PDA: a training application to electrical substation operation

The article presents an advanced training system for the local operation of electrical substations. This system, named PDA (Power Distribution Application), has been developed in the frame of the EXTRAS project. PDA aims to train operators in the execution of a set of normal manoeuvres for the control and management of the electric transmission and distribution network. It also trains in the detection, analysis and correction of a set of predefined malfunctions. PDA is composed by two independent systems: the SGI simulator, and the Assistant. The SGI is an interactive graphical simulator, which is currently used by IBERDROLA in the training and recycling process of operators in the execution of local manoeuvres in those substations where there are no automation or remote control facilities. The Assistant is an interactive system that emulates the human instructor and provides the training users with two types of assistance: reactive and proactive.