1. Transition to 35-110(220) kV digital substations.

The goal is to create grid facilities with intelligent control and management system by installing state-of-the-art equipment and systems as well as to use IECInternational Electrotechnical Commission, international standards and conformity assessment body 61850 data transfer protocols. Effect from the deployment of the “Digital Substation” technology: increased level of automation and controllability, reduced exploitation costs due to extended repair intervals, usage of low-maintenance equipment, reduced time for restoration of normal network operation, reduced possibility of incidents and damages of equipment, usage of network fault location and remote switch control system.

The “Digital Substation” technology is planned to be deployed on the following pilot substations:

1) 110 kV Esaulka substation (Chelyabenergo branch).

The implementation of the project shall enable to ensure:

• a possibility to connect new consumers and increase net supply;
• an increase of supply reliability and voltage quality;
• upgrade of obsolete equipment;
• achievement of optimal load;
• an increase in observability and controllability of the facility, testing of IECInternational Electrotechnical Commission, international standards and conformity assessment body 61850-compliant solutions using microprocessor-controlled RPArelay protection automation devices and telematics, supporting “digital substation” technology.

2023 achievements: DSW in progress. 2023 expenses: RUBruble 21.03 million (target value) and RUBruble 18.33 million (real value). Deviation from the target value is due to reduced cost of the project as a result of completed tenders.

2) 110/35/6 kV Pyshma substation (Sverdlovenergo branch).

Innovative technologies implemented: i) digital relay protection and automation devices, supporting digital data exchange; ii) PMU devices integrated into DSP; iii) systems for control (analysis) of IECInternational Electrotechnical Commission, international standards and conformity assessment body 61850 digital communications protection, etc., using machine learning and neural networks to discover abnormalities, to ensure functional security of remote control of primary grid equipment; iv) automated systems for control of 10-220 kV equipment status after synchronous registration and monitoring of normal and emergency modes parameters; v) smart meters with possible integration into the unified management system, providing remote control and information on network parameters; vi) fieldbus firewalls with functions of control and infiltration of OPC.

2023 achievements: DSW ended, procurements ended, installation and commissioning ended. 2023 expenses: RUBruble 332.73 million (target value), RUBruble 330.51 million (real value).

3. Transition to end-to-end performance of business processes and automation of control systems.

2023 achievements:

1) Build-up of the Production Assets Management System (PAMSProduction Assets Management System).

Goals of the project: i) build-up of the system for regular centralized management of core production assets in line with the Company’s strategic goals; ii) enhancement of the quality of planning for repair, maintenance, upgrade and reconstruction programs; iii) provision of Company’s management with a tool to generate objective data on production assets’ health and exploitation costs; iv) creation of a mechanism for provision of maximum possible reliability level within set funding.

Innovative technologies implemented: i) implementation of ERP systems; ii) creation of a network model, compliant with a single date standard; iii) information collection and display systems (SCADAsupervisory control and data acquisition); iv) geoinformation systems (GISgeoinformation system) linked to geolocation and geopositioning systems; iv) electronic catalogues and databases of standard technical solutions.

Effects from implementation: i) build-up of the system for planning and recording of production programs execution (repair program, maintenance program, upgrade and reconstruction program and other programs included into the exploitation decree), compliant with uniform requirements set by external regulatory documents and Company’s bylaws; ii) integration of the system covering financial and management accounting, control of logistics, transport and human resources; iii) integration of the system with external systems to arrange data exchange, required for planning of production programs, integration with Rosseti’s GISgeoinformation system systems, business analysis systems of the Company; iv) establishment of the KPIkey performance indicators system related to production asset management on all levels that help evaluate and compare production departments, branches in terms of processes, technical and economic properties for further solutions.

2023 expenses totaled RUBruble 18.22 million (target values) and RUBruble 1.92 million (real values). The odds between actual and target values are due to the execution of prevailing part of activities in 2023 and reduction of development plans by SAP.

2) Creation and deployment of the GISgeoinformation system Ural geoinformation system

Goals of the project: i) enhancement of management efficiency by creating an integrated geo-oriented cross-functional area for interaction among structural units with the straight reporting line to the Chief Operating Officer; ii) creation of a unified center for visualization of information on grid infrastructure (100% of grid facilities).

2023 expenses totaled RUBruble 20.00 million (target values) and RUBruble 14.46 million (real values), the odds are due to the revision of specifications related to project development.

3) Development of the integrated decision support system (unified platform for ISinformation system integration).

Effects from implementation:

• Reduction of labor costs on maintenance of homogeneous data in various information systems, enhancement of data quality by centralization of maintenance.
• Enhancement of efficiency of cross-system coupling among information systems used by the Company and PAOPublic Joint-Stock Company Rosseti by centralization of data exchange processes, provision of guaranteed delivery of information among the systems, enhancement of information security in data exchange, roll-out of centralized monitoring of data exchange among the systems.
• Reduction of expenses on the deployment of new systems or replacement of existing systems into the intersystem interaction due to loose coupling of the information systems and possible reuse of integration services.
• Reduction of expenses on the maintenance and monitoring of data exchange between the Company and PAOPublic Joint-Stock Company Rosseti by rolling out unified communication channels.

