The EU sponsored European VVER Extensible Simulators for Training (EVVEREST) project (See NEI, August 1997, p32) is beginning to bear fruit. The first multifunctional simulator developed through the programme is now running at the Bohunice power plant in Slovakia.
Developed by European companies with extensive experience in this field – Belgatom, Siemens, Corys TESS, a subsiduary of Tractebel Engineering, and Thomson Training and Simulation – the simulator has been developed using the expertise contained within Corys TESS and Tractebel Energy Engineering. It is being integrated into various operator training cycles including: basic and physical understanding of nuclear power plant phenomena; focused training on the full operation of important and/or difficult power plant systems; training on the exact reproduction of important power plant procedures and focused training on specific post-accident situations.
The EVVEREST programme will provide eight simulators to six power plants in Eastern Europe. These are Kola and Novovoronesh in Russia, Rovno in Ukraine, Dukovany in the Czech Republic, Kozloduy in Bulgaria as well as Bohunice. The simulators will improve safety as the training capacity of each station will be greatly enhanced.
