Introduction
The energy sector operates in some of the most complex, high-risk, and tightly regulated environments in the world. Offshore platforms, floating assets, power generation facilities, high-voltage electrical networks, and control rooms demand exceptional levels of technical competence, situational awareness, and decision-making under pressure.
At the same time, the industry is changing rapidly. Ageing workforces, increasing automation, tighter safety expectations, and the energy transition are all placing new demands on how people are trained. Traditional approaches: classroom learning, mentoring, and on-the-job experience, remain important, but they are no longer sufficient on their own.
Simulation-based training has become a critical enabler in addressing these challenges. Modern simulators replicate real-world systems and scenarios in a safe, controlled, and repeatable environment, allowing personnel to practise both routine and high-risk activities without exposing people, assets, or the environment to danger.
Crucially, advances in computing and connectivity mean that many simulators are now accessible online, delivered through the cloud, and available on a pay-per-use basis. This shift is transforming how simulation is deployed across the energy sector, making high-quality training more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective than ever before.
What Is Simulation-Based Training?
Simulation-based training uses mathematical models, software platforms, and realistic interfaces to reproduce the behaviour of real systems, equipment, and environments. In the energy sector, simulators are used to recreate:
- Process and utility systems
- Offshore platforms and vessels
- Electrical power systems and high-voltage networks
- Environmental forces such as wind, waves, and currents
- Human–machine interfaces similar to live operational systems
The aim is not simply to teach procedures, but to develop operational competence, the ability to apply knowledge and skills correctly in real conditions, including abnormal situations and emergencies.
Why Simulation Matters in the Energy Sector
High-Consequence, Low-Frequency Events
Many of the most dangerous events in energy operations occur rarely but have severe consequences. Examples include major power outages, loss of offshore stability, grid faults, or cascading system failures.
These scenarios are difficult and often impossible to practise safely in live environments. Simulation allows teams to experience and manage them repeatedly, building familiarity and resilience before they occur in reality.
Increasing System Complexity
Modern energy systems are highly interconnected. Offshore assets, onshore control rooms, electrical grids, and digital control systems are tightly coupled, meaning a local issue can quickly escalate into a wider system problem.
Simulators help trainees understand these interdependencies, supporting better decision-making and earlier intervention.
Rising Safety and Regulatory Expectations
Regulators increasingly expect organisations to demonstrate competence, not just provide training. Simulation enables observable, assessable performance aligned with regulatory and industry standards.
Types of Simulators Used in the Energy Sector
Operations and Control Room Simulators
Used to train personnel in:
- Normal and abnormal operations
- Alarm management
- Start-up, shutdown, and changeover procedures
- Emergency and incident response
These simulators often replicate real control systems, allowing skills to transfer directly to live environments. Read about the Pisys Control Room Training Simulator
Offshore and Marine Simulators
Designed for fixed and floating assets such as:
They simulate vessel behaviour, stability, ballasting, mooring, and the influence of environmental forces, supporting both routine operations and emergency preparedness.
Electrical and High-Voltage Simulators
Used to train authorised personnel in:
- Switching and isolation
- Fault diagnosis and system restoration
- Safety rule compliance
- Coordination between control rooms and field teams
These simulators are particularly valuable because they allow realistic training without energising live systems. Read about the Pisys High Voltage Training Simulator
Integrated and Team-Based Simulators
Advanced platforms combine multiple systems: process, marine, electrical, and human factors, enabling team training and cross-disciplinary scenarios that reflect real operational conditions.
Online, Cloud-Based, and Pay-Per-Use Simulation
From Capital Assets to On-Demand Services
Historically, simulators were expensive, site-based installations requiring dedicated hardware and significant capital investment. Today, many simulation platforms are delivered via the cloud, accessible through standard computers and networks.
This shift enables:
- Remote access from anywhere in the world
- Pay-per-use or subscription models, reducing upfront costs
- Rapid scaling to meet demand peaks
- Easier updates and maintenance
Benefits of Online Simulator Access
Online simulators make high-quality training accessible to:
- Smaller operators and contractors
- Distributed or offshore teams
- Organisations with variable training demand
They also support just-in-time training, refresher sessions, and rapid response to operational changes or incidents.
Implications for Competency Management
Pay-per-use access allows organisations to align training more closely with operational risk, rather than limiting simulation to infrequent courses. This supports a shift from event-based training to continuous competence development
Key Benefits of Simulation-Based Training
Improved Safety and Risk Reduction
Simulation allows personnel to practise hazardous tasks and emergency scenarios without real-world consequences. This improves preparedness and reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by unfamiliarity or poor judgement.
Experiential and Immersive Learning
Simulation moves learning beyond theory. Trainees experience cause-and-effect relationships in real time, reinforcing understanding and long-term retention.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Energy incidents rarely follow scripted paths. Simulation exposes trainees to uncertainty, conflicting information, and time pressure, conditions that closely mirror real emergencies.
