From Cogeneration to Electric Heat Supply: History and Prospects

The subject of this study is heat supply as a component of the Russian economy. The study focuses on cogeneration, i. e., the centralized supply of heat generated along with electricity. Throughout the 20th century, cogeneration had been the backbone of the Russian (Soviet) heat-power industry, and so it remains today. Cogeneration is studied in a historical context. Aim. This study aims to conceptualize the evolution of cogeneration in connection with the prospects for the development of the Russian heat-power industry. Tasks. This study aims to: (1) determine the correlation between the technological and economic parameters of cogeneration, (2) identify the impetus and conditions for the introduction and establishment of cogeneration, (3) highlight the features of cogenerative energy engineering, (4) evaluate the economic efficiency of cogeneration compared with other heat supply methods, (5) assess the current state of cogeneration, and (6) outline the future prospects of the Russian heat-power industry. Methods. This study uses a historical-genetic approach. The continuous correlation between the economic, technical, and technological aspects of cogeneration is methodologically notable. This study also uses statistical data that are recalculated for each particular point and presented in tables for better interpretation. Results. This study reveals the following: (1) the economic benefits of cogeneration with regard to cogenerative heat production technology, (2) the correlation between the introduction of cogeneration and the industrial implementation of steam engines, (3) the connection between the country’s industrialization and the development of cogeneration, (4) cogeneration models typical of various historical periods of economic development, (5) the competition of cogeneration against other heat-supply systems, (6) the current poor state of cogeneration using statistical data and determination of the causes for such a state, and (7) the long-term benefits of electric heat supply development. Conclusion. During the 20th century, cogeneration had been an important economic and technological accomplishment for the Russian economy. It rightfully served as one of the energy pillars of the national economy. However, today it requires modernization. New technological opportunities and economic conditions have paved the way for other heat supply methods with electric heat supply being the most promising.

energy industry, heat-power industry, heat supply, cogeneration, electric heat supply, энергетика, теплоэнергетика, теплоснабжение, теплофикация, электротеплоснабжение

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