Morgantown, W.Va. -- The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has launched the Advanced Virtual Energy Simulation Training and Research (AVESTAR) Center with a first-of-a-kind dynamic simulator for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with CO₂ capture. The goal of the world-class AVESTAR Center is to provide comprehensive workforce training, enhanced education, and collaborative research and development (R&D) on the operation and control of high-efficiency, near-zero-emission energy plants. The next major AVESTAR development, already well underway, extends the IGCC dynamic simulator or operator training system (OTS) from the control room to outside plant operators, or field operators, using 3D virtual reality technology in an immersive training system (ITS). The environment is fully interactive with the real-time dynamic simulator, enabling field and control room operators to be trained to coordinate their activities and perform collaboratively as a team.

The AVESTAR training program offers a variety of IGCC courses, all delivered by experienced trainers, that merge classroom learning, hands-on simulator-based OTS learning in a control-room operations environment, and immersive learning in the interactive 3D virtual plant environment or ITS. Designed to ensure work force development, the importance of teamwork and communication is reinforced, and training is offered for control room and plant field operators, engineers, and managers. With support from the NETL Regional University Alliance (RUA), the AVESTAR Center is also being used to enhance graduate and undergraduate engineering education in the areas of process simulation, dynamics, control, and safety.

To further leverage the AVESTAR facilities and simulators, NETL and its RUA partners are pursuing an innovative R&D program across several areas, and are also exploring collaborative R&D opportunities with leading experts in the operation and control of clean energy systems. R&D collaboration is conducted through cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) with the private sector, academia, and other government entities.

To learn more about the Center's training and research programs, visit the AVESTAR website at www.netl.doe.gov/avestar.

Advanced Virtual Energy Simulation Training and Research (AVESTAR) Center