Russian Investment Forum (RIF-2018) was held in Sochi on February 15-16, 2018. In the course thereof a number of power engineering events were held on the discussion and exhibition platform “Rosseti Territory” that were attended by the senior staff and experts of Rosseti, PJSC and subsidiaries and affiliates thereof, as well as by the recognized national power engineering experts, leading business figures, representatives of the regional and Russian public authorities.

IDGC of Volga, PJSC was represented by Vladimir Ryabikin, the General Director. He and his colleagues, who are the executives of the leading grid companies forming a part of Rosseti Group, have participated in the plenary discussions devoted to the development of the digital electric grid complex in Russia. The digitalization issue was a common thread that was running nearly through all the projects presented at the Russian Investment Forum – 2018.

Following the results of the business trip, Vladimir Ryabikin had a meeting with representatives of IDGC of Volga staff members and outlined further plans of the company development in the light of the strategy that was presented at RIF by Pavel Livinsky, Rosseti Group General Director. The “digital” project is expected to be implemented by 2030. Its cost is 1.3 trillion rubles in current prices. It is expected to be stand-alone during 14 years and will not require the additional increase of the grid component in a tariff, as the digital network enables to raise effectiveness and to get a number of positive internal effects.

Focus on digitalization followed by Rosseti management is already maintained in IDGC of Volga. The company is implementing measures to introduce “smart power engineering” that are in line with the modern trends of the electric power industry. This is primarily referred to implementation of the “Smart Grid” system as the initial stage on creation of the digital power grid in IDGC of Volga as it pertains to making a digital PDZ. The next step is designing and constructing digital substations based both on the existing power facilities and on the brand new ones.

 In the opinion of Vladimir Ryabikin, the IDGC of Volga General Director, when developing the digital power engineering the focus will be placed on training of staff for the new grids. This concerns close interaction with the specialized higher educational institutions the graduates whereof will in some years continue implementation of the digital innovative projects, as well as taking advanced training courses by the current specialists. “Digit” being introduced to the power engineering will be efficient provided all issues are solved in their entirety and all company business units are concerned.