The energy of creation

Street lighting control systems, high-tech gas equipment and VR simulators for repair teams — Energy Expo forum was held in Minsk

The 26th edition of the Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum Energy Expo brought together energy industry professionals and experts who discussed the promotion of innovative technologies and best practices in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency in the fuel and energy complex and industry. More than 100 companies and organisations presented their achievements here.

The power system is stable

During the opening ceremony of the forum, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich emphasised that the Belarusian energy system is stable, “Our energy system provides a reliable, uninterrupted supply of energy resources to the country’s consumers in the required volumes. At the same time, a set of measures for import substitution is being implemented with the maximum involvement of industry organisations and industrial organisations aimed at replacing individual equipment, spare parts, components of imported production. Issues on service maintenance of equipment are being worked out with the involvement of Russian companies.” In addition, the minister said that the implementation of key investment projects in the energy sector continues in our country, “The main task for the energy complex is the commissioning of the second power unit of the BelNPP. The construction of peak-backup energy sources continues with the installation of highly maneuverable generating equipment with a total capacity of 800 megawatts. Work is being carried out at four large power plants:  the Berezovskaya State DistrictPower Plant, the Lukoml State DistrictPower Plant, Novopolotsk Cogeneration Plant and Minsk Cogeneration Plant No.5.”
The minister also spoke about how the implementation of union programmes in the energy sector is progressing. There are three of them: on co-operation in the field of nuclear energy, the formation of united markets for gas and electricity. “As for the nuclear power industry, practically all items of the program have been fulfilled. By the end of the year, it is planned to sign an intergovernmental agreement on radioactive waste management,” noted Viktor Karankevich.
As part of the implementation of the union programme to create a unified natural gas market, an active discussion is currently underway with the Russian side of the gas price for Belarus for 2023, as well as the principles of market formation. The implementation of the programme to create a unified electricity market is also progressing. “The agreement on the formation of the market has practically passed the domestic procedures and will soon be submitted for consideration to the governments of the two countries,” said the minister.

There is something to see

Along with the forum, an exhibition was held in the football arena, where industry organisations presented many developments and modern technological solutions in the field of energy, petrochemistry, energy saving and ecology. Vitebskoblgaz was among the participants. The company’s stand surprised with a variety of exhibits.
“This futuristic chair is a device for a medical examination of an employee before a shift. It measures pressure and temperature. It even has a built-in breathalyser. This sample is installed in the Vitebskgaz in the emergency dispatch service. All locksmiths and masters pass it before changing. He works there for the second year. The system functions automatically. It is very convenient,” the Deputy Director of ITGaz Ludmila Lisovskaya explained.
The specialist also demonstrated a system for monitoring the individual protection of an employee by artificial intelligence, “It contains two self-learning neural networks. Facenet recognises a face that is already in a single database. The second network recognises the presence of overalls. If some elements are missing, a message about the violation will be sent to the immediate supervisor. The system works at enterprises in Minsk, Brest, Mogilev and Gomel. It was created in 2021.” In turn, BKM HOLDING, formerly known as Belkommunmash, presented an electric truck of the VITOVT series. The machine has a carrying capacity of 7.8 tonnes, is capable of driving 200 kilometres on a single charge. It takes 90 minutes to recharge the vehicle.

Charge for the future

In our country, they do not lose sight of the global trend for electric transport and make a big bet on the implementation of a comprehensive programme for the development of electric transport until 2025. The course of its implementation and prospects were discussed by experts during the round table called ‘Electric Transport: Reality and Prospects’ organised as part of the forum. Director General of the Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus State Scientific Institution Sergei Poddubko said that the National Academy of Sciences is actively working with the Industry Ministry, which ensures the implementation of scientific projects both in terms of manufacturing base components and in the field of electric transport, “For example, now the Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is developing an electric garbage truck together with the MAZ company. It will be silent. We are also working on an electric version of the apron bus for airports. The Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has innovative projects that are focused on the creation of new components for electric vehicles of various segments. Work is underway to create an asynchronous traction motor for 130 kW. Mastered the production of synchronous motors. A range of reducers, gearboxes of various types is also being developed. In addition, a monoblock power drive for electric trucks and electric buses with a power of up to 200 kW is under development.” In turn, the BelGee Director General Gennady Svidersky, recalled that last year the Geely Geometry C electric car was launched on the Belarusian market, “The serial operation of this car took almost the entire year. Market reviews are positive. It was decided to send an additional number of cars to dealerships at the end of the year. The power reserve of the electric car is 550 kilometres, all the necessary parameters are provided.”
Gennady Svidersky also drew attention to the fact that there is a new budget version of Geometry E.
The specialist summed up, “If we talk about Belarus, then we have a unique opportunity to join the global dynamics of the production and operation of electric vehicles. The length of our roads is relatively small. Their quality is good. EZS infrastructure has been created. However, if we talk about production, then there are some constraints. In our plant, we had to completely renew the model range in five years, and these are expenses that we need to recoup. We cannot take long strides, but nevertheless, as far as electric transport is concerned, this is a priority task for us. We must solve it.”

By Ilya Kryzhevich
Photos by BELTA, www.sb.by