The Novosibirsk State Technical University ( NETI) is working on the project "Methods for the development of heat supply systems as part of municipal energy infrastructure". The project, which is being implemented with the support of the Russian Science Foundation and the government of the Novosibirsk Region, will improve the efficiency of heat supply to territories from large cities to small towns.
The authors of the project propose the creation of several integrated power supply systems based on cogeneration, which will increase the efficiency and flexibility of the heat supply system, and provide a simplified mode of operation for worn-out heating networks.
"Cogeneration is a globally recognized and effective method of combined heat and electric energy production. Its advantages include maximum efficiency, which leads to lower costs for energy generation and its reduction in price, and in improving environmental performance. The proposed project of NSTU scientists, supported by the Government of the NSD within the framework of a regional competition with the Russian National Fund, provides for the creation of integrated energy supply systems in settlements, which will be based on a system of modern mini-CHP units. The use of such a system minimizes energy losses and reduces the risk of utility accidents by evenly redistributing the load on the network. In general, 86 million rubles will be allocated from the regional budget for this measure of research support in conjunction with the Russian Science Foundation this year," commented Vadim Vasiliev, Minister of Science and Innovation Policy of the Novosibirsk Region.
"We have conducted a study of the current state of heat supply systems and an analysis of heat supply schemes for small, medium, and large cities. The sources of heat and electricity in large cities are combined heat and power plants; in remote areas of large cities, as well as in small and medium-sized cities, boiler houses are mainly used as sources of heat supply. Heat supply systems in municipalities in Russia, including in the Novosibirsk region, are characterized by the presence of heating networks with a long service life and increased wear, which leads to an increase in losses and a decrease in the reliability of heat supply, as well as to utility accidents. We have developed a methodology for analyzing and ranking territories in terms of opportunities to increase energy efficiency by converting boiler houses into mini-CHP units to increase the share of joint energy production. By analyzing, depending on various conditions: operating modes of electric and thermal networks, ratio of thermal and electrical loads, condition of networks, and other qualitative indicators, we determine the territories where the formation of integrated energy supply systems based on cogeneration is effective. An example of such an integrated system in Novosibirsk is the system of the Berezovoye microdistrict, where a station generates thermal and electrical energy. Thanks to cogeneration generation, high fuel efficiency is achieved and energy losses are minimized because of the close proximity of the source and consumers," says Lyudmila Myshkina, project manager, Associate Professor of the Department of Automated Electric Power Systems, Candidate of Technical Sciences.
Based on the methodology developed by NSTU (NETI) scientists, an analysis of Russian cities from the point of view of the potential for the development of cogeneration was carried out. The analysis considered the capacity and size of demand for thermal energy, the number of hours of heating period, the degree of deterioration of networks, and other factors. A map was drawn on which cities were divided into those with high potential and those with low potential for the introduction of cogeneration and the formation of integrated energy supply systems. The compiled map and the ranking of Russian cities, as well as the results obtained during the study, can be used in the formation of programs to improve the energy efficiency of regions. As for Novosibirsk, the city has a high potential for the development of modern small-scale cogeneration using gas technologies.
To implement the research part of the project, a laboratory stand with an active thermal node was purchased. This stuydy will conduct research on the effectiveness of the implementation of proposed measures for the formation of integrated energy supply systems in municipal energy infrastructure from the standpoint of increasing reliability and environmental friendliness.
