Industry News

Industry News11.09.2022

Industry Center of Technological Competences: to develop the electric power industry collaboratively

 Alexey Doronin, Managing Director for Strategy and Development, Director of ICTC

Tanais Medetbekova, Lead Data Collection and Strategic Research Manager

The Industry Center for Technological Competences (ICTC) in the field of electric power industry of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan was created on the basis of KOREM JSC on behalf of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev a little over a year ago.

In the meantime, ICTC is entrusted with promoting the development of the electric power industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan by ensuring effective interaction between leading universities, research institutes, leading TADs in the electric power industry and government agencies in the implementation of projects. The industry center should assist in the staffing of the industry by identifying expected changes, participate in the development of educational platforms, implementation of innovation policy and coordination of power industry entities, scientific community, TSDs, investors and government agencies, facilitate industry conferences, round tables, forums, webinars, lectures, seminars, and other educational events.

The main four directions of the center activity are determined. Firstly, it is the organization of collaboration between the state, business entities, science, and civil society by creating the conditions for the “Legal Framework”, “Organizational Structure”, and “Technological Platform”.

Secondly, the development of professional personnel in the electric power industry is planned to be carried by creating the Learning Management System (LMS) - a platform to promote the staffing of the industry by determining the expected changes in the competencies of workers and the specialty, participating in the development of standards and educational programs.

Thirdly, Research & Development (Research and Development) involves the participation of ICTC in the development and organization of the implementation of innovation policy and coordination of electric power industry entities, consumers, scientific and educational organizations, domestic producers, investors, and government agencies. Finally, the fourth direction - Energy Events - involves the experience exchange.

Organization of collaboration

As part of the creation of a legal framework to ensure collaboration between the state, business entities, science, and civil society, ICTC was developed. The order of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 283 dated September 06, 2021 stipulated the approval of the Regulation on ICTC, which regulates the powers, rights, and obligations. In addition, the following documents on planning, project management, various regulations and memorandums were developed and adopted as well as the rules for holding competitions at the Astana Hub were approved.

For the effective interaction of the business community, associations, and other legal entities with public authorities to solve the problems of implementing the tasks set, three CCS were created as part of ICTC. Their goal was to develop centralized trading in electric energy, operators of the centralized trading market, trading platform, develop and/or create information security systems for functioning of the centralized trade market, necessary to improve the reliability, security, and quality of electricity supply to consumers, as well as reduce the cost of electricity.

CCS for technological monitoring is designed to solve the tasks of implementing the National project "Technological breakthrough through digitalization, science and innovation", approved by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 727 dated October 12, 2021, on the creation of a "Digital Map of Generation".

The third CCS will contribute to the development of the human resources potential of the electric power industry.

Each CCS included representatives of companies in the electric power industry, associations, vendors, scientific community (universities), and independent experts. With the participation of the leadership of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, meetings were held via videoconference to discuss the organizational issues of CCS, results of the ICTC work, and problematic issues in specified directions. Based on the results of these meetings, a survey of participants was conducted to determine a consolidated opinion and vision for further work.

Thus, CCS became permanent bodies of ICTC for the implementation of directions. Regular face-to-face meetings and videoconferencing meetings were held with donor representatives. With a number of companies such as Tetratek (USAID), PWC, AFD, AIKON, E2 Energy, memorandums of cooperation and non-disclosure of information have been concluded, which allowed more successful project support and information exchange.

Implementation of ICTC projects

On October 7, 2021, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a list of “national projects” aimed at improving the quality of life in the country. Two of them provide for activities aimed at digitalization of the electric power industry of the Republic: the National Project "Technological breakthrough through digitalization, science, and innovation" and the National Project for the Development of Entrepreneurship for 2021-2025.

The implementation of the Digital Map of Generation project provides for the implementation of a platform solution for monitoring the state of the equipment fleet of power generating organizations, with full certification and functionality for managing repair regulations.

