The fuel and energy complex is systemically important for maintaining the stability of the global economy. Its reliable and efficient functioning determines the economic and energy security of all countries and regions of the planet without exception. Consumer requirements to the quantity, quality and speed of energy resources supply make it necessary to transform both the industry itself and the infrastructure of industrial enterprises, i.e. large consumers of electricity. The goal is not only to increase their profitability, but also to reduce their carbon footprint by potentially reducing electricity production.
The emergence of smart factories and high-tech spaces has the potential to revolutionize the way consumers are supplied with resources and energy. Achieving sustainable and reliable power supply, increasing the capacity of power grids, and automating the control of power consumption are only possible through radically new approaches, materials, and technologies. In fact, the network and transport infrastructure must adapt to customer requirements, which continue to grow steadily due to the annual increase in demand for efficiency and speed.
Analysis of the situation, for example, at mining and processing plants that process minerals shows that about 60-70% of the total energy consumption falls on the operation of ore-preparation equipment: screens, separators, crushing machines, etc. Moreover, the most common drum and ball mills mostly have an extremely low efficiency. And this, of course, contributes to high energy consumption.
One of the strategically important directions of scientific research of scientists of St. Petersburg Mining University is to carry out experiments aimed at continuous control of parameters of technological process of grinding of ore, first of all, speed of rotation of the mill drum and optimization of its loading. The simulation modeling, depending on the characteristics of equipment and the amount and structure of ore coming to the mill, makes it possible to achieve a predictable reduction in energy consumption by at least 5-10% compared with the initial parameters, without losing the quality of raw material processing.
Significant attention in the research is paid to digital integration architectures for creating platforms, which creates the prerequisites for the growth of investment in the re-equipment of the energy sector and modernization of the infrastructure of mining and oil and gas enterprises. Digital twin data integration will enable systems to be more productive, secure, flexible and environmentally friendly. This reinforces the focus on combating climate change throughout the energy and resource supply chain. Therefore, the direction of improving reliability and energy efficiency in the energy supply processes of fossil fuel production processes is an important part of a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development.