Commercial applications of knowledge based systems: initiatives in the electric power industry

The session discusses the rationale which led to the development of KBTAC (Knowledge-Based Technology Applications Center) of the Electric Power Research Institute; the advantages that KBTAC brings to its user base; KBTAC data and knowledge base applications; and how these can be generalized to other applications. The initial focus of the Center will be on nuclear power plants. The approach of KBTAC is to provide several kinds of technical support so that utilities themselves can develop expert systems to address important problems in power plant operations, maintenance, and administration. KBTAC will help utilities select expert systems applications consistent with their internal resources. KBTAC will not only provide support for specific applications problems, but it also will provide technology transfer programs and consolidate sources of information to help utility engineers improve their general capabilities for applying expert systems technology