RDCPE has substantial successful experience in scientific oversight, coordination and support during installation of frequency-regulated power drives at thermal power stations, including, among other things, expert review of drive equipment for electric energy facilities and development of related rules and regulations.

Additionally, RDCPE has developed scientific and technical guidelines for the design and application of frequency-regulated power drives for the primary coolant pumps of nuclear power stations, primarily for generator units equipped with fast breeder reactors.

Our extensive experience as well as proprietary research in installation of regulated power drives guarantee the highest quality of services, including:

• Examination of internal energy needs and equipment at thermal power plants, identifying opportunities for energy savings, recommendations on replacement or upgrade of machines and their power drives;
• Development of guidelines for proposals and studies for the use of frequency-regulated power drives during new construction, upgrade or reconstruction of thermal power plants;
• Program development for installation of frequency-regulated power drives based on examination of machinery serving internal energy needs at thermal power plants, wholesale and regional generating companies’ power plants;
• Systematic analysis of specifications for variable speed power drives and high-voltage frequency converters for major domestic and foreign manufacturers (optional);
• Expert review of design documentation and consumer characteristics of frequency converters for variable speed power drive to verify compliance with industry guidelines and determine feasibility of their use at power plants;
• Upgrades of technical specifications for variable speed power drives in light of the increasing assortment of frequency-regulated equipment designed to serve internal energy supply needs at thermal power plants;
• Pre-design activities, development of technical documentation for design companies and expert consulting during detail design phase of frequency-regulated power drive installation at thermal power plants. Commissioning and operations testing for power drive installation at specific energy sector facilities;
• Development of technical rules and regulations addressing the use of variable speed power drives at thermal power plants, including detailed questionnaires for inspection of internal equipment and its power drives for specific energy sector facilities; recommendations for procurement documentation for purchases of electric power drive equipment for tenders;
• Comprehensive testing of frequency-regulated power drives of various internal equipment in its operational mode in order to verify energy savings, measure current voltage and high-level harmonics in the asynchronized motor and power supply network to verify electromagnetic compatibility and determine the regulation and energy featured of particular power drives;
• Development of recommendations to ensure electromagnetic compatibility within systems with powerful frequency-regulated electric drives, including the methodology for forecasting nonsinusoidality ratios in internal power supply systems.

The use of variable speed equipment for internal power supply needs at thermal power plants offers the following advantages:

• Optimization of surface heating of steam generators during generator unit unloading through reduced variation of temperature changes, increased reliability and extended design life;
• Prevention of hydrodynamic shocks in generator units during start-up and other transitional phases;
• Cost-efficient operation of generator units in variable steam parameter mode, and higher maneuverability and efficiency of fuel consumption during this mode;
• Additional capacity increase during peak system load times;
• The option of soft start-up mode with current values close to rated; restart of power drives in case of sharp fluctuations or short-term voltage drops in the internal power supply system;
• Reduction of air pollution (up to 1.5%) and CO2 emission (up to 1.5 tons*) per each saved ton of nominal fuel through optimized incineration practices.
  
  *As of March 2011, average market value of 1 emission reduction unit is approximately 9-10 Euros per 1 ton of CO₂equivalent
• Increased automation and improved SCADA system of power generator units.

The use of frequency-regulated power drives as a resource-saving technology for regulating internal power supply equipment during technical upgrades and reconstruction or new construction of thermal power plants leads to significant improvements in fuel consumption efficiency, reduced production and output costs of electric and thermal energy as well as extended design life of thermomechanical and electric equipment.

RDCPE has successfully completed over 40 installation projects involving frequency-regulated power drives.