The Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’s energy efficiency program for 2025–2030 aims to systematically reduce energy resource consumption through campus modernisation and the application of innovative technologies.
The plan calls for the thermal retrofitting of academic buildings and dormitories, the replacement of outdated utility systems with modern energy-efficient alternatives, and the gradual diversification of power sources through the integration of renewable energy facilities. By automating metering, optimising heat supply operations, and fostering a culture of energy conservation among students and faculty, the university seeks to significantly lower overall energy consumption, minimise costs, and create an environmentally safe, comfortable environment for learning and research.
IGOR SIKORSKY KYIV POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME FOR 2025–2030
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Relevance of energy efficiency in the context of current challenges
Under martial law, Ukraine faces an urgent need to improve energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, particularly in the public sector and critical infrastructure. The war has caused significant damage to energy infrastructure, entailing reduced energy supply, rising costs of its restoration, and increased economic vulnerability. In these conditions, reducing energy consumption, optimising its use, and diversifying sources have become not only an economic necessity but also a matter of national security.
A substantial part of electric power plants and distribution networks has been damaged by missile strikes and drone attacks, forcing this country to adapt rapidly to new realities. One of the most effective ways is the introduction of modern energy-efficient technologies that reduce dependence on centralised supply sources and ensure the stability of the energy system even in crises.
In addition, the relevance of energy saving is determined by the high energy intensity of Ukraine’s GDP, which points to the inefficient use of resources, compared with developed European countries. Large-scale energy modernisation of all sectors of the economy, especially public utilities and critical infrastructure facilities, is a top priority of government policy.
Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and generate one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. In Ukraine, 90% of buildings do not meet modern energy-efficiency standards, bringing about the excessive use of energy resources. This problem is exacerbated under martial law, as the shortage of energy resources compels both the government and the population to seek out the alternative ways of saving.
On the one hand, the implementation of energy-efficiency measures makes it possible to achieve a considerable saving of resources. On the other hand, it makes new challenges for the automation of metering and energy-consumption management.
To grapple with these problems, it is necessary to introduce modern energy-management systems, real-time modelling of energy supply and consumption processes, and SmartMetering technologies for accurate measurement and monitoring of energy use.
Thus, energy efficiency is not only an economic necessity but also an instrument for strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience during wartime. The Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute’s Energy Efficiency Programme (hereinafter the “Programme”) constitutes a practical realisation of government policy in the realm of energy conservation.
In the context of martial law, universities also play an important role in coming up with solutions that turbocharge country’s energy independence. They become platforms for the development and testing of innovative technologies such as standalone energy-supply systems, microgrid technologies and local renewable energy sources (RES), which can be used both in peacetime and during hostilities to support critical infrastructure.
Education is the foundation of sustainable development, as it fosters a new generation of specialists capable of adapting the country to modern challenges. Not only universities do train specialists in the application of energy-efficient technologies but they also act as research centres for the practical implementation of solutions in this area.
Furthermore, higher education institutions can serve as educational and innovation hubs for disseminating experience in the introduction of RES, standalone power systems and energy-backup solutions. This is especially relevant under martial law, when the stable, smooth operation of critical infrastructure facilities becomes vital.
Therefore, improving energy efficiency is not merely a means of resource saving but a strategic instrument for ensuring national security, stability and the recovery of Ukraine’s economy.
1.2. General provisions
The purpose of the Programme is the comprehensive renovation of the buildings of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, using modern technologies and energy-efficient equipment in order to offer better comforts in the university campus and to save national budget allocations spent on energy supplies. The implementation of the Programme is supposed to improve significantly the comforts of buildings both in winter and in summer, which will produce a beneficial effect on the quality of education services.
The Programme envisages a package of measures designed for the thermal insulation of external building envelopes, as well as the potential reconstruction of heating systems, modernisation of certain heating substations and the lighting system, among others.
