19 during OpsManage’09 or contact your local Invensys sales office or sales representative. To register for OpsManage’09, visit opsmanage.wonderware.com.