The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said it had installed a second fully operational APR-1400 training simulator at its learning center in Barakah, Abu Dhabi, which is up and running and ready for use by 116 enlisted reactor (RO) and senior reactor operators (SRO), 98 percent of whom are United Arab Emirate nationals.
The 20-metric ton simulator was constructed by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) in Korea and put through a series of tests to determine its performance quality. It was then taken apart and shipped to the Middle East. Reassembled at Enec's training center in Barakah, it was then subjected to a second series of tests to determine its readiness for use by RO and SRO trainees.
Along with installation of its second plant control room simulator, Enec said that the first simulator was fully updated. “The upgrade consists of custom-designed modeling data applied to both simulators to make the technology more specific to the unique environment of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (Barakah NPP), allowing the devices to mimic the real conditions and future scenarios of the UAE plants,” Enec said in a statement.
“Developed in conjunction with Enec’s prime contractor, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), the simulators replicate the actual environment and conditions that certified ROs and SROs in the Barakah NPP control room would experience in a real time situation. They also provide students with the opportunity to experience unplanned events that they would otherwise not be exposed to in day to day operations.”
The resulting two-simulator training center is a 7000-square-meter facility equipped with classrooms, state-of-the-art training equipment and the latest interactive digital workshop facilities for students to apply the theory, systems and procedure knowledge and skills learned in class and during on-the-job training.
The company also announced that Unit 1 for the planned four-reactor, 5,600 megawatt facility is 74 percent completed with Unit 2 estimated at 51 percent completed. Enec, said the entire facility is 48 percent done.
The first reactor is scheduled for completion in 2017 with the next three following at 12-month intervals.