Introduction
Simulators constitute one of the most effective instruments for the training and technical qualification of operations personnel. Thanks to the inherently interactive nature of these tools, we are able to unite theory with practice and substantially shorten apprenticeship time. The reduction in the costs of simulators in the last few years (as a result of using conventional PCs and commercial software tools for development) significantly improves the cost-benefit ratio, justifying the use of simulators, preferably specific to each plant.

Through the use of a training simulator, operations personnel can acquire the dexterity and skills necessary for executing common maneuvers and managing minor situations without compromising the installation's operations. This helps to improve the operation, availability and security of the plant. Likewise, the benefit of having a simulator can be extended to personnel in engineering and the rest of the plant.

Aside from its use as a training tool, the simulator allows users to test new operative practices aimed at improving the plant's efficiency, to test adjustments in the control system and to analyze different points of operation or settings of equipment or systems without affecting the plant itself.


Benefits
Increase in availability and production. Reduction of the number of unprogrammed stops and of the number of incidents that cause load reductions.
Optimization of maneuvers like hot or cold- starting. In this case, the benefit consists of an increase in the number of hours of operation at full load, considerable fuel-savings in starting up, and extending the equipment's useful life.
Availability of a suitable platform for training in case there are substantial changes in the plant's control system (major changes in main equipment or repowering, for example). In this case, the personnel need to learn to manage the plant in a radically different fashion, making it essential for them to receive training on a simulator reflecting the new situation.
Fast depreciation of the investment, given the constantly decreasing price of computer equipment.

Characteristics
A simulator is a configuration of hardware and software that, by means of calculation algorithms, the behavior of a selected process or physical system is replicated. A simulator for a thermal power plant usually consists of the following components:
A process model:
This is the simulator's motor, where the physical process is simulated. It models the distinct systems as well as their components: valves, pipes, electric rods, etc.
A representation of the control system:
The plant's control system usually consists of a combination of a distributed control system (DCS), programmable logical controllers (PLC) and relay logic.
An interface with the operator:
It is possible to simulate the physical control panels using graphic animation in tactile screens (virtual panels). The DCS interface of the simulator is an exact replica of that in the control room.
A station for the instructor:
This can function as a control center for the simulator. For academic purposes, it may contain a series of hypothetical actions or situations such as: stopping/resuming of the simulation, introduction of malfunctions, repetition of the operation sequences for their subsequent evaluation, etc.