By Dwibin Thomas, Cluster Automation Leader at Schneider Electric

Understanding electrical power systems efficiency and potential points of failure is paramount.  Unplanned outages have a direct impact on the bottom line and can cripple a business.  

Unfortunately, it is also estimated that 40% of unplanned shutdowns are due to operator missteps. The solution is to enable power system engineers to anticipate potential failures and plan for future systems expansions. 

Using cutting-edge technology to improve system planning and design, recognise and correct potential hidden problems, and avoid unforeseen errors can prevent these costly system disruptions.

One such technology is the digital twin which significantly reduces the risk for both operators and power system engineers.  The digital twin mitigates the somewhat archaic practice of working with static paper or PDF-based electrical single line items.  

With digital technology such as Electrical Design with ETAP, engineers and operators benefit from intelligent single-line diagrams (iSLD) that utilise digital twin technology blueprints of single-phase and three-phase power systems.

Utilising digital twin technology, organisations benefit from effortless collaboration as it provides real-time insight which streamline diagnostics and troubleshooting.  It forms a vital part of organisations’ asset performance management (APM) posture.

Digital twin technology such as ETP iSLD software utilises tools such a ETAP Operator Training Simulator (ETAP eOTS) and ETAP Power System Monitoring and Simulation (ETAP PSMS) to create scenarios steeped in reality, albeit virtual

Training in the virtual for the real

Upskilling employees will always play a vital role in any organisational setting.  Here, digital twin technology’s training simulator plays an invaluable role in providing a virtual setting that teaches pre-planned contingency actions and quick operator response to incidents.

Additionally, these training simulators incorporate industry-specific tools to develop and improve operator competency through real-world simulated learning.

From simulation to operation, digital twin training provides operators and engineers with an effective learning environment to improve and augment their knowledge of the existing system.

Additionally, digital twin training simulation supports operators in developing a valid sequence of operations, from safe switching procedures to validating the response of Power SCADA in a wide range of conditions. 

An operator training simulator provides a convenient, safe, and effective learning environment. The results provide deep insights to maintain safe and reliable system operations.

Digital training simulators use real-time system data to run scenarios.  Operators can therefore experience “first hand” high-risk or emergency without the resultant real-world danger.  Digital twin training simulators offer:

• Reduced safety risks by strengthening operator skills.
• Enhanced operational efficiency as operator proficiency is increased.
• Quicker response when contingency actions come into play.
• Documented trainee actions to identify potential areas for improvement.
• A predictive platform allows power system engineers to anticipate potential failures and plan future systems expansions.

An online predictive simulation is a powerful analytical tool that allows for the anticipation of system behaviour in response to operator actions and events.

The advantages of such an approach include:

• Fewer safety exposures as emergencies and precarious situations can be experienced without the threat of any actual danger.
• Precise “what if” scenarios illustrate how to improve operational efficiency and sharpen decision-making.
• Faster incident response times due to practical post-mortem analysis and event playback capabilities.

Ultimately, the digital twin and its tools can become man’s other best friend as it provides a safe environment to train, learn, and importantly predict and react to potential catastrophic failure.