The fleet of power units within captive power plants (CPP) at gas industry enterprises, which ensure an uninterrupted power supply for electricity consumers involved in the extraction, transportation, storage, distribution, and processing of hydrocarbons, has been analyzed. The characteristics of their technical parameters are presented, and their operating conditions and modes are considered. Structural schemes for integrating CPPs into the general power system are described, including autonomous and parallel operation modes, allowing for the specifics of their application to be accounted for, considering the features of the facility’s power supply system and its reliability requirements.

Statistical data characterizing the operational parameters of the CPP power unit fleet have been processed and analyzed. The initial information includes the distribution of power units by rated capacity, length of service, and designation (primary, standby, emergency). The sample incorporated gas turbine, gas piston, and diesel power units, enabling an examination of various unit types and a comparative analysis based on the type of prime mover, power range, and operating conditions.

Analysis of quantitative distribution of power units showed that the overwhelming majority of CPPs are equipped with only one power unit, which reduces the reliability of power supply by increasing the probability of failures. The rise in failure probability is associated with the fact that a significant proportion of the power units has been in operation for more than 20 years. This extended service life underscores the necessity for timely maintenance and modernization.

The employed approach provides a foundation for formulating recommendations on the effective operation of electrical equipment, optimizing the structure of the power unit fleet, and planning repairs and modernization of CPPs based on actual performance indicators of the CPP power units. The results obtained can be applied in developing strategies for gas industry enterprises to improve the reliability and energy efficiency of electrical equipment, as well as to reduce operating costs.

This study examines China’s experience in standardization within the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It notes that while China and the IEC have a long-standing history of cooperation, China’s growing influence became particularly pronounced in the early 2000s when it began leading several committees and establishing new ones. The paper analyzes China’s activities in Subcommittee 77A, where it has not yet achieved dominance in terms of the number of representatives, nor secured a representative among the leadership. Key standards aimed at ensuring electromagnetic safety and protection against nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) are discussed. The study outlines the Chinese regulatory bodies responsible for implementing these standards, including the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the National Technical Committee on EMC Standardization, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). A comparative analysis between China’s national standards (based on the IEC 61000 series) and the corresponding international IEC regulations was conducted. It is noted that a significant portion of the IEC 61000 series standards (1 – 3, 4 – 23, 4 – 24, 5 – 8, 5 – 9) has not been adopted in China. The study forecasts China’s future engagement with the IEC in the field of electromagnetic safety, predicting that China will likely expand its influence within the organization and attempt to gain a leadership role in Subcommittee 77A to steer international standardization processes in a direction that aligns with its strategic interests. Under these circumstances, Russia must intensify its participation in the IEC to maintain its ability to influence electromagnetic compatibility standardization processes within one of the world’s leading electrotechnical organizations.

The essence of strategic innovative development is studied, with several main approaches to explaining this phenomenon in the activities of enterprises identified — factor-based, functional, systemic ones, in conjunction with efficiency — each defining "strategic innovative development" from a different perspective. The comprehensive approach was distinguished by the authors as the most relevant and was used as a basis for the authors' interpretation of the essence of the concept of "strategic innovative development". The main features of strategic innovative development of energy sector enterprises are identified, on the basis of which four types of implemented strategies are defined — an operational efficiency strategy, a sustainable development strategy and a digital transformation strategy. The main trends in pipeline transportation of hydrocarbons in the world are considered, including an analysis of the dynamics of the length of pipelines for transporting hydrocarbons on a global scale, an assessment of the trends in the development of oil pipeline infrastructure by regions is carried out based on an analysis of the dynamics of the length of oil pipelines under design and construction, as well as the dynamics of investment in the implementation of these projects. The features of strategic innovative development of hydrocarbon pipeline transportation enterprises are determined based on the study of foreign companies' experience; companies from China, the USA and Canada are considered as the most developed ones in the world in the sphere of hydrocarbon pipeline transportation. It is revealed that within the framework of the implementation of the operational efficiency strategy, hydrocarbon pipeline transportation operators implement projects for the development and implementation of technological and process innovations, within the framework of the implementation of the sustainable development strategy — projects for innovative technologies to reduce the negative effects of climate change, within the framework of the digital transformation strategy — projects for the implementation of innovative digital technologies. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the introduction of strategic innovative development in the activities of hydrocarbon pipeline transportation operators leads to an increase in operational efficiency, the achievement of sustainable development goals and an increase in energy security.

