Innovations with a positive charge

The 28th Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum has been held in Minsk

The forum is, without exaggeration, one of the major and most vibrant themed events among the CIS. There, within the framework of international specialised exhibitions, the latest achievements of science, technology and engineering in energy, industry, ecology, energy saving, oil refining, as well as environmental protection and the use of renewable energy sources have been showcased. This year, more than 200 domestic and foreign companies — including representatives of China, Russia, and Iran — have presented their expositions at the forum. The dialogue platform of the event annually brings together dozens of experts from different countries who discuss key issues of the energy industry and ecology.

Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum (Energy Expo), Minsk            Daria Titova 

Rich programme

As Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich noted during the solemn opening, the fuel and energy complex of our country is successfully developing, ensuring national energy security, creating the basis for the formation of long-term plans for the development of economic sectors, and contributing to the improvement of the standard and quality of life of Belarusian citizens, “The programme of the forum and discussions will allow working out new approaches for the development of the fuel and energy complex and further innovative and technological advancement. Special attention is paid to all these issues. The forum agenda touches on many areas. This includes the further development of the fuel and energy complex, the use of the latest technologies and digital transformation, production ramp-up and the introduction of new import-substituting products, increasing energy efficiency and reducing the burden on the environment.” 
Viktor Karankevich emphasised that the rich programme of the forum is of interest to representatives of government bodies, international and scientific communities, experts and business partners who are interested in effective co-operative ties, and the creation of new high-tech industries. First Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council Igor Demidenko read out the welcoming address of State Secretary of the Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich, “The 28th Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum is a significant international event that has already become traditional. Leading experts and scientists, dedicated specialists meet at this venue, which offers a rich business programme.”
It was also stressed that the exhibition unveils those developments to which the countries of the collective West are trying to limit Belarus’ access. “We see that the modern world is in a state of global geopolitical tension caused by the redistribution of influence of the main centres of power, and the struggle for resources — both natural and intellectual,” the welcoming address read. “This significantly increases the importance of the forum.” 
Belarus’ Energy Minister Aleksei Kushnarenko told journalists that the share of the Belarusian NPP in the country’s energy balance is about 40 percent, “The Belarusian nuclear power plant is currently operating at full capacity, with both power units. In total, over 35 billion kWh of electricity has been generated since its commissioning. The plant already accounts for about 40 percent of the energy generated in the country. This allows us to work cost-efficiently — we have already replaced around 9.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas. In addition, it helps improve the environmental situation, since the plant allows reducing greenhouse gas emissions by seven million tonnes per year.”

Hundreds of developments

Visitors to the forum were able to see a wide range of developments from various fields. The event hosted international specialised exhibitions: Energy. Ecology. Energy Saving. Electro (ENERGY EXPO), Innovative Industrial Technologies (Green INDUSTRY), Salon of Innovative Transport (eTRANS), Technologies for Petrochemical Industry (OIL & GAS Technologies), ATOMEXPO Belarus, ExpoLIGHT, Water and Air Technologies, and ExpoCity.
This year, over 200 Belarusian organisations from the energy sector and foreign companies interested in the Belarusian market have been represented at the forum. The Energy Ministry, Belenergo, Beltopgas, the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, the State Energy and Gas Supervision Authority, the Belarusian Organisation for Radioactive Waste Management, and Economenergo have presented their expositions.
The State Committee for Science and Technology organised a collective exposition of educational and research organisations and institutions. Among them were the Education Ministry, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The stands demonstrated 77 domestic developments and featured a number of promising projects in the energy sector. The exhibition area of the collective stand was 96 square metres.
The key areas presented at the collective exposition included power plants, energy-efficient equipment and technologies in the energy sector, petrochemistry, industry and utilities. Automated systems, smart power grids, renewable and alternative energy systems, energy recovery, equipment for environmental protection, waste disposal and recycling were showcased, as well. 
Geoinformation Systems of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences unveiled a distributed system for receiving, processing and distributing operational space information from spacecraft, which has no analogues in the country. It allows receiving, processing, storing and distributing Earth’s remote sensing data from several meteorological satellites, providing consumers with this data up to several times a day. The collective exposition was presented by the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry. 
Over 30 Russian companies showed their achievements at the forum’s exhibitions. The collective stand of enterprises from the Udmurt Republic was widely presented. A number of Iranian companies demonstrated their capabilities. Moreover, 10 Chinese enterprises featured their collective stand.
The business programme of the forum encompassed 30+ events, including seminars, round tables, presentations, in which experts and representatives of organisations discussed topical issues of the industry. The participants of the dialogue platforms paid special attention to personnel training and strengthening ties between educational institutions that train professionals in engineering specialities with potential personnel customers.

28th Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum (Energy Expo) in Minsk featured the latest achievements of science, technology and engineering in energy, industry, ecology, energy saving, oil refining, and more          Daria Titova

TO THE POINT

At the Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum, Belarus’ office of Rosatom State Corporation — Rusatom Bel LLC — and the Belarusian logistics operator Beltamozhservice republican unitary enterprise signed a memorandum of partnership and strategic co-operation. The purpose of the document is to strengthen partnership relations and develop transport attractiveness between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. One of the promising areas of interaction is the transshipment of Belarusian cargo along the Northern Sea Route. 
Furthermore, a roadmap for co-operation was signed between Minsk Tractor Works and Rosatom Service JSC on the sidelines of the forum in order to develop collaboration in the field of robotic equipment implementation. 

By Ilya Kryzhevich