Technologies are presented that are designed to implement a risk-based approach in the management of production assets in terms of implementing ontological modeling to assess the technical condition of equipment, potential damage, risk, determination of the composition, scope of work, timing, cost and scheduling, predictive diagnosis of equipment.

The problems of creating universal classifiers of production assets, duplicate items that have different interpretations in the name of the same equipment group, an incomplete list of positions by equipment groups, inconsistency of classification items and their attributes in various directories are identified and presented.

Scientific approaches are outlined to the formation of classifiers of the main technological equipment (MTE) in the electric power industry. The place of classification in the general algorithm of ontological modeling of production activities of energy facilities and the industry as a whole is determined, the urgent need is pointed out for classification work to introduce digital asset management technologies.

National standards are presented that define the requirements for the profiles of information models and the organization of information communication in the electric power industry and establish the composition of the information model to ensure unambiguous interpretation of transmitted and received data by all participants in the information communication in the electric power industry and comply with international standards, which allows implementing ontological modeling in accordance with the series CIM standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Analysis of the experience of the MTE classification in energy companies by type of production activity is made and presented, with the main problems in classifying their energy equipment and other physical assets identified. Comparative characteristic is given to the Russian classification systems and foreign ERP-systems. General approaches to classification issues are formed. Possible options for classifying assets are considered. Units of classification by depth and significance are defined for further use in the process of managing the “operation” stage of their life cycle. Specific directions are presented for using uniform equipment classifiers for cluster analysis of physical assets and developing decisions on the technical impact on them during the life cycle.

This paper considers a method for optimization of the prospective structure of electric power system (EPS), with account made for two criteria: cost-efficiency (minimization of specific reduced energy costs for customers) and capacity adequacy (minimization of capacity shortage probability). The proposed procedure is based on application of a genetic algorithm. The results of procedure evaluation have been considered by the example of optimization of the structure of generating capacities within a concentrated electric power system.

When planning EPS, engineering solutions should be examined that may be grouped in technologies based on the type and performance-based indicators. Technologies of generation development cover power station units and power generation plants of various types of different unit capacity. Technologies covering the development of electrical networks are as follows: construction of new power transmission lines of various voltage classes as well as means of reactive power compensation making possible to expand their capacity. Each technology should be provided with performance indicators and reliability data so as to ensure the calculation of target functions. Parameters related to the demand of power supply in EPS must be given as source data: forecast power consumption, peak electrical demands and electricity load curves, nonconforming load indicators with details for every node of electric power system.

To solve the problem while considering its discreteness and availability of two criteria, it is suggested to use a genetic algorithm. The calculation of target functions at each algorithm step is carried out by applying the Monte-Carlo technique. Compared to the standard problem statement of EPS planning, the solution of the proposed problem allows not only taking into account regulatory requirements as to EPS capacity adequacy but also selecting an optimal level of capacity adequacy on the basis of evaluation of a rise of costs incurred for providing the same, with due account made for the structure of a specific EPS and potential engineering solutions.

Issues are considered of normalization of digital training simulator systems to ensure the reliability of conditions for maintenance of electric power industry facilities. The reasons are identified of impossibility of achievement of the basic purpose of the first and subsequent standard documents, namely the unity of the structure and functions of engineering systems and means for training of personnel of power enterprises, power systems and associations. It is shown that the question - problem - hypothesis - analytical model - imitation model gnoseological chain defines both the structure and the essence of modern methodology of systemic imitation simulation of power facilities. At the same time, the most important modern methodological prerequisites for modeling are the probabilistic- statistical approach and multi-criteria optimization. Issues of analytical simulation, systemic concept, simulation in destabilization conditions, as well as systemic paradoxes of facility simulation are described in sufficient detail. The basic principles of systemic approach to construction of an all-mode real-time model, levels of its detailing and models of objects of control applied in practice are stated. At the same time, a great attention is paid to the physical-statistical approach to identification of simulation models, their verification and validation. A modern scientific classification of models, principles of their simplification is stated. On the basis of the stipulated positions it is stated that the approach to construction of an all-mode real-time model consists in separation of static and dynamic simulation functions with directional asymmetry of accuracy of separated functions. To generalize the aforesaid, an obvious conclusion is drawn that the previously adopted standards only defined requirements to a finished product and its subsystems, whereas the questions of methodology of working out a model and its digital (program) implementation were not considered at all. It therefore appears necessary to develop a new normative methodological document, in which the possibility of disclosing the purpose of its development should be provided, namely: assuring the unity of the methodology of development of the structure and functions of digital technological systems for training the personnel of power industry enterprises.

