Early-Stage Usability Testing of Thermal Power Dispatch Simulator Using Novice Operators

Abstract: Flexible Plant Operations and Generation (FPOG) allow nuclear power plants (NPPs) to exploit alternative, non-electric revenue streams while ensuring their sustained role as dependable and environmentally friendly sources of baseload electrical power. The surplus thermal energy produced by NPPs during periods of low electricity demand can be directed to industrial processes through a thermal power dispatch (TPD) system such as high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) hydrogen production. Previous work at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) involved developing and implementing a TPD system. An early-stage test using students as operator surrogates (n=12) was conducted using a modified GSE Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GPWR) simulator on a desktop computer display. The study is the first to evaluate the usability of the dual-train TPD design and operating procedures toward identifying HSI issues common to students and expert users. Participants completed a startup and shutdown scenario with the control system in a manual and auto-ramp mode for a 2x2 factor design. The qualitative data analysis identified issues within three themes: information display, perceptual organization, and procedural confusion. The most notable issues were the use of small font sizes, the non-salient nature of essential dynamic features, and the ineffective groupings of interface elements. Using student participants to identify usability issues at this early stage of the dual-train TPD development is a proactive and cost-effective approach that will enable a full-scope study using expert operators.

Keywords: Usability Testing, Thermal Power Dispatch, Novice Operators, Nuclear Power Plant, Control Room Operations

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005026

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