Advanced Information Technology for Development of Electric Power Market

Features of the electric power market functioning, in comparison with common proper- ties of modern markets, are considered. It is shown that continuous reforms, which take place in many countries, are far from reaching effective solution. Sectoral peculiarities, connected with both technological complexity of the field and economic specificity of the market participants, form very special model of the market. The main way to increase effectivity of the market, to make it more competitive and, in the same time, socially responsible, is to use widely and deeply the modern information technologies, including technologies of artificial intelligence. A scheme of using the modern technologies has been proposed in the article. The first set of technologies merges methods of collection, storage, processing and presentation of information. The collection of market data can be realized. Particularly, by so-called “intellectual avatars”, which operate in the market as virtual agents. A reliable distributed storage of data, based on blockchain technology, is chosen. The big data technologies of data structuring, storage and processing are involved. Datamining methods include effective presentation of results in forms of graphs and diagrams. The second set of technologies includes core mathematical mod- els and “digital twins”. They are aimed for data interpolation and extrapolation; in particular, for prediction of further system dynamics. The used neural networks have option of self-learning and self-development. At last, the third set is a set of user interfaces, which provides market actors by complete and adopted information and is organized in accordance with ideas of ergonomics.

Design of the Trans-provincial New Energy Spot Transaction Mode and Analysis of the Mode’s Effects on New Energy Consumption

Trans-provincial new energy transactions consist of medium- and long-term transactions and spot transactions. Trans-provincial spot transactions have been mainly executed in areas where there is some difficulty with new energy consumption. To further improve the system’s capability to accommodate new energy, this paper designs a replacement transaction mechanism for electricity delivered through the same channel according to the status quo of trans-provincial new energy spot transactions and the reality of China’s electric power market. A production simulation-based decision analysis model for trans-provincial new energy consumption is established so as to analyse quantitatively the effects of the proposed transaction mode on new energy consumption. A typical case is selected out from a certain province as the delivery end, and the testing results show that the trans-provincial spot transaction mode and the quantitative analysis model proposed in the paper can improve the new energy consumption and utilization rate of the delivery end significantly.

Diagnostic Analysis of Factors for the Financial Stability of a Power Supply Company

The paper discloses the approach and results of the study of the electric power market (electricity market) related to the II non-price zone on the basis of the formulation of indicators that make it possible to highlight its specificity. The results of a study devoted to the solvency of electricity consumers - individuals are revealed by comparing the level of average income in the regions of the Russian Federation and the conditional maximum amount of electricity that can be paid for from these incomes. It has been established that despite the opportunities for timely payment, there remains a low payment discipline for a number of consumers, which is reflected in the growth of receivables and, as a result, leads to cash gaps. During the review of the dynamics of debt, the scope of cash gaps was determined, which in 2018 amounted to more than 169 billion rubles. Power supply companies attract loans for timely settlements, what entails additional costs and worsens financial results. The impact of the identified factors on the main indicators of power supply companies being last resort providers of electricity in Russia, including the power supply company under study, was assessed. The results obtained will be further used to develop methods for the diagnostic analysis of critical risk zones, which determine the financial stability of the power supply company being a single purchaser and last resort provider of the 2nd non-price zone.

Russian-Chinese Cooperation Prospects in the Electric Power Industry

Russia and China have long been trading partners and cooperated in most industries, including the electric power sector. Even with close and long-standing ties, the further scope of Russian-Chinese relations in the electric power sector should be defined taking into account China's currently implemented Belt and Road Initiative requiring enormous resources, particularly in commodities. An analysis of Russia's electric power market shows an imbalance between the levels of demand and supply skewing to the supply side. Russian excess supply of electricity could be feasibly channelled to China under long-term contracts. For now, such supplies have not been operated at the levels planned several years ago, which indicates low utilisation of the existing potential of cooperation between the countries in the sector. Besides, considerable potential exists for partnership between Russia and China in upgrading electric power facilities and supplying electricity equipment and its subsequent maintenance.