Elizaveta Ivanova, a graduate student of the Department of Automated Electric Power Systems at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI), proposed to increase the efficiency of energy infrastructure in small and medium-sized cities by including a heat storage device in the power supply system.
"The high cost of energy combined with unsatisfactory continuity of energy supply affect the quality of life in small and medium-sized cities. An analysis of the energy infrastructure has shown that the separate production of thermal and electric energy dominates in the territory of such cities. The power supply is external, and the basis of heat supply are gas and coal-fired boilers. There are frequent utility accidents and interruptions of heat and power supply. The task arises of increasing energy efficiency and energy saving in the energy infrastructure of small and medium-sized cities by transforming boiler houses into mini-CHP plants based on gas turbine and gas piston technologies. In addition, the inclusion of thermal regulators, active heat points, electric energy storage systems, absorption refrigerating machines, and electric heaters in the energy infrastructure will create a flexible energy supply system," said Elizaveta Ivanova.
The methodology of the systematic approach was used in the study, which made it possible to comprehensively consider the energy infrastructure of small and medium-sized cities. Mathematical modeling of the joint operation of energy sources and various innovative technical means was performed. Based on the developed models, the software package "Selection of the composition of the equipment of the mini-CHP autonomous heat supply system" was registered.
"At this stage of the study, the following conclusion was obtained: the inclusion of a heat storage device in the power supply system will allow the transfer of thermal energy over time, which will ensure a tight schedule and reduce the impact of changes in ambient temperature on the operating mode of the source. With the advent of a heat storage device, a 16% increase in the efficiency of the heat source is achieved, the requirements for the size of reserves are reduced and the continuity of heat supply is increased. The materials of the conference "Electric Power Industry through the eyes of Youth — 2024" presented the effects of switching on storage devices, a mathematical model of a thermal storage regulator and their scope for daily and monthly regulation of load fluctuations," the graduate student noted.
The results of the study are of the greatest practical importance for local governments of small and medium-sized cities, which are extremely interested in improving energy efficiency and energy conservation of the energy infrastructure of the municipality.
According to Elizabeth, the solutions proposed in the work can be used in the development and updating of municipal heating supply schemes. Further plans include the development of tools for selecting the composition of innovative technical means in a flexible energy supply system.
Let us recall that at the 14th international scientific and technical conference "Electric Power Industry through the eyes of youth" Elizaveta Ivanova presented a report "The role of thermal storage in improving the efficiency of energy supply systems." The work received the second place in the direction of "Promising directions for the development of the electric power industry".