MRSK Tsentra : Backbone power grid companies of Russia and Belarus held on the site of the Bryansk branch of IDGC of Centre a meeting on the organization of first responding and restoration operations in the border regions

Representatives of JSC "Russian Grids" and the State Production Association "Belenergo", which manages the electric power complex of the Republic of Belarus, held late last week in Bryansk a meeting on the topic "The first responding and restoration operations in the distribution grid complex". The event was organized within the framework of the signed "Strategic Cooperation Agreement" by the backbone electric grid companies of Russia and Belarus in January 2015, the aim of which is to achieve long-term cooperation in the field of electric power systems of the two countries, training of personnel, exchange of experience with regard to operation, maintenance and repair of power grid facilities.

The meeting was held on the site of the Bryansk branch of IDGC of Centre (part of "Russian Grids"). The venue was not chosen by chance: the Bryansk region borders the Gomel and Mogilev regions of Belarus, and power engineers of IDGC of Centre have already had a positive experience of cooperation with Belarusian colleagues, including - during first responding and restoration operations and emergency response at power grid facilities. The power system of the Bryansk region is connected to the power grid of "Gomelenergo", its western and south-western regions, in accordance with the scheme, receive electricity from "Gomelenergo" with interconnections. In winter, the load on the grid reaches 70 MW. In this regard, development and further maintenance of effective interaction between working in the border regions energy companies in ensuring reliable power supply is a task of utmost importance.

Opening the meeting, Director of the situational-analytical centre of JSC "Russian Grids" Dmitry Gvozdev outlined its main purpose: it is working out with colleagues from Belarus issues of mutual aid at emergency violations in the border regions. He noted the relevance of the topic, taking into account the fact that three Russian entities border Belarus: in addition to the Bryansk region, it is also the Smolensk and Pskov regions.

Deputy Chief Engineer of SPA "Belenergo" Valery Porshnev, saying in his speech on the characteristics and future trends in the development of electric grids of Belarus, elaborated on the main aspects of the organization of first responding and restoration operations in electric grids of the power supply system of the Republic of Belarus. Representatives of electric utilities working in the border regions of the Russian Federation spoke on the regional component of the issue: "Mogilevenergo", "Gomelenergo" and "Vitebskenergo".

In turn, Acting First Deputy General Director - Chief Engineer of IDGC of Centre Anton Gerasimov, representatives of "Bryanskenergo" and "Smolenskenergo" talked about cooperation with the electricity grid companies operating on the same territory with involvement into emergency and restoration operations. Representatives of IDGC North-West also shared their experience in the organization and provision of first responding and restoration operations.

The meeting also discussed the joint operation of interstate transmission lines of divisions of JSC "FGC UES" and "Belenergo", and draft regulations of cross-border cooperation in the organization of first responding and restoration operations and provision of mutual assistance in massive outages in the distribution networks and on cooperation in the organization of the first responding and restoration operations on interstate 35-750 kV overhead lines.

The participants of the meeting highly appreciated the level of its organization. General Director of IDGC of Centre Oleg Isaev received a letter from First Deputy General Director of JSC "Russian Grids" on Technical Policy Roman Berdnikov, in which he expressed his gratitude to IDGC of Centre for hosting the meeting. "I highly value the quality preparation of the event by IDGC of Centre and the branch of Bryanskenergo, the usefulness of the meeting in terms of building in JSC "Russian Grids" systematic work to improve efficiency and preparedness to deal with emergencies in the grid complex of SACs of JSC "Russian Grids" including working out interactions in the organization of first responding and restoration operations on interstate 35-750 kV overhead lines," stressed Roman Berdnikov.