Operation of thermal power plants, in particular steam turbines in the USSR.

The state of, and development plans for, power plant engineering (thermal energy) in the USSR are described, in particular, basic operating data for units in conventional thermal power stations and district heating power stations. The continuous reduction in specific consumption of fuel (1975, 340; 1980, 328; 1985, 319 g SKE/kWh) is a consequence of the increasing number of large power generating units, a deep vacuum and the improvement of equipment and operating techniques. The combined production of heat and electrical power has proved extremely favorable; 39% of the output of all thermal power plants is attributable to heat-producing turbines; 22. 4% of the total energy is used in a power-heat combination.