Relevant work on the project for the Energy Metering and Loss Monitoring System includes the development of the Smart Grid concept, implementation of a pilot in the city of Nur-Sultan, and development of standards for Smart metering technology (Smart energy metering) and communication systems. This includes the provision of a data transmission infrastructure for power facilities and coverage of digital commercial electricity metering systems and telemetry systems for wholesale and retail market entities with data transfer to a single digital platform and SCADA system.

The creation and implementation of a digital cabinet for electricity consumers is of great importance. The digital map of hydro potential project is aimed at implementing the activities of the Development Plan for the hydropower industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2030, approved by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan on September 4, 2020.

Digital Map of Generation Project

The goal of the "Digital Map of Generation" project is to organize the operational mode of fixed production assets, ensuring the maximum possibility of loading production by maintaining the technical readiness factor at an acceptable level of planned downtime for maintenance and repair.

Digital Map of Generation is aimed at automating the process of obtaining data on the execution of repair and investment programs, equipment loading; determination of the technical condition index; substantiation of point budgeting for the modernization of production equipment; reducing the gap between installed and available capacity; increasing the technical reliability of the equipment of generating facilities; submission of reports on technological violations and operational messages; creation of Status Twin prototypes for all stations.

Based on the results of 2021, the Company performed certain work under the Digital Map of Generation Project. Thus, the initial stage of surveying the generating stations was carried out to identify primary data on the processes and tools that ensure the processes of accounting for the equipment fleet and monitoring the technical condition. The data has been received from all stations and is being processed. Official letters were sent to form working groups at the stations of Astana-Energy JSC and UKHPP LLP. Working groups have been formed and approved at both stations.

Also, all the materials provided on the main and auxiliary equipment from UKHPP LLP were developed and studied; a detailed analysis of business processes to ensure repair activities was carried out. Currently, work is underway to organize a complete certification, within the framework of which questionnaire templates are created for filling out. Details of all existing stations are being studied and the search for technologically and structurally identical equipment is being carried out. All types of reports received by CAESC from generating organizations have been developed and converted into a digital format.

A complete hierarchy of Astana-Energy JSC equipment was compiled; certification of the main and auxiliary equipment of Astana-Energy JSC and UKHPP LLP was carried out. An electronic archive of technical documentation for Astana-Energy JSC and UKHPP LLP has been developed.

The Concept for implementation of the project "Digital Map of Electricity Generation Facilities of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and the basic requirements for software for the digitalization of processes have been developed. Station profile layouts were designed.

For 2022-2023, it is planned to conduct a technical audit at 59 facilities, amend the regulations regarding the submission of data to the system (approval of the reporting form, data transfer regulations, strengthening measures to control the transfer of data from metering devices). It is planned to put into commercial operation the software of the Digital Generation Map, as well as to integrate it with systems of energy producing organizations to obtain data.

The technical audit of energy producing organizations will be carried out under a project opened and financed by the World Bank. Project title: "Analysis of the power system grid to support grid stability and clean energy development strategies for Kazakhstan."

To date, the Company has registered on the World Bank website (hereinafter referred to as WB) and received confirmation; bank data are sent to receive project financing; account registration was verified and confirmed; the Technical Proposal (hereinafter TP) was prepared, signed by the project participants and verified by the WB consultant, sent to the WB office; the Financial Proposal (hereinafter FP) has been prepared.

It is planned to conclude an agreement with WB to carry out work on the coordination of consultants in conducting a technical audit; selection of consultants by the bank; organizing the work of consultants in the process of conducting a technological audit; and closing the initial stage of the project.

Documents for consultants, technical audit algorithm (hereinafter referred to as TAA), and the work schedule of consultants for TAA have also been prepared. These documents will be agreed and developed with the consultant after the start of the project.

Creation of the Digital account of consumers

The project to create a Digital Consumer Cabinet is aimed at implementing a number of measures approved by the Government. The main goal of the project on the creation of a Digital Consumer Cabinet is the comprehensive development of competition in the electricity market of Kazakhstan, aimed at providing access to markets in the electricity industry as part of eliminating pricing distortions.

