Eskom Lethabo Power Station
Eskom Lethabo Power Station improves operator training with AVEVA Simulation
To improve the safety, efficiency and profitability of its plant, Eskom Lethabo Power Station was looking for a robust operator training system. With AVEVA Simulation, Eskom was able to install a dedicated simulator that improves plant productivity and operations while strengthening process understanding, staff safety and control of operating costs. The generic drum unit simulator allows operators to practice realistic scenarios with no impact on actual production, accelerating their skills development and standardizing responses to critical situations. This approach supports Eskom's overall goal: improving the performance of its South African power plants while ensuring safe, reliable electricity service.
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FAQ
How does AVEVA Simulation help Eskom Lethabo Power Station train its operators?
Eskom Lethabo Power Station installed an AVEVA Simulation generic drum unit simulator to train its operators without affecting actual production. The simulator faithfully reproduces plant behavior across a variety of scenarios (startup, shutdown, incidents). Operators build their skills on critical situations rarely encountered in normal operation, which speeds up their path to autonomy. For a utility that supplies 95% of South Africa's electricity, this simulated training is a decisive asset for safety and reliability.
Why is a generic drum unit simulator well suited to a thermal power plant?
Drum units are key components of the conventional thermal power plants operated by Eskom. A generic simulator models their behavior in every phase of operation, allowing operators to understand thermohydraulic interactions and respond to drift. AVEVA Simulation provides this high-fidelity representation, available for both initial training and continuous upskilling. This standardized approach also makes it easier to share experience between the various power plants in the Eskom group.
What operational benefits does a power plant gain from a training simulator?
The investment in AVEVA Simulation allowed Eskom Lethabo to reduce operating costs while improving plant understanding and staff safety. Operators trained on the simulator make better decisions, anticipate incidents and standardize their responses to critical situations. At a plant that helps supply around 60% of the total electricity consumed on the African continent, these operational gains have a direct impact on the quality of life of millions of people.
How can procedures be tested risk-free on an operating power plant?
Testing new operating procedures on a plant in production carries significant risks: loss of reliability, safety incidents and financial costs. AVEVA Simulation allows Eskom Lethabo to first validate all new procedures on the simulator, under conditions that faithfully reproduce the real plant. This standard practice in the nuclear industry is becoming relevant for conventional thermal power plants, particularly as operations evolve with the energy transition.
How does AVEVA contribute to the reliability of a national electric utility?
Eskom supplies around 95% of South Africa's electricity, or nearly 60% of Africa's electricity consumption. The reliability of plants such as Lethabo is therefore of national importance. AVEVA Simulation contributes to this reliability through operator training, procedure validation and continuous improvement in process understanding. This data-driven, simulation-based approach supports the stability of the South African power system and improves quality of service for millions of residential and industrial users.