Virtual reality applications in T&D engineering

Visualization technology (VT)-the author´s more meaningful definition of virtual reality is a commercial reality. Visualization technology can provide a realistic model of the real world, place a user within the synthetic space and allow him or her to interact within that space through head mounted displays, CRTs, data gloves, and 3D mice. Existing commercial applications of VT include the emulation of power plant control room panels, 3D models of commercial and industrial buildings and virtual models of transportation systems to train the handicapped. The authors believe that VT can greatly reduce the costs and increase the productivity of training T&D personnel-especially for hazardous assignments such as live-line maintenance. VT can also reduce the costs of design, construction and maintenance of major facilities such as power plants, substations, vaults, transmission lines and underground facilities