Ukraine nuclear utility Energoatom, together with Ukrenergo, on 8-9 May conducted tests at unit 1 of the Zaporozhye NPP to confirm compliance with the requirements of the Transmission System Code in order to obtain a certificate that will entitle Energoatom to bring the power unit to the Ancillary Services Market (RDP). This is an important stage in the preparation of the United Energy System (UES) of Ukraine for integration with the United European Continental Energy System, Energoatom said.
On 16-17 April similar tests were carried out Zaporozhye 2 of while Ukrenergo previously conducted research on generator excitation systems and frequency and power regulation of domestic NPP power units. The test results are being used by specialists to create a mathematical model of the UES of Ukraine.
To ensure sustainable and reliable operation of the United Energy System of Ukraine, the transmission system operator (TSO) uses ancillary services that it buys on the market on a competitive basis.
Ancillary services may be purchased or used for days, weeks, months, quarters and years. To provide ancillary services, a market participant must register with the Transmission System Operator as their supplier. To do this, he must perform equipment tests to confirm compliance with the requirements of the Transmission System Code for the provision of ancillary services.
Energoatom on 11 May with representatives of the USAID International Technical Assistance Project mission in Ukraine and the Washington office held a video conference with the inclusion of Zaporozhye at the test site. They checked the possibility of operating Zaporozhye NPP power units in normalised primary frequency control mode during parallel operation with the integrated power system of Ukraine.
"The joint efforts of Energoatom and Ukrenergo with the support of USAID made it possible to confirm the technical readiness of Ukrainian NPP units to operate not only in the conditions of the unified power system of Ukraine, but also in compliance with the requirements of the European continental network ENTSO-E ," said. First Vice President - Technical Director of Energoatom, Yuriy Sheiko.
Tests for future integration with Europe began in 2019 with the support of USAID and the United States Energy Association (USEA), and international consultants experienced in synchronising the energy systems of other countries with ENTSO-E. Energoatom said it highly values ??cooperation with the USA.
ENTSO-E represents 42 electricity transmission system operators from 35 countries across Europe, extending beyond European Union borders. Energoatom operates four nuclear power plants in Ukraine - Khmelnitsky, Rovno, South Ukraine and Zaporozhye - with a combined installed capacity of 13,168 MWe. The Zaporozhe plant consists of six VVER V-320 units.
Photo: Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (credit: Energoatom)