2023 expenses totaled RUBruble 17.84 million (target values) and RUBruble 19.69 million (real values).

4) Deployment of automated electronic document flow system (SEDO)

2023 achievements: pilot and field testing completed, expenses totaled RUBruble 4.68 million (target values) and RUBruble 4.68 million (real values).

5) Services related to development of specifications for OZhUR software

The basic functionality of the software is: i) integration of a CIM-model with related software through PS-20 integration platform (data transfer to/from OZhUR software), incl. CRC information systems; ii) CIM/XML data export/import.

2023 achievements: development of design solution completed, expenses totaled RUBruble 0 million (target value) and RUBruble 25.53 million (real values).

5. Evolvement of the system on development and implementation of innovative products and technologies, R&Dresearch and development activities.

There were 4 R&Dresearch and development works in progress in 2023:

1) Research Project “Development of a technology and creation of a unit for renovation of filthy line insulation of an aerial power line with further automated diagnostics of isolation breakdown characteristics”.

Due to contractor’s failure to discharge contractual liabilities, a negotiated settlement agreement was reached, with the contract on R&Dresearch and development works terminated.

2023 achievements:

• Execution: RUBruble 20.62 million (target value) and RUBruble 3.132 million, net of VATvalue-added tax (real value);
• Funding: RUBruble 20.62 million (target value) and RUBruble 0 million, incl. VATvalue-added tax (real value).

2) Research project “Expansion of a CIM profile in terms of connection and perspective development of the networks”.

2023 achievements:

• Execution: RUBruble 3.0 million (target value) and RUBruble 3.0 million, net of VATvalue-added tax (real value);
• Funding: RUBruble 14.4 million (target value) and RUBruble 14.4 million, incl. VATvalue-added tax (real value).

As prospects for the application of research results, the possibilities of arranging unified information exchange between software used in the implementation of connection and prospective development of electric networks, as well as the possibility of using it when working on domestic integration solutions regarding arrangement of information exchange between information systems in terms of connection and prospective development of electric networks, have been identified and confirmed. These factors make it possible to comprehensively influence the achievement of the goal of transparent enterprise data management, which implies an efficient and secure arrangement of data collection, storage and usage processes.

3) Research Project “Development of a model for adaptive regulation of voltage in distribution networks to enhance net supply and reduce losses, taking into account static load characteristics” (performed by FGAOU VO UrFU named after B.N. Eltsyn).

2023 achievements:

• Execution: RUBruble 9.0 million (target value) and RUBruble 9.0 million, no VATvalue-added tax (real value);
• Funding: RUBruble 4.0 million (target value) and RUBruble 4.0 million, no VATvalue-added tax (real value).

Stage 1, 2 achievements:

1. Modern means, methods and approaches to mode control determined; collection of data to be used for development of smart mode control system completed; status of grid complex (Sverdlovenergo branch) analyzed; approach to optimization of mode of operation for networks factoring in prospective means of voltage regulation developed; possibility of integral voltage regulation analyzed; selection of pilot sections (HV/MV/LV breakdown) to identify SLC validated.
2. Typical SLC of standalone consumers and distinctive groups of energy facilities presented; models of pilot sections of 6(10)-110 kV voltage prepared; instrumental survey program prepared; SLC measurement results of 6(10) kV and 110(35) kV voltage class obtained; static load characteristics, based on results of typing of consumer groups and conduct of field experiments on voltage regulation determined.

4) Research Project “Creation of a one-way system for locating a point of impact through analysis of time-symmetric functions using domestic components to be mounted on a 6-10 kV cable/aerial power line. Examination of impact of cable/aerial power line parameters when shaping its digital model on fault location” (performed by ANO VO Innopolis University).

2023 achievements:

• Execution: RUBruble 6.73 million (target values) and RUBruble 6.73 million, no VATvalue-added tax (real values);
• Funding: RUBruble 0 million (target values) and RUBruble 0 million, no VATvalue-added tax (real values).

Stage 1 achievements:

1. Analysis of information resources showed lack of solutions, compliant with the specifications. Conducted patent researches showed patent purity of the solution in progress.
2. Works on selection of power lines to be equipped with fault location hardware and software package performed.
3. Selected power lines examined, technical documentation, single-line power supply schemes, schematic diagrams and equipment layout plans collected and analyzed.
4. During the research domestic components and software were scrutinized and selected. Design solutions developed, trial model of hardware and software package assembled, tested and prepared. System for data collection and transfer, compliant with the specifications, developed, software developed and adapted. The trial model evaluated for compliance with information security requirements. Company-owned power line and substation to be equipped with fault location hardware and software package with possible further field tests selected.

Target and actual expenses in 2023, RUBruble million, no VATvalue-added tax

Innovations and R&Dresearch and development expences, RUBruble million