Since Soviet times, Russia has shown good results in the generation of electricity in thermal power plants. Russian power plants are scattered in most major cities of the country. Consider the most powerful energy generation and their distinctive features. Note that most of the structures were erected as far back as the 60-80s of the last century, but new structures have been commissioned since then.
Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station
This power plant ranks 7th among existing facilities in the world in terms of installed capacity. The Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, located on the Yenisei, is the highest dam in Russia and one of the highest in the world. Its maximum throughput is 13090 m 3 / s. There are 21 sections in the station part of this power plant in Russia, the turbine room includes 10 hydraulic units, and in the station part there are 10 permanent water inlets from which turbine water conduits are laid. The dam of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station helps to raise the water level in the Yenisei, due to which a reservoir is formed. The design capacity of the station is 6400 MW.
Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station
The first power plants in Russia were built in the 50-60s of the last century. So, the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric station began to be built in 1955, also on the Yenisei. This station is called the heart of the Siberian energy system, as it is one of the leading electricity suppliers in this region. Today, the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station is one of the ten largest stations in the world with more than 550 employees. It was finally put into operation back in 1972 and has since been constantly improved. This hydroelectric station consists of several facilities:
- gravity concrete dam;
- near the dam building;
- energy reception and distribution facilities;
- boat elevator with underwater channel.
The construction of Russia's second largest power plant required almost 6 million m 3 of concrete. The station has a maximum throughput of 14,000 m 3 / s, and the capacity of the hydroelectric station is 6,000 MW. The dam forms the Krasnoyarsk reservoir with an area of 2000 km 2 . The peculiarity of this power plant is in the only ship-lift in Russia, which is needed for passing ships. In 1995, hydropower units were worn out by 50%, so it was decided to reconstruct and upgrade them.
Surgut state district power station
The largest power plants in Russia are also represented by the Surgut State District Power Plant, located in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area. The station has an installed electric capacity of 5597 MW, operating on associated petroleum and natural gas. Its construction began in the 80s, when there was a shortage of energy consumption in the territory of the middle Ob region. According to the initial project, a total of 8 power units were to be commissioned, and the capacity was to make Surgut State District Power Plant one of the most powerful thermal stations.
Bratsk hydroelectric station
The largest power plants in Russia are located on the Angara River. The Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station is part of the Angarsk Hydroelectric Power Station Cascade, being the leader in the production of electricity in all of Eurasia. The decision to build the station was made in 1954, and commissioning took place in 1967. The unique volumes and stable water resources of Lake Baikal and the Bratsk reservoir were reflected in the fact that this hydroelectric power station began to play an important role for the country's economic development.
Today, the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station consists of 18 units, and the energy produced here is widely used in various industries. The station consists of several workshops, which are constantly monitored by staff of 300 people. Since there is no end-to-end navigation in the Angara, the hydroelectric facility does not have ship-passing facilities. The installed capacity of the Bratsk hydroelectric power station is 4,500 MW.
Balakovo NPP
In the list of Russian power plants that produce the largest volumes of electricity, we also included the Balakovo NPP, which is the leader in the country's nuclear power industry. Thanks to the continuous improvement of the equipment, high results were achieved. The effectiveness of ways to increase energy production was improved by improving the design of nuclear fuel. At this station, reactors with double-circuit power units are used.
Kursk NPP
Energy is the basis of the economy in the Kursk region. The Russian power plants located here are among the first five stations that generate large capacities. It is the electricity of this station that provides most of the production in the region. Kursk NPP is a single-circuit type station, when coolant is treated with ordinary purified water circulating in a closed circuit.
Leningrad NPP
The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is the first in the country to have RBMK-1000 reactors. The Leningrad NPP consists of four power units, with the main produced energy leaving for total consumption. This station is the largest energy producer in the northwestern region of Russia.
Geothermal springs for the good of the country
There are various types of power plants in Russia. So, geothermal energy is considered the most promising in modern history, including in our country. Experts agree that the amount of energy of the Earth’s heat is much greater than the amount of energy of all world oil and gas reserves. It is advisable to erect geothermal stations where there are volcanic areas. Due to the junction of volcanic lava with water resources, water is heated intensively, hot water is knocked to the surface in the form of geysers.
Such natural properties make it possible to build modern geothermal power plants in Russia. There are many of them in our country:
- Pauzhetskaya GeoES. This station was built in 1966 near the Kambalny volcano because of the need to provide residential villages and production nearby with electricity. The installed capacity at the time of launch was only 5 MW, then the capacities were increased to 12 MW.
- The Verkhne-Mutnovskaya Experimental Industrial GeoPP is located in Kamchatka and was launched in 1999. It consists of three 4 MW power units. Construction was carried out near the volcano Mutnovsky.
- Ocean GeoPP. This station was built on the Kuril ridge in 2006.
- Mendeleev GeoPP. This station was built in order to provide heat and electricity to the city of Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
As you can see, geothermal power plants in Russia are still operating. Moreover, active work is underway to modernize existing structures, which will provide areas and enterprises located near volcanic rocks with the required amount of energy.
Following the progress
Note that the development of energy does not stand still. So, it became known that in Russia, in particular, on the territory of the Samara region, a solar power station will be built. Experts say that this project will become a significant phenomenon not only for the Samara region, but for the whole country as a whole. It is planned to build solar stations on the territory of Stavropol and Volgograd. As for the existing facilities, with due attention and timely modernization, they will be able to provide the right amount of energy even to remote areas of Russia.