Blade strain gauging is one of the most widespread methods for determining the stress-strain state of loaded turbomachinery elements in various sectors of power engineering. Its application is based on the use of special measuring sensors — strain gauges — that allow determination of frequency and strength characteristics over most of the blade body. Strain gauging using strain gauges has found wide application in extractive industries, aviation, and stationary power engineering due to its ease of use and high measurement accuracy. In the latter case, it is used to determine the stress-strain characteristics of various loaded turbomachinery elements (shafts, blades, etc.). However, before using strain gauges it is necessary to calibrate them, which involves the use of special calibration systems designed for this purpose.

In modern strain gauge production, an important role is played by the determination of the gauge factor — a parameter that allows one to determine the amount of change in the sensor’s resistance due to deformation. Its use eliminates the need for calibration of measuring sensors, which simplifies measurement systems and increases the accuracy of the results obtained. For effective use of the gauge factor, it is also necessary to understand the factors influencing the accuracy of equipment readings.

This paper considers the possibility of using the gauge factor to improve the accuracy of strain gauging of loaded turbomachinery elements and determines the main dependences of its value on environmental factors and the properties of materials used in strain gauges. A practical implementation of this method using the Wheatstone bridge circuit and its theoretical foundations are presented.

During the operation of desalination plants of various principles, negative environmental impacts occur, firstly due to emissions of combustion products formed as a result of burning primary fuel required for the energy supply of the desalination process, and secondly due to emissions of concentrate, which is a solution of salts and minerals. Addressing the environmental problems associated with the operation of desalination plants is an urgent task. One possible solution is the development of energy-efficient installations in which brine is evaporated to a dry residue state, representing a commercially viable product. Since thermal desalination plants require heat removal for condensation of water vapor and supply of higher-potential thermal energy for the evaporation process, integrating heat transformers into the thermal schemes of desalination plants is promising. The authors have developed a thermal scheme of a gas-contact desalination plant, integrated with a steam compression heat transformer (HT). The influence of the working agent type on the performance indicators of the HT within the desalination plant was studied, and various HT energy carriers were analyzed. The highest transformation coefficient with the lowest compressor energy consumption is achieved when operating with the R600a working agent. Key performance indicators of the HT were calculated for different bubbling and drying temperatures of the steam-air mixture. The distribution of the working agent flow between the HT condensers was determined. It was established that the most efficient operating mode of the plant occurs at a heat lift height of 15°C. The developed technical solution for isobutane-based HT is effective at seawater salinity not exceeding 20 g/l.

The article presents an analysis of the influence of ejector characteristics and their number on the vacuum in the steam turbine condenser. An analysis of industrial test results for 12 ejector groups of various steam turbine units (STUs) was conducted. Based on this analysis, a new quantity — the ejector group quality indicator K_eg — was introduced, which depends on the volumetric and mass flow rates of the ejector group, as well as the amount of air leakage into the vacuum system of the condensing unit. A linear relationship was identified between the ejector group quality indicator K_eg and the relative pressure increase in the condenser δP. The coefficients of the approximating linear equation relating the ejector group quality indicator K_eg to the relative pressure increase in the condenser δP were calculated. It was established that at values of K_eg ≈ 2.8 or higher, the pressure in the condenser does not depend on the number of operating ejectors. The ejector group quality indicator K_eg was calculated for 33 different operating ejector groups of STUs with factory characteristics under conditions of normal and threefold excess air leakage. It was found that under normal air leakage conditions, about 94% of ejector groups have a K_eg value greater than 2.8, indicating a high performance margin. It was shown that when air leakage exceeds the normal value by three times, about 78% of the considered STUs fall into the region with K_eg below 2.8. A method is proposed for assessing the technical condition of an ejector without experimental determination of its characteristics on dry air, using the equations of the approximating linear equation relating the ejector group quality indicator K_eg to the relative pressure increase in the condenser δP.

