Modernization of energy systems and municipal infrastructure requires increased attention from the government, additional funding and high-quality specialists. These issues were discussed by experts during the round table «Integrated development, modernization and accessibility of energy systems and municipal infrastructure», held as part of the Russian International Energy Forum.

The event was held with the support of the Association of Energy Enterprises of the Northwestern Federal District (AEE NWFD), the National Association of Energy Enterprises (NAEE), the Scientific and Expert Council for Monitoring the Implementation of Legislation in the field of energy, Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Improvement, and EF-International LLC.

Vladislav Ozorin, President of the AEE NWFD, Chairman of the NAEE Scientific Expert Council, corresponding member of the Petrovsky Academy of Sciences and Arts, began the discussion. «As one of the experts of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), in 2007 we created a model law on energy security of the CSTO countries. This is probably one of the most important documents of the century, because it defined everything from the moment of financing certain issues related to our energy security to energy efficiency and energy conservation. We hoped that such a document would be adopted at least at the regional level. Unfortunately, we have given birth to an energy strategy that continues to become obsolete and which is constantly being amended,» Vladislav Ozorin shared.

At the same time, he clarified that Russia has a strategy for the development of the industry until 2035, and the Russian Government is preparing a new document designed until 2050. However, as many years ago, the main problems remain the same: access to power grids, pricing, protection of the rights of market participants, and a high level of equipment wear. «In 2009, I wrote an article that the wear of the main equipment of the network complex was 70%. Why haven’t we done anything in this area since 2009? And if we didn’t, it means that the strategy was wrongly built,» Vladislav Ozorin added.

In addition to the legislative aspects, we are talking about network companies. Last spring, the Russian Government submitted amendments to the Federal Law On Electric Power Industry to the State Duma, consolidating the concept of a backbone territorial grid organization. In fact, the legislative initiative is aimed at consolidating the electric grid market. Now the power engineers face the problem of how to balance the networks of small companies. However, the «kids» themselves are not averse to integrating into a territorial company in order to survive.

From the speech of Vitaly Stromakov, Deputy General Director of PJSC ROSSETI Lenenergo, it followed that there were enough problems with the modernization of equipment. «We have a too long cycle from identifying problems to fixing them,» he said. As an example, the expert cited a case when it was necessary to modernize a substation in order to reduce the energy load on the working equipment. The company calculated and came to the conclusion that it was more efficient to install an additional transformer. However, the network organization refused to coordinate such a step, because it contradicts the regulations. As a result, lengthy approvals were required for the installation of new equipment. Sometimes such processes generally take years, and while coordination is underway, energy consumption increases many times. As a result, when it comes time to install a more powerful transformer, its power is no longer enough.

Aleksey Petlichenko, Head of the Department of the STC «Energy Supply» of Gazprom Promgaz JSC, touched upon the topic of fuel and energy balances of companies. He said that one of the main reasons for the emergence of a surplus or deficit in the energy balance of companies is the approach to working with consumers. According to the expert, it followed that the legislation allows grid companies to sell energy to the end user both in terms of actual consumed volumes and contractual ones — on average. As a rule, the latter option is more profitable, since the price for energy resources will be thereby higher. However, there is a risk of getting surpluses, because end consumers may not consume enough energy, and this already results in monetary losses for the supplier. However, if consumption is calculated incorrectly, it is possible to get an energy deficit.

The topic of accounting was also raised by Evgeny Kikot, General Director of Neva Energy LLC. The company specializes in the development of mathematical models for solving problems of operation and development of municipal infrastructure systems. According to him, the main problem of small towns and municipalities remains underfunding and the lack of specialists capable of making calculations correctly. As a result, a vicious chain of events turns out: there is no money and no qualified specialists, and problems arise in the housing and communal services, which result in a loss of money.

Arkady Semyaninov, President of the NAEE, believes that all the issues raised at the round table require urgent solutions. Otherwise, not only the industry will suffer, but also ordinary consumers.

During the four hours that the event lasted, the experts actively exchanged opinions. At the same time, the dialogue developed in a constructive manner, when, after describing the problem, the participants all tried to find a solution. As a result, all proposals have been collected and will now be sent to the relevant committees of federal and regional authorities.