Conventional Power Generation in Russia

Much of the conventional fuel produced in Russia is burned to produce electric power. The Unified Electric Power System operates Russia's electric power plants through seventy-two regional power distribution companies. The power system consists of 600 thermal generating systems, more than 100 hydroelectric plants, and Russia's nine nuclear plants. Of the total rated generating capacity of 205 gigawatts, only about 188 gigawatts were available as of 1996. In 1995 Russia's power plants generated a total of 846 million kilowatt-hours, compared with 859 million kilowatt-hours in 1994. Generation for the first quarter of 1996 (normally the peak demand period of the year) was 268 million kilowatt-hours.

In 1993 natural gas provided 42 percent of electricity production; hydroelectric plants, 19 percent; coal, 18 percent; nuclear power, 13 percent; and other sources such as solar and geothermal plants, 8 percent. Natural gas and coal are burned at thermoelectric plants, which produce only electricity, and at cogeneration plants, which produce electricity and heat for urban centers. The largest hydroelectric plants are located on the Volga, Kama, Ob', Yenisey, and Angara rivers, where large reservoirs were built in massive Soviet energy projects. Thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants--located in Siberia because of available fuels and water power--send power to European Russia through a system of high-voltage transmission lines.

Consumption of electric power divides into the following categories: industrial, 61 percent; residential, 11 percent; the services sector, 11 percent; transportation, 9 percent; and agriculture, 8 percent. Regional energy commissions control the price of electricity.

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Amount of Heat Depends on Current and Resistance

The amount of the heating of a wire is determined by the current flowing in the circuit as well as by the resistance, which the current overcomes. The current through a given resistor being doubled, the amount of heat produced per minute or per second becomes four times as great. The outstanding Russian scientist, Lenz, and the prominent English physicist. Joule, independently established that the heating effect of a current is directly proportional to the square of the current. For example, if we have a current of 2A (amperes) flowing through a certain resistor and then increase the current to 6A. we shall have three times the current. The square of 3 equaling 9. we shall get nine times as much heat.

On the other hand, doubling the resistance of the resistor and keeping the same current flowing through it, we shall get only double the amount of heat. That is to say. the heating effect of a current is directly proportional to the resistance through which it flows. Thus, increasing the resistance of a resistor from 2 to 6 ohms, we have three times the resistance and we get three times as much heat, provided the same current is flowing.

Now one may ask: "What is the effect of the voltage upon the amount of heat?" The voltage across a resistor being increased, the current which flows through the resistor is increased as well. This increase in current results in the usual heightened heating effect, which is proportional to the square of the current. So, it is clear that if we make use of the current and the resistance, we need not take into account the voltage, however, we use it to find the current by Ohm's Law.

Various materials are used for heater elements and resistors. Various materials, mostly alloys of the metals copper or nickel, have been made for use in resistor coils, rheostats, and heater elements. Each of these materials has certain important physical properties, which make it suitable or unsuitable for certain uses. Obviously, a lead wire melting at a temperature of about 327° C is not suitable for a heater coil which operates at a temperature of 900° C or higher. Copper melts at 1.083° C. such a temperature being too low for safe heater-coil operation. Another property of copper makes it still less suitable, namely, its low resistance.

The melting point of pure iron reaches about 1,535° C; most steels melting at about 1,300 to 1,500° C. These temperatures are sufficient for heater elements.