Energies (Sep 2023)
Approaches to Sustainable Energy Management in Ensuring Safety of Power Equipment Operation
Abstract
The study considers ways to ensure the quality of the functioning of power equipment as one of the directions for ensuring the safety of energy complexes in the period of “green transformation”. Based on the analysis, it is established that for an effective “green” transformation, it is necessary to ensure the energy safety of equipment operation, which is possible by developing effective science-based approaches to technical diagnostics of the state of power systems and individual equipment. The main objective of the study is to develop a Safety Management Model for Life Term Operation of power equipment, which takes into account changes in its condition at different stages of operation and allows for the prediction of further safe operation. The paper proposes an approach to researching the technical condition of power equipment, taking into account the deformations that occur during operation. The results of the calculation of stress intensity coefficients for longitudinal and transverse-postulated cracks in different modes are presented. Based on the calculated and experimentally obtained values, an approach to predicting the operating life of power equipment with regard to changes in technical characteristics is proposed. The results of the calculations showed that by changing the allowable load on the material of the energy equipment to 35 kgf/mm2, the estimated operational lifespan could be extended until 2035, ensuring all necessary safety conditions. It has been proven that with effective management and continuous safety diagnostics, nuclear power plants have the potential to operate beyond their standard design life of up to 30–40 years. This approach allows for the quality and safe operation of power equipment in the context of the transition to sustainable energy.
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