Lev Aleksandrovich Melent’ev: the founder of the scientific line “systems investigations in power engineering”

The main statements of the scientific line of pursuit referred to as systems investigations in power engineering formulated by L.A. Melent’ev are analyzed. The stages of and trends in the development of this scientific line of research are considered.     

Front Cover

Until recently, the efficiency of generation and transmission of electric power was enhanced by increasing capacities of generating units and the voltages of transmission lines. Capabilities of new energy technologies (high-technology and high-efficiency gas-turbine units of small capacity, fuel cells, energy storage systems, FACTS, etc.) change this tendency radically. In the area of electric power generation, it resulted in a new notion, dispersed generation. In the past, these tendencies for capacity increase were also characteristic of Russia, including its Asian part, Current conditions make one review many fundamental concepts. On the whole, the trend to reject construction of large thermal and hydro power plants has been observed. The use of the up-to-date, economically efficient, and ecologically clean coal-combustion technologies is envisaged, since, in East Siberia and Far East Russia, coal will make up a considerable fraction of fuel supply to power plants for the foreseeable future. Construction of gas-fired power plants is also considered. Economic conditions for growth of dispersed generation in some areas arise. Available natural resources (geothermal energy, wind, gas and hydro energy, etc.) are conducive to it. In electric networks, DC transmission lines are the only possible solution for constructing interstate ties in the region. Firm rates of development in these directions will be determined by the global tendencies and prevailing conditions.     

Introduction of color centers in fluorinated sol gel quartz glasses by radiation thermal treatment

Data are presented to show how fluorination influences the optical quality and radiation resistance of quartz glasses fabricated by the sol gel method. It is found that under the action of gamma radiation, mainly E′ centers form in the glasses. The incorporation of fluorine in the xerogel lattice promotes the removal of hydroxyl groups and enhances the radiation optical resistance of the synthesized samples in the red. It is observed that the radiation resistance of the glass is enhanced in the ultraviolet by using irradiation-annealing cycles and this is attributed to a decrease in the concentration of radiation-induced E′ centers. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 74–79 (December 26, 1997)     

Problems of regional energy provision in the energy strategy of Russia to 2030 and prospects for low-capacity nuclear power plant development

One problem of energy policy is stimulation of comprehensive development of a regional power supply, including power generation by low-capacity nuclear power plants in the regions where such sources could be competitive. Variants of the power supply for the Chaun-Bilibono isolated power system are examined as an example of the validation of the choice of promising power supplies for isolated northern regions where low-capacity nuclear power plants can be used. It is shown that the disproportions in regional power supplies in the country can be reduced by building low-capacity nuclear power plants. Their role and place in providing power in different regions must be examined from the systems standpoint taking account of their combined operation as part of electric power systems as well as economic, ecological, and social criteria.     

A Suite of Intelligent Tools for Early Detection and Prevention of Blackouts in Power Interconnections

We propose a suite of intelligent tools based on the integration of methods of agent modeling and machine learning for the improvement of protection systems and emergency automatics. We propose an online approach to the assessment and management of dynamic security of electric power systems (EPS) with the use of a streaming modification of the random forest algorithm. The suite allows to recognize dangerous modes of complex closed-loop EPS, preventing the risk of emergencies on early stages. We show results of experimental tests on IEEE test systems.