Repeatability and Standardisation
Scenarios can be repeated, compared, and benchmarked across individuals, teams, and locations, supporting consistent training standards.
Objective Assessment and Feedback
Performance can be observed, recorded, and reviewed, enabling structured feedback and continuous improvement.
Long-Term Cost Efficiency
Although simulators require investment, online delivery and pay-per-use models significantly reduce long-term costs associated with travel, downtime, and live system disruption.
Evidence Supporting the Effectiveness of Simulation
Evidence for the Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Training
A substantial body of research from high-risk industries demonstrates that simulation-based training delivers measurable improvements in performance, safety and emergency preparedness when compared with traditional training approaches.
In terms of emergency response capability, simulation has been shown to improve the ability of individuals and teams to recognise abnormal conditions, prioritise actions and intervene before situations escalate. Research focused specifically on operator training simulators in the oil and gas industry concluded that simulation improves understanding of process behaviour and supports faster, more effective responses to abnormal and emergency situations (Kihlman et al., 2018: https://ep.liu.se/ecp/153/012/ecp18153012.pdf). Broader reviews of simulation-based team training also show consistent improvements in communication, coordination and decision-making — non-technical skills that are widely recognised as critical determinants of effective emergency response (Rosenman et al., 2022: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41077-022-00207-2).
Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that simulation improves operational performance by strengthening practical skills and decision-making in realistic, time-critical scenarios. A large meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Medicine found that technology-enhanced simulation consistently outperformed traditional teaching methods in terms of skills and performance outcomes, supporting the conclusion that simulation enables more reliable transfer of learning into operational practice (Cook et al., 2023: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1149048/full). Similar conclusions were reached in a BMJ Open systematic review of high-fidelity simulation for life-threatening scenarios, which reported significant improvements in performance-related outcomes compared with conventional training (Zendejas et al., 2019: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/2/e025306).
Evidence also indicates that simulation-based training reduces human error. A systematic review and meta-analysis of proficiency-based progression training reported fewer procedural errors and faster task completion following simulation-based training, indicating improved accuracy and procedural compliance under pressure (McGaghie et al., 2019: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/ws/files/92007385/A_Systematic_Review_and_Meta_analysis_on_the.16.pdf). These findings are particularly relevant to safety-critical environments such as energy operations, where small procedural errors can escalate into major incidents.
Although much of the strongest evidence originates from sectors such as aviation, healthcare and nuclear power, these industries share key characteristics with the energy sector: complex systems, high consequences of failure and a strong reliance on human decision-making. As a result, the demonstrated improvements in operational performance, error reduction and emergency response capability are widely regarded as transferable, underpinning the growing adoption of simulation-based training across offshore operations, power systems and high-voltage networks.
Offshore Wind: A Growing Use Case for Simulation
Offshore wind introduces new challenges:
- Marine operations in harsh environments
- Novel turbine and foundation designs
- Integration of offshore substations and export cables
- Complex maintenance and access logistics
Many scenarios are difficult to practise safely in live conditions.
Simulators can be used to train:
- Offshore wind farm operations and maintenance teams
- Vessel manoeuvring and access planning
- Emergency response and evacuation
- Coordination between offshore and onshore control centres
Simulation allows operators to prepare for both routine operations and rare but high-impact events.
Supporting Rapid Industry Growth
As offshore wind expands rapidly, simulation helps onboard new personnel efficiently while maintaining safety and operational standards.
High-Voltage Switching and Grid Expansion
Expanding Grids and New Risks
The transition to renewable energy is driving major expansion and reconfiguration of electrical grids. Offshore wind, interconnectors, and distributed generation introduce new complexity and operational risk.
High-voltage switching operations are critical to maintaining grid stability and safety during:
- Commissioning of new assets
- Maintenance and fault restoration
- Network reconfiguration
The Role of HV Simulators
HV simulators allow authorised persons to practise:
- Complex switching sequences
- Fault response and recovery
- Coordination between control rooms and field teams
Training can be carried out without energising equipment, significantly reducing risk.
Integrating Offshore and Onshore Systems
Simulation supports training across the full system — from offshore substations to onshore transmission networks — helping personnel understand how local actions affect wider grid performance.
Limitations and Challenges
Upfront Effort
High-quality simulation requires careful design, validation, and instructor expertise.
Model Accuracy
Simulators must be kept up to date to reflect current systems and procedures.
Blended Learning Requirements
Simulation complements, but does not replace, hands-on experience.
Best Practices for Simulation Programmes
- Align scenarios with real operational risks
- Integrate technical and non-technical skills
- Use performance data to drive improvement
- Refresh content as systems evolve
Conclusion
Simulation-based training is now a core component of competence development across the energy sector. Advances in online delivery and pay-per-use access have removed many historical barriers, allowing organisations of all sizes to benefit from realistic, high-impact training.
As offshore wind and grid infrastructure expand, and as operational systems grow more complex, simulation will play an increasingly important role in preparing people to operate safely, efficiently, and confidently in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
