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L-3 MAPPS to Enhance U.K.’s Sizewell B Simulator and Launch Additional Training Media

"L-3 MAPPS worked closely with EDF Energy for the first time in 2000 to 2002 to renovate the legacy Sizewell B simulator and, as a team, we achieved best-in-class simulator performance," said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing & sales for L-3 MAPPS.
"With this new opportunity, we are excited to once again collaborate with Sizewell B personnel to further enhance the simulator and provide additional training media.

"Since we took over the updated simulator in December 2002, EDF Energy has experienced exceptional simulator performance and received outstanding support from L-3 MAPPS," said Nick Alexander, group head of process computing systems at EDF Energy’s Sizewell B Power Station. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with L-3 MAPPS in upgrading the simulator using the very latest technologies and expertise."

The current UNIX operating system-based simulator will be replatformed to new PC/Windows-based computers running L-3’s cutting-edge Orchid® simulation environment. Orchid Instructor Station will be deployed, offering a full complement of features to train plant operators and to maintain the simulator. The reactor core model will be upgraded with Orchid Core Builder to provide a higher-fidelity model, with the latest version delivering improved 2-D and 3-D visualisation of the core parameters in runtime. The simulator’s containment model will also be upgraded in Orchid Modeling Environment.

The enhanced simulator will be equipped with new cameras and microphones to record training sessions using Orchid Multimedia Manager, which is fully synchronized with Orchid Instructor Station. The recorded training sessions will be available for playback to critique operator actions and communication skills of the plant operators, following training exercises. The upgraded simulator will also include Orchid Sound System, which is used to generate control room sounds depending on the simulator scenario.

L-3 MAPPS will also deliver six classroom simulators to be used by the plant operators or other plant personnel to become familiar with the plant control room and its operation. The classroom simulators are based on L-3 MAPPS’ popular Orchid Touch Interface solution. The Orchid Touch Interface bays can be used independently or together depending on training needs. In addition, L-3 MAPPS will equip EDF Energy with four touch-screen trainers, allowing plant technicians to interact with simulated local panels that are coupled with the simulation.

Other deliverables include L-3 MAPPS’ 3-D PWR transient fundamentals trainer and a 3-D plant component library, including pumps, valves, heat exchangers, etc. The 3-D environment will allow students to interact with the graphics (e.g., rotate, zoom, pan, etc.) in order to better understand the nuclear power plant design and respond to accident conditions.

EDF Energy is one of the U.K.’s largest energy companies and its largest producer of low-carbon electricity. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest energy groups. EDF Energy generates approximately one-fifth of the U.K.’s electricity and employs around 15,000 people. Sizewell B is currently the only Pressurized Water Reactor in the United Kingdom and is located on the Suffolk coast, northeast of London. Sizewell B went into commercial operation in February 1995 and is expected to be in operation until 2035.

L-3 MAPPS has over 30 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and over 40 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than four decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector. To learn more about L-3 MAPPS, please visit the company’s website at www.L-3com.com/MAPPS.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs approximately 48,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aerospace systems and national security solutions. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of communication and electronic systems and products used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2013 sales of $12.6 billion. To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s website at www.L-3com.com.