Development of an Extensive Network of Power-Generating Maneuvering Capacities Based on the Existing Infrastructure of Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System

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DOI
Journal Journal of Mechanical Engineering – Problemy Mashynobuduvannia
Publisher Anatolii Pidhornyi Institute of Power Machines and Systems
of National Academy of Science of Ukraine
ISSN  2709-2984 (Print), 2709-2992 (Online)
Issue Vol. 29, no. 2, 2026 (June)
Pages 34-43
Cited by J. of Mech. Eng., 2026, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 34-43

 

Authors

Viktor V. Solovei, Anatolii Pidhornyi Institute of Power Machines and Systems of NAS of Ukraine (2/10, Komunalnykiv str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine), e-mail: solovey_v_v@ukr.net, ORCID: 0000-0002-5444-8922

Mykola M. Zipunnikov, Anatolii Pidhornyi Institute of Power Machines and Systems of NAS of Ukraine (2/10, Komunalnykiv str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine), e-mail: zipunnikov_n@ukr.net, ORCID: 0000-0002-0579-2962

Iryna O. Vorobiova, Anatolii Pidhornyi Institute of Power Machines and Systems of NAS of Ukraine (2/10, Komunalnykiv str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine), e-mail: vorobjova_i@ukr.net, ORCID: 0000-0002-1712-8831

Andrii M. Avramenko, Anatolii Pidhornyi Institute of Power Machines and Systems of NAS of Ukraine (2/10, Komunalnykiv str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine), Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University (25, Yaroslava Mudroho str., Kharkiv, 61002, Ukraine), e-mail: an0100@ukr.net, ORCID: 0000-0001-8130-1881

Anastasiia S. Ptushka, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University (25, Yaroslava Mudroho str., Kharkiv, 61002, Ukraine), e-mail: inmov.department@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0003-3177-5370

 

Abstract

The study shows that the high concentration of energy facilities within Ukraine’s territorial-industrial regions on relatively small plots of land has made them highly vulnerable during military operations. Thus, since the start of the large-scale invasion, the energy sector has lost up to 30% of its installed capacity, which has a severely negative impact on the stability of the power system and hinders the ability to meet the needs of industrial and residential electricity consumers. The aim of this study is to analyze the possibility of creating additional power generation capacity based on Ukraine’s gas transmission system energy technology equipment through the reconstruction and modernization of gas turbine units (GTUs) and the creation of an extensive network of small- and medium-capacity power plants based on them. A comprehensive systematic analysis of the structure and operating conditions of the energy-technological equipment fleet of gas pumping stations was carried out with the aim of improving the efficiency of existing power-generating systems and identifying promising directions for their modernization. It has been determined that increasing the inlet pressure by 10–12 kPa boosts the power output of the GT-35-770 power plant by 21–22%, which corresponds to 6.9–7.0 MW of additional electricity. Particular attention was devoted to the integration of gas turbine and steam turbine technologies into a unified combined-cycle system. A process flow diagram that utilizes excess natural gas pressure in the turboexpander to generate energy, which can be used to increase the initial air pressure at the gas turbine inlet using high-pressure fans, has been developed. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to extensively modernize gas turbine units by implementing combined cycle technologies and modifying the design of gas combustion systems. The research confirmed the feasibility of deep modernization of existing gas turbine units through the implementation of combined-cycle technologies, the integration of waste heat recovery systems, and the improvement of gas combustion chamber designs. In particular, the utilization of the thermal potential of GTU exhaust gases in the steam turbine section of the combined cycle makes it possible to limit the compressor pressure ratio to πk≤15. This contributes to a simplification of compressor design, a reduction in mechanical loads on system components, and a decrease in the amount of additionally compressed gas circulating within the GTU cycle. According to the obtained technical and economic assessments, the implementation of the proposed modernization solutions may increase the installed capacity of the Ukrainian power system by approximately 4.0-5.0 GW. This can be achieved under conditions of relatively moderate capital investments estimated at $250-270/kW of installed capacity. In addition, the projected payback period does not exceed 2-2.5 years, which confirms the high economic attractiveness and practical feasibility of introducing advanced combined-cycle and turboexpander technologies into the national energy sector.

 

Keywords: electricity, gas transmission system, energy capacity, fan, air, pressure.

 

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Received 12 May 2026
Accepted 21 May 2026
Published 30 June 2026