A full scope combined cycle power plant simulator supplied by GSE Systems has started operations at RWE Generation’s Didcot Technical Support Centre in the UK.

The simulator will be used to train operators for the Staythorpe and Pembroke power stations, which employ Alstom GT26 gas turbines.

GSE Systems developed the simulator with the support of ABB, which supplied its System 800xA power generation distributed control systems for the 2000 MW Pembroke and 1650 MW Staythorpe combined cycle plants.

In addition to training operators, the simulator, which is modelled on the actual plant systems and control systems of both plants, will be used to "develop distributed control system (DCS) engineers, graduates, power technicians and non-operational staff," GSE said.