Critical infrastructure has become one of the main targets of the enemy during the war. Ensuring uninterrupted power, heating, and communications is one of the most crucial issues for the country’s security. Energy workers in all regions of the country are impressive in the speed of restoring networks damaged by the enemy. Researchers are also helping to predict the risks to the restoration and sustainable operation of critical infrastructure. With grant funding from the NRFU, researchers from Lviv Polytechnic National University and Lviv State University of Life Safety implemented the project “Assessing and forecasting threats to the reconstruction and sustainable operation of objects of critical infrastructure”.
What do the researchers propose? This question is addressed to the the PI, Professor Orest Kochan of the Department of Information and Measurement Technologies at Lviv Polytechnic National University.
The Professor told that he and his colleagues have been working with critical services for years. In particular, they studied the quality and accuracy of measurements of critical infrastructure facilities. Recommendations based on the results of these studies are important, for example, during repairs at energy generating facilities.
“The Department of Information and Measurement Technologies specializes in measurements. These measurements help us understand what is happening in a given situation”, explained the PI. ”We cooperated with experts in ecology, safety of buildings and critical infrastructures, as well as with specialists who develop such infrastructure. This is how we formed a group of like-minded people capable of achieving goals that would have been unrealistic on their own. This is a vivid example of effective interdisciplinary cooperation”.
We saw cities with over one million inhabitants plunge into darkness
When the NRFU launched the Call “Science for the Recovery of Ukraine in the War and Post-War Periods”, the group already had experience and a clear vision, so they did not hesitate to apply. “During the first blackouts we saw cities with over one million inhabitants plunge into darkness… We realized that we needed specific recommendations on how to operate under extreme circumstances, how to minimize damage and quickly restore the functioning of infrastructure,” recalls Professor Kochan.
The researchers decided to test their methods on small objects – server stations. “We made calculations based on the server station of Lviv Polytechnic National University,” explains the PI. ”After completing the study, we offered the university recommendations on how to improve the operating conditions of the server room. We are glad that our proposals and technologies proved useful.” The developments can be scaled up at the regional or national level, for example, for the sustainable operation of power or heating plants.
The project consists of several components: measurement, environmental, and safety aspects. According to the PI, the researchers have combined theoretical approaches (modeling) and practical ones (creation of ready-to-use systems and devices).
As part of the measurement component, researchers have developed methods to improve measurement accuracy. This made it possible to determine the temperature of servers accurately and quickly.
Based on mathematical modeling, the project implementers developed a comprehensive assessment of ecological systems. “We can assess the state of the system, see development trends, and make adjustments if necessary,” the professor added. Online maps help to monitor the state of the environment in real time.
Another important area is the security of critical infrastructure facilities. Researchers have developed risk assessment methods for the recovery and sustainable operation of critical infrastructure facilities, as well as a risk management model. “This made it possible to study critical conditions and prepare recommendations on how to avoid extreme situations or minimize their likelihood,” the PI emphasizes.
The group worked in conditions of power shortages and blackouts, with autonomous power sources. The entire university depended on the uninterrupted operation of the server room. To keep the server room stable, the researchers developed methods to improve energy efficiency. “We have to use energy as efficiently as possible,” the Professor added. ”These methods can reduce electricity consumption and, in particular, reduce electricity bills.”
Based on the results of the research, a system for monitoring the temperature of the university’s server room was designed, its model was made, and experimental tests were conducted. This system helps to overcome power supply problems more effectively.
Sensor accuracy improved thanks to ‘mental energy’
The researchers also created a cyber-physical system that monitors and predicts soil conditions, and an online map. The system measures soil moisture, acidity, temperature, and heavy metal content which can increase after missile attacks.
We asked how the system works and where it was installed.
The researcher explained that the system consists of sensors that measure the condition of soil, water, and air, a data collection unit and software. “We installed the sensors near a facility that has repeatedly become a target for the enemy,” told professor Kochan.
System for transmitting soil condition data
Students of the university helped to transport and install the devices, the sensors, take measurements and process the data. “Based on the results of these measurements, eight master’s theses and one doctoral dissertation were defended,” proudly noted the researcher. ”After the war, we will need to restore the soil. Our graduates already have the appropriate experience. I am sure that these specialists will be in great demand.”
A graduate student, Tetiana Fedyshyn, under the supervision of the project participant Tetiana Bubela, also helped develop the cyber-physical system. The research results were useful when working on the thesis.
“My task is to improve the accuracy of the sensors. We purchased inexpensive Ukrainian thermistor sensors and significantly improved them by calibration. In other words, we improved the accuracy of measurements not thanks to expensive equipment, but ‘mental energy’,” jokes the researcher.
The monitoring system is already being used by an agricultural company. The scientists also developed a draft state standard for regulating the operation of critical infrastructure facilities, which is currently being finalized.
We also asked about the composition of the group which implemented this project and what they found to be the most complicated
The researcher told us that the environmental part of the study was implemented by young PhDs Elvira Dzhumelia and Maria Ruda. The server room temperature monitoring system was developed by a communications team – Mykola Beshlei, PhD, and Halyna Beshlei, PhD. The risks of critical infrastructure facilities were assessed by Yuriy Rudyk, Doctor of Technical Sciences, from Lviv State University of Life Safety. The measurement team consisted of Professor Orest Kochan, Doctor of Technical Sciences Tetiana Bubela, and PhD in Technical Sciences Viktor Kuts.
Of course, there were many challenges during the work.
“After nighttime shelling, it’s hard to focus on work,” admits the PI. ”Three of the four locations where I worked at came under attack. But we completed the project on time, and its results are already being used in practice.”