Computer simulators used in the educational process at the Kazan State Power Engineering University at the Department of Thermal Power Plants (TPP) are considered. To improve the quality of TTP thermal power equipment operation, it is advisable to use computer-based simulators simulating operation of TPP equipment. A computer class "Scientific and educational platform "Computer simulators in the heat and power industry" was created at the TPP department, which included all-mode computer simulators a PGU-410 power unit simulator (JSC "TEST"), and a PGU-450 power unit simulator (JSC "TEST"), a cross-connection power plant (JSC "TEST"). The process of introducing the training simulator and analytical complexes in the educational process is described: reforming of all training courses related to the study of thermal circuits and operation of thermal power equipment was required. To perform laboratory and practical works involving the use of computer-based simulators, educational and methodological support has been developed that helps to master the performance of tasks on simulators. The tasks that are solved using these complexes in the training process under educational programs of "Thermal Power Plants" department are described. The advantage of using such simulators in education is noted, because they allow students to get acquainted with the process of thermal and electric energy production at thermal power plants. The use of these programs in teaching students how to operate TPP equipment allows them to develop skills of managing power equipment in various operating modes, and thereby to accelerate further adaptation of graduates at the workplace. Recommendations are made on the functional capabilities of computer-based training simulator and analytical complexes for learning how to work on them.

When developing designs of mixing heat exchangers used in low-pressure regeneration system for turbines with power from 200 to 1200 MW of TPPs and NPPs, special attention is paid to protecting the turbine flow parts from dripping moisture.

Many years of work of JSC "NPO CKTI" on the research, development and implementation of low-pressure heaters (LPH) have shown that their installation in the vacuum zone of the condensate path, as well as in the zone of relatively low overpressure, ensures the maximum cost-efficiency and reliability of the turbine plant regeneration systems. However, an insignificant difference in operating pressures in the LPH and the heating steam from steam turbine extractions, typical for connection options for heaters, requires the development of additional organizational and technical measures to prevent water from entering the turbine. For stationary operating modes, there are two stages of protection against rising levels in the apparatus, providing reliable removal of water through the emergency overflow system or by stopping condensate pumps. In cases of emergency load dump of a turbine unit, the process of increasing the level in the LPH is much faster, up to boiling the entire volume of condensate.

The article discusses the possible conditions for the formation and penetration of droplet moisture into the flow part of the turbine. Analysis of well-known field and laboratory studies of the operation of LPH in the most unfavorable operating conditions (in particular, load shedding of a turbine unit) is carried out.

A description of the process of boiling water in mixing LPH during turbine load shedding is given. A variant of methodology for estimating the time of swelling of the water level in mixing LPH is proposed. The presented theoretical justifications make it possible to estimate the time of formation and growth of bubbles in deaerated water. The physical process under study is characteristic of the operating conditions of mixing heaters of the low-pressure regeneration system of turbine units and is of interest from the point of view of substantiating the action speed of the system for turbine protection from moisture entering the turbine with a return steam flow.

A modified scheme of heat supply of residential buildings with dependent connection to external heating networks, providing reliability of heat supply and the necessary comfort in the premises due to mixing of waste water after domestic hot water (DHW) heaters at an outdoor temperature exceeding the temperature graph break point, is considered. A review of possible ways to improve the reliability and safety of heat supply, improve the efficiency of heat sources, as well as regulate heat supply and prevent "overheating" near the beginning and end of the heating period is carried out. Calculations are carried out to determine the actual amplitude of temperature fluctuations in residential buildings with a daily variation in water flow rate after hot water heaters in the conditions of application of the considered scheme of connecting buildings to the heating network. Analysis of obtained results is given, and conclusions are drawn concerning the expediency of application of the above scheme. It is established that, given the thermal stability of enclosing structures, the daily flow rate fluctuations have no significant effect on the stability of the temperature regime of residential buildings and the comfort of their indoor microclimate at high outdoor air temperatures. It is shown that, in terms of reliability of heat supply of the main group of residential buildings and ensuring the life safety, the offered scheme is not inferior to the standard two-stage scheme of connection of DHW heat exchangers, with restriction of the total consumption of network water and with dependent control of heat supply to DHW, heating and ventilation. It is noted that in the scheme under consideration, the daily average consumption of network water to domestic hot water heaters over most of the heating period is higher or equal to the estimated consumption for heating and ventilation systems, which minimizes the time of using the mixing pump and provides for the regulation of heat supply only at the expense of the wastewater circuit.