The concept of “Energy system dependability”

Aim. To substantiate the semantic content of the concept of energy system dependability. To assess the applicability of such terms as short-term, long-term, overall and cross-mode dependability, as well as adequacy as part of collections of recommended terms and reference books. To scientifically substantiate the revised content of Energy system dependability. Collection of recommended terms published in 2007. Methods. The paper employs logical procedures that consist in giving an unchanging meaning to such a concept as energy system dependability. Results. Major accidents that have occurred in energy systems of various countries over the past 30 to 40 years indicate that the problem of safety deserves closer attention. However, the term “safety” is not featured in Energy system dependability. Collection of recommended terms published in 2007. The terminology states that “the exclusion of safety from the properties of energy facility dependability was primarily motivated by the fact that it had been in no demand for 27 years”. There is no theoretical substantiation for excluding the term “safety” from the terminology handbook. How can we talk about no demand for the property of safety given the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster on April 26, 1986 and the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP accident of August 17, 2009 that claimed the lives of 75 people? The 2007 terminology notes that its development was motivated by “... changing conditions surrounding the operation and development of energy systems (liberalisation of the economy, the emergence of energy markets)...” Dependability is a property (a characteristic that constitutes a distinctive feature) of energy systems, therefore the liberalisation of the economy cannot affect the content of the concept of “dependability”. It may only affect the required level of dependability, the decision-making criteria and dependability models. To simplify understanding, experts (involved in the study of energy system dependability) have come up with a number of terms that are a set of simplified (abbreviated or figurative) words, e.g., cross-mode dependability, short-term dependability, long-term dependability, overall dependability, etc., that represent an abstract idea of energy system dependability that is reflected – with certain assumptions – in the respective models of dependability research. There is no need to integrate such terms in collections of recommended terms or reference books (since the list of specified functions of energy systems does not change, therefore the property remains unchanged). Conclusions. Energy system dependability is a complex multidimensional property both in terms of public regulation of the economy, and under market conditions. The content of the concept of energy system dependability does not depend on the form of ownership, does not depend on an entity’s change of ownership, does not depend on advance decisions associated with ensuring dependability. 

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