Scientific approaches to the development of digital technologies for assessing economic efficiency and managing risks in energy production are presented using small nuclear plants as an example at the main stages of their life cycle. Efficiency indicators of the primary process equipment are determined based on the index method. It is shown that the calculation of the index enables a mathematically sound solution to the problem of efficiency assessment and risk management at the main stages of the plant life cycle. To evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken to ensure the safety of energy production, methods of predictive analysis and management in this area of modern production are proposed. The production system for operating complex technical systems is considered as an aggregate of three components: primary process equipment, resources, and human capital. A detailed set of factors influencing the reliability of personnel's production activities is presented. These factors include experience, safety culture, competence, and psychophysiological adaptation. Standard approaches to risk calculation are adopted, ensuring high reliability of the obtained results. The application of fuzzy set theory, as presented in the article, allows a mathematically correct solution to the optimization of the utility function and the determination of the possibilities and probabilities of risk realization. The damage resulting from risk realization is represented according to the composition and parameters accepted in the energy sector. The comprehensive risk analysis of energy production presented in the article enables fuller application of generally accepted methods of functional and cost analysis of complex technical systems at the main stages of their life cycle. The proposed technologies form the scientific and methodological foundation for neural network programming, machine learning, and predictive analysis in the creation and operation of small nuclear power plants using elements of artificial intelligence.

Currently, electric power companies place significant emphasis on the optimal placement and sizing of Distributed Generation (DG) units and Shunt Capacitors (SC) in radial distribution networks. In this study, the Reconfiguration Method (RM) is employed to determine optimal locations for a single DG unit and a single SC. Additionally, the Loss Sensitivity Factor (LSF) technique is applied to identify suitable installation sites for multiple DG units and SCs within the distribution network. The Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and Ant Lion Optimizer (ALO) algorithms are utilized to determine the optimal sizes of the DG and SC units. The main objective of this work is to minimize active power losses in the distribution network, enhance voltage profiles, and improve the voltage stability index through optimal DG/SC placement and sizing, subject to equality and inequality constraints. An IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system was used to evaluate the proposed algorithms. The simulation and analysis of various scenarios showed that integrating DG units and SCs significantly reduces power losses and improves voltage profiles across all buses of the network.

The possibilities for improving turbine equipment diagnostic systems by enhancing the ergonomics of their interfaces through the decomposition of business processes and their subsequent comparison with interaction scenarios implemented in the system are considered. The design and development of a modern turbine equipment diagnostic system is a complex task at the intersection of information technology and thermal power engineering. The effective operation of such a system can help an enterprise save a significant amount of financial and time resources by automating complex calculations, organizing information, and reducing the number of routine operations. On the other hand, failures in the diagnostic system create risks that can lead to significant losses. As a rule, when developing such systems, great attention is paid to data quality and the reliability of calculation algorithms. However, the reliability and effectiveness of the diagnostic process depend not only on the performance of algorithms and devices, but also on the actions of the system user — the operator performing the diagnostics. If the diagnostic system interface does not take into account the peculiarities of human perception of information, the user of such system will not be able to perform diagnostics correctly, or at least will encounter significant difficulties. Despite this, the issue of user-friendly interfaces is not covered in great detail in professional literature. The proposed approach to interface design will allow for a systematic analysis of their usability in the context of production tasks. In order to test the described approach, an analysis of the usability of the UrFU diagnostic system “Equipment Status Control” was performed, with ways to optimize human-machine interaction identified, and interface adjustments proposed.