Within the framework of this project, the following should be solved: tasks of introducing an online digital platform for changing the supplier of electricity; increase in the volume of electricity sold at centralized auctions from the total volume of sales; and increase in the proportion of consumers who switched to alternative electricity suppliers.

At present, ICTC has carried out an analysis of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of organizing energy supply to end consumers of electricity. The world experience in the digitalization of activities of energy supply organizations has been studied. A project has been developed to create a digital consumer cabinet. This year, it is also planned to discuss problematic issues on the project with independent experts within the framework of the established CCS. Proposals and additions to the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan are being developed. The development of the software for the Digital Account of the Consumer has begun.

Creation of a Digital Hydro Potential Map

The goal of the project on the creation of a Digital Hydro Potential Map is to promote the development of the hydropower industry by developing an information platform for attracting investments in the hydropower industry.

The project on the creation of a Digital Hydro Potential Map provides for the determination of the effective physical hydro potential of rivers of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Creation of an online map with a list of HPP construction projects being implemented by investors. Information on the status of implementation of projects included in the online map is supported. The following information is being supported: the location, load, and plans for the development of the power grid infrastructure; status of lands for promising hydropower projects; and site selection for HPP design auctions. Information is also being prepared for the creation of a master plan for the hydropower development.

As for the work done, at the request of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, information was received on the issued technical conditions for connecting HPPs, maps of electrical networks for EKREC (VK REC), TATEK, and AZhK. Information was received from most investors on the technical and economic indicators of HPP projects for inclusion in the online map. Maps of 1:50000 and  1:25000 scale were received. They show stock materials of the water-energy cadaster and surface water resources of KazSSR, water flow at the gauging stations of Kazhydromet RSE, and water at hydroelectric facilities of Kazvodkhoz RSE.

Based on the analysis and processing of the information received, 54 river basins and 2070 rivers with tributaries were identified. A hydrological network of rivers was drawn along the basins of rivers of South-Eastern Kazakhstan, including Tekes, Sharyn, and Shelek as well as along the basins of rivers of East Kazakhstan, including Uba and Ulba. The database configuration for the digital map was defined; the definition of users and their roles, the terms of reference were discussed and brought to the developers.

A software prototype for the Digital Hydro Potential Map was developed, and information on the hydrological network was entered for three river basins: Tekes, Sharyn, and Shelek. The rivers were divided into sections with the determination of the height difference, flow rate, length of sections with the calculation of the hydropower potential, etc.

The Digital Generation Map software was launched in a pilot mode at the end of 2021. It currently consists of the following information layers:

- Data on rivers (Coordinates, sites, gauging stations, waterworks).

- Data on networks and infrastructure (Substations, lines (power lines), roads, communication networks).

- Data collection environment (Continuous data enrichment and updating).

- Feedback (Tools of information support for investors).

Within the framework of cooperation with UNICASE (USAID), there is a study on the land legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the allocation of land for the construction of a hydroelectric power station. Based on the results of this study, proposals will be developed to amend the current land legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the allocation, use, and return of land for the implementation of investment projects for the construction of hydroelectric power plants.

Development of professional personnel

The creation of an industry platform for the registration and development of professional personnel (LMS) is aimed at promoting the improvement of the education system, which should provide the digital economy with competent personnel. It includes the modernization of educational programs and training of specialists, design of new educational programs, development and implementation of additional professional education programs. The LMS platform will have two main functions:

1. Organization and running of advanced training courses for professional technical specialists of the power and heat energy industry:

2. Audit by entities of the electric power industry of professional technical specialists and planning of advanced training courses

To date, several meetings have been held in this area with the Bureau for Continuing Professional Development (BCPD) of AIFC to study the experience of organizing distance learning and mutually beneficial cooperation. Meetings were held with USAID and AFD representatives to identify opportunities to assist in the preparation of educational content within the framework of their programs. The study of advanced educational platforms was carried out and the terms of reference for the LMS platform were developed.

Within the CCS framework CCS created to develop the human resources potential of the electric power industry with the involvement of experts who are employees of HR departments of electric power companies and universities, it is anticipated to discuss the ICTC proposals and to determine a balanced decision on them.

 

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