Tech Topics - Winter 2007 - (Page 22) TheHill Simulation Expands Learning Experience ROB FELT By John Toon W ho’ll keep the lights on? As utility company executives make plans to meet the growing electricity needs of the Southeast, they’re also watching their most experienced personnel approach retirement age. Finding enough skilled personnel to operate complex power-generation facilities poses one of the most critical challenges facing the industry today. Collaboration between Baltimorebased GSE Systems and Georgia Tech offers one solution: a new way of learning that combines traditional classroom training with hands-on experience using advanced computer simulations of complex industrial facilities. Simulations have long been used to train pilots but are relatively new to other types of industrial training. “People learn by seeing, experiencing and actually doing something,” explained Eric Johnson, senior operations training specialist for GSE Systems. “We can reinforce what students have learned in class by allowing them to interact with a simulation of a facility. The simulation allows them to gain experience without actually having to be in a real plant, and that helps new employees become productive faster.” To provide that innovative learning environment, GSE has built a multimillion-dollar simulation and education center at Georgia Tech’s Global Learning Center in Technology Square. The company officially opened the facility — the first of its kind in the Chuck Kelly, director of training sytems design for GSE Systems, demonstrates the simulation of a gas-turbine generating station at the first-of-its-kind education center at Tech. United States — with a ceremony in September. The center includes more than a dozen LCD panels driven by a powerful computer to simulate the many key systems operated from the control room of an electric generating plant. Student operators can adjust controls and immediately see the effects of their actions not only on the system they are controlling but also on the rest of the plant. Realistic warnings indicate potentially dangerous conditions to which the students must respond. Three-dimensional models show the systems and exact components being controlled. The new facility currently offers simulations for gas turbine and combined-cycle gas turbine generating plants. GSE plans to add simulations for nuclear power generating stations, petroleum refineries, desalinization plants, oil and gas platforms, distribution facilities — and perhaps more. An estimated 40 percent of the utility industry’s current work force will retire in the next five years, while as many as 1,200 employees will be needed for each new nuclear power plant built. Georgia Tech is contributing expertise in complex simulations as well as systems designed for augmented reality — and for wireless networking that will allow close monitoring of student operators in the facility. “We view this state-of-the-art facility as potentially a great tool for teaching our Georgia Tech students about the ‘real-world’ issues involved with the generation of electricity. In addition, we see the center as a means of increasing Georgia Tech’s involvement with the many electrical utilities that are expanding and developing in the Southeast,” said Roger Webb, interim director of Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute. Beyond improvements for the power generation industry, the collaboration also is providing longterm economic development benefits to the state. “Georgia Tech is helping GSE Systems improve the technological knowledge base and the quality of the power generation work force — an area of critical importance to the state, nation and world,” said Wayne Hodges, the vice provost in Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. “As a result, GSE established a research and development operation in Technology Square, brought new hightechnology jobs to the state and will offer co-op, intern and full-time employment opportunities to our students.” GSE operates a similar simulation training facility at Strathclyde University in Scotland. It serves companies all around the world, including the Middle East, where it is building another center in the United Arab Emirates. Associate Dean Vito Named to New Vice Provost Post S aying it is the best way he can contribute to Georgia Tech, School of Mechanical Engineering professor Ray Vito has accepted the offer to become the Institute’s first vice provost of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. In the newly reorganized provost’s office, Vito will oversee curriculum development, educational technology and experiential learning initiatives such as the Honors Program and cooperative education. Vito has served both as associate chair for undergraduate programs in the School of Mechanical Engineering and associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering. Vito said he views the role as a facilitator, offering resources where necessary and helping to smooth the exploration of “a new, road toward systemic innovative, rigorous and improvements. flexible bachelor’s degree “I’ve seen it many program that will serve times and believe it in as a foundation for my heart: If you advanced study.” empower the faculty, He also hopes to good things will happen. advance a “culture of In this position, that’s the self-education,” where graduate and professors engage undergraduate students in the coordinators. They are Ray Vito excitement of learning and the people who make the motivate their desire to academic programs at have a positive impact on society. Georgia Tech work.” “We must encourage the kind of Citing the provost’s task force that broad thinking that comes along with is reviewing Tech’s undergraduate curriculum, Vito said some assessment an integrated learning experience,” he said. “I think this will encourage was already under way. But he also retention as well as additional study in drew upon the College of Engineering’s strategic plan, promoting the the field.” He emphasized his open-door policy regarding student concerns as well as his desire to solicit their opinions. “Student input is very important. I think we can learn a lot from them — we probably need to do more of it — and I would like to get them involved in some of the decisions that affect them.” Ultimately, Vito, whose research career has produced several patents and a commercial company, said he is intrigued by the opportunity to help define this new position. “I have an active research program and I don’t intend to give that up, but I think at this point in my career it is the best way I can contribute to Georgia Tech,” he said. 22 TECHTOPICS | WINTER 2007
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