Characteristics of the investment activity entity:
- Full name: National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”;
- Rector – PhD, Professor Anatolii Melnychenko;
- Address: 37 Beresteiskyi Avenue, Kyiv, 03056;
- Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organisations of Ukraine (EDRPOU) code: 02070921;
- Form of ownership: public institution;
- Statute of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, approved by Act of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 568 of 16 May 2023.
The main task of the Programme is to reduce the consumption of energy resources and to ensure high-quality heat supply to academic buildings (standard indoor temperature during the cold season when heat is required: lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories and administrative premises – 18°C).
The present-day challenges of energy supply require the modernisation of systems designed for the supply and consumption of thermal energy, electricity and cold water in accordance with the best world practices. In developed countries, special attention is focused on a comprehensive approach to three key tasks:
Energy security – uninterrupted energy supply, the high quality of services, and reliability of infrastructure;
Energy affordability – economic efficiency, cost optimisation and the application of energy-saving technologies;
Environmental acceptability – the minimisation of a negative environmental impact, decarbonisation, the development of RES and adaptation to climate change.
In the European Union, the key concept of energy development is the European Technology Platform SmartGrids – an integrated energy-supply system based on decentralised generation, the smart management of consumption, and digital technologies. The main advantages of this model are:
- energy security and reliability – the minimisation of supply interruption risks;
- economic efficiency – cost optimisation, and flexible demand management;
- environmental sustainability – reduction of CO₂ emissions, and a transition to renewable energy.
The introduction of similar approaches in Ukraine is vital, especially under martial law, when the problems of energy-supply stability and the restoration of energy infrastructure come to the forefront.
The Programme is geared to achieve the strategic sustainable development goals, which include the following main components:
- organisational – the development of energy management, establishment of an energy-efficiency policy, formulation of a comprehensive action plan, and integration of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute into the national and international energy community;
- social – the creation of comfortable conditions for learning and work, raising awareness among students and staff of the rational use of energy resources, and popularisation of the principles of sustainable development;
- economic – the reduction of expenditure on energy supplies through the modernisation of infrastructure and application of energy-saving technologies;
- technical – the comprehensive renovation of Kyiv Polytechnic’s buildings, including:
- thermal modernisation of dormitories and academic buildings;
- modernisation of heating systems;
-
diversification of heat-supply sources, and the application of RES;
-
completion of an automated system for metering and monitoring energy consumption (heat, electricity, and cold water);
- environmental – the minimisation of CO₂ emissions, development of environmentally friendly technologies, and a decrease in the negative impact of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute on the environment.
Implementers of the Programme: structural subdivisions of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
1.3. Compliance with national and international programmes
The main task is to reduce the consumption of energy supplies (thermal energy, water, and electricity) by enhancing the efficiency of their use. This can be achieved through:
- thermal modernisation of buildings – the insulation of walls and roofs, replacement of windows and doors;
- the audit of transformer substations and installation of electric capacity reserves in them, and the modernisation of transformer substations and power supply lines if necessary;
- introduction of innovative solutions – the application of SmartGrids technologies, smart energy consumption management systems, and real-time energy monitoring;
- application of RES;
- modernisation of supply systems – upgrading of heat, water, natural gas and electricity networks, and increasing autonomy.
This Programme exactly conforms to the following priority lines of Ukraine’s energy policy:
- Law of Ukraine No. 1818-IX of 21 October 2021 “On Energy Efficiency”;
- Law of Ukraine No. 2118-VIII of 22 June 2017 “On Energy Efficiency of Buildings”;
- Law of Ukraine No. 327-VIII of 9 April 2015 “On New Investment Opportunities, Ensuring the Rights and Legitimate Interests of Business Entities in Terms of Large-Scale Energy Modernisation”.
The priority of this direction is determined by recent acts of the Government of Ukraine:
- Act of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Through 2030” No. 1803-r dated 29 December 2021;
- Ukrainian Government Act “On the Implementation of Energy Management Systems” No. 1460 dated 23 December 2021.