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Section B
Selected Expert Systems Applications


Part I
Engineering-Related Expert Systems

Chapter 20
Power Industry

Odin Taylor, Peter Smith, John MacIntyre, and John Tait


CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. History of Expert Systems Within the Power Industry
3. Applications
3.1. The Entire Generation Process
3.1.1. KNOBOS
    3.1.2. VIAD
    3.1.3. ADVISOR
    3.1.4. Forecasting Gas Demand
3.2. Gas Turbine Diagnostics
3.2.1. TIGER
    3.2.2. SA-VANT
3.3. Steam Turbine Diagnostics
3.3.1. STES
3.4. Generators
3.4.1. GEMS
    3.4.2. MICCA
3.5. The Nuclear Power Industry
3.5.1. Systems Developed by EPRI
    3.5.2. OASYS (On-Line Operator Aid System)
    3.5.3. Modular Real-Time Operator Advisor Expert System
    3.5.4. Plant Operation and Guidance System
    3.5.5. The French Experience -- Expert Training System (SEPIA)
4. Research Issues and Future Trends
4.1. Neural Networks
4.2. Distributed Artificial Intelligence
4.3. Hybrid Systems
5. Summary
References

1. INTRODUCTION

The power industry has undergone continuous change ever since its beginnings in the late 19th century. From the early days when the industry consisted of numerous small companies, largely meeting local needs for lighting, industrial power, and public transport, the industry has evolved to become one of major importance to the world's economy.

Power generation is a large industry, with over 100,000 employees working at 20 different companies in the United Kingdom (U.K.) alone. The approximate turnover of the U.K. power generation sector is around £28 billion per year. Indeed, until recently, the industry accounted for some three quarters of the U.K. coal market, and about a third of the country's primary fuel consumption. Revenues from the industry amount to almost 2% of the national income. The price and security of the power supply is a key factor in the competitiveness of U.K. industry.

In recent times, the power industry has had to face the harsh competitive realities of a new marketplace, and look to all avenues for competitive advantage. Power generation companies are continually searching for means by which they can improve performance and cut costs, through efficiency, productivity, and plant availability. New and advanced technologies are playing an increasing role in the quest for continuous improvement and, among these technologies, the use of expert systems is rapidly growing in terms of research, development, and application.

This chapter will examine some applications of expert system technology within the power industry, the benefits offered by these systems, the problems encountered in development, and future trends for expert systems in the power generation field.


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