Kaliningrad, November 14, 2007. Kaliningradskaya TETs-2 received Operability Certificate for 2007/2008 autumn and winter period.

The document was signed by B.F. Vainzikher, Member of the Management Board and Technical Director of RAO UES of Russia. Operability Certificate certifies that the power plant, its staff and equipment are ready to handle various contingencies arising in conditions of low temperature and to bear huge responsibility for power supply in Kaliningrad region.

Sergey Timoshevsky, Chief Engineer of the power plant, said: “Operability Certificate may seem to be a simple document. However, much work has been done by the plant’s staff to make the plant ready for autumn and winter of 2007/2008. Preparations for this season actually start in spring, when our specialists are analyzing the plant’s performance last winter. Every day the plant’s employees keep an eye on its operation, and repairs of equipment are implemented according to the special schedule”.

A special committee is responsible for checking whether the plant is ready for the autumn/winter peak demand. This committee comprises representatives of RAO UES of Russia and relevant state ministries and departments.  

Emergency response drills are an essential part of regular preparations for the autumn/winter period. They are held several times a year according to the schedule. Emergency response drills may involve separate departments or the whole power plant.

One of such emergency response drills was held at Kaliningradskaya TETs-2 on November 12, 2007. This time it was controlled by a special supervisory committee.

Emergency response drill began with a simulation of a situation that may occur in conditions of extremely low temperature. This situation usually results in defrosting of a pipeline with chemically treated water and may lead to problems in implementing technology protection measures to handle gas pollution in gas booster compressor. Liquidation of such an emergency situation requires implementation of certain measures. After receiving equipment failure warning, the plant’s staff should execute the instructions and take all the necessary actions. Protection measures are accompanied by gas exploration in gas-polluted area. Then equipment is examined. Afterwards, gas leakage point should be found. The next step is indoor air ventilation, which is followed by air analysis. Then the equipment undergoes breakdown maintenance. Finally, restoration measures are taken.          

Actions taken by the plant’s staff during the emergency response drill were evaluated directly by controlling persons.  The whole process of the emergency response drill was evaluated by members of the supervisory committee.

Emergency response drill showed high level of proficiency of the plant’s specialists. The staff acted promptly and skillfully. The simulated emergency situation was successfully liquidated. The supervisory committee evaluated the actions of the plant’s staff as “good”.