On Wednesday, May 20, on World Metrology Day, Sergey Gustov, Director General of OOO Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, presented Vladimir Litvinenko, Rector of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, with a symbolic key to a new training metrology laboratory dedicated to preparing specialists for the gas industry.
The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art digital equipment of domestic manufacture, including metrological benches for the calibration, verification, and repair of temperature and pressure measurement systems, as well as various types of domestic and industrial gas flow meters. Students of the Mining University will master the instruments that form the backbone of intelligent gas accounting systems. It is precisely these systems that will actively saturate Russia's gas distribution infrastructure in the coming years.
The draft law on the use of intelligent gas metering systems, prepared by the Russian Gas Society with the participation of Gazprom PJSC and Gazprom Mezhregiongaz LLC, creates the legal framework for the widespread introduction of smart meters across the country. Over a period of 10 years, it is planned to install 25 million innovative devices in residential buildings, at enterprises and organizations, as well as at metering units and gas distribution stations. All equipment is integrated into the Unified Control Panel for Telemetry Systems software module, developed by Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Engineering, a company within the Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Group, on its proprietary IUSCIFRA platform.
«The deployment of intelligent systems in gas distribution does not simply create a convenient mechanism for accounting and billing consumed energy resources; it finally allows us to systematically address energy conservation. The potential savings here, when calculated across all resource types, are comparable to the national budget.
The draft law establishes a regulatory beachhead for large-scale operations, and this work must be supported by highly qualified engineering personnel. The automation of gas supply falls under the responsibility of the National Center for Personnel and Scientific Support of the Mineral Resources Complex “Corps of Mining Engineers,” established by presidential decree at the Mining University. I consider it highly significant that one of the first practical steps in implementing this decree was a joint project with such a pillar of the domestic economy as the Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Group. We will work together on modernizing energy infrastructure to meet these new challenges.
Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University trains a new generation of engineers with special emphasis on reinforcing theory through practice. A deep fundamental knowledge base must be accompanied by equipment operation skills developed to the level of automatic proficiency», – Vladimir Litvinenko said at the laboratory opening ceremony.
Sergey Gustov noted that Gazprom Mezhregiongaz is a long-standing partner of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, and it is of paramount importance to the company that future engineers are trained using the most advanced technology.
«The new laboratory features virtually all contemporary gas supply measurement systems that fall under the umbrella of the intelligent systems addressed in the aforementioned draft legislation. They make it possible to establish a fair and convenient billing system based on actual gas consumption. The software package developed by our company collects data without human involvement. The service is anchored by transparent consumption metering and a reliable methane and carbon monoxide safety system. The ‘smart’ device will automatically shut off the gas supply the moment a hazard is detected. The system is convenient, safe, economical, and dependable.
We will continue our collaboration with the Mining University, which serves as the principal developer responsible for the draft law on intelligent gas metering systems. We plan to expand the instrumentation base in the future and, of course, we look forward to welcoming the university's graduates—engineers carrying a true stamp of quality—into the divisions of our company», – stated Sergey Gustov.
The laboratory opening ceremony concluded with a meeting between Sergey Gustov, Vladimir Litvinenko, and third-year students from the Mining University’s Faculty of Oil and Gas. This summer, these students will complete a three-week industrial training program utilizing the equipment in the new laboratory, where they will solve practical problems in gas metering, study the principles of automated data acquisition, and master instrument calibration.
Sergey Gustov spoke to the students about the history of the gas distribution system in Russia, as well as the progress and future prospects of the national gasification program in which they are destined to participate, and answered their questions.
During the meeting, plans were confirmed for Gazprom Mezhregiongaz to supply intelligent gas metering equipment to the training center being established at the university’s "Sablino" educational and scientific training facility. There, students will be trained and certified in the vocational qualification of gas equipment maintenance technician.