On April 1, 2026, the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, academician of NAS Ukraine Anatoliy Zahorodniy, the first vice-president of NAS Ukraine, head of the Section of Physical-Technical and Mathematical Sciences, academician of NAS Ukraine Vyacheslav Bohdanov, academician-secretary of the Department of Energy and Energy Technologies of NAS Ukraine, academician of NAS Ukraine Andriy Rusanov, deputy academician-secretaries of the Department, academician of NAS Ukraine Andriy Zharkin, and corresponding members of NAS Ukraine Hennadiy Zhuk and Zhanna Petrova, scientific secretary of the Section of Physical-Technical and Mathematical Sciences of NAS Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences Serhiy Bespalov, and scientific secretary of the Department of Energy and Energy Technologies of NAS Ukraine, Candidate of Technical Sciences Vladyslav Titko, made a working visit to the Institute of Renewable Energy of NAS Ukraine to familiarize themselves with the main directions of the institution’s activities, its scientific developments, experimental base, and the current state of fundamental and applied research in the field of renewable energy.
During the visit, the director of the Institute, corresponding member of NAS Ukraine Stepan Kudrya, told the guests from the Presidium of the Academy about the history of the institution and its establishment as a leading Ukrainian scientific center in the field of renewable energy. He emphasized that the Institute is the only specialized academic institution in our country conducting comprehensive research in all main directions of renewable energy—from fundamental principles to the creation of experimental and implemented technologies. The Institute plays a key role in forming the scientific foundations for the development of renewable energy in the state, participates in the development of strategic documents, particularly in the field of hydrogen energy, and also provides scientific support for the implementation of innovative technologies in the energy sector.
Next, the guests familiarized themselves with the activities of the Institute’s scientific units, in particular the departments of solar energy, wind energy, small hydropower, geothermal energy, organic energy carriers, and integrated energy systems. The scientists of the institution demonstrated to the Academy leadership the results of scientific research covering a wide range of directions—from modeling energy conversion processes to developing innovative energy systems. In particular, the Institute is carrying out scientific projects aimed at the development of hydrogen energy, integration of renewable energy sources into the energy system, increasing the efficiency of geothermal installations, biomass utilization, and the creation of combined energy systems.
Significant results of the Institute’s scientific activities were also noted—the growth in the number of scientific publications, development of a professional journal, patent activity, and training of scientific personnel.
An important direction of the institution’s activity is the creation of modern information-analytical tools. The Energy Potential Atlas of Renewable Energy Sources of Ukraine developed at the Institute is systematically updated and has become useful to a wide range of users. Currently, an interactive version with detailing down to the level of territorial communities is being created.
Last year, the Institute for the first time formed a unified geospatial database of the potential of renewable energy sources broken down by 1469 territorial communities of Ukraine. This is the basis for the development of hydrogen energy and economic modeling of corresponding projects.
In addition, the institution actively cooperates with territorial communities, providing scientific and analytical support for the implementation of renewable energy and preparation of investment decisions.
During the visit, the guests were shown in detail the experimental base of the Institute. In particular, the geothermal polygon with wells up to 20 meters deep equipped with probes of various designs, as well as systems for using water from the Poltava and Buchach aquifers (at depths of about 50 and 110 meters respectively), were presented by the deputy director for scientific work of the Institute, Doctor of Technical Sciences Oleksiy Zur’yan. The operation of heat pump systems, thermal energy storage systems, and monitoring systems for thermophysical processes was demonstrated, enabling the study of the efficiency of geothermal resource use under real conditions. The heat energy obtained in this way is used for heating the Institute’s premises, including the assembly hall. It can also be used to support heating systems during periods of increased load.
Oleksiy Zur’yan also introduced the guests to experimental installations for producing “green” hydrogen based on an electrolyzer, which are used both for scientific research and for educational purposes. The research is aimed at integrating hydrogen technologies with renewable energy systems operating under variable generation conditions.
Small-scale pyrolysis furnaces for autonomous heating of premises with built-in thermoelectric generators were presented by the head of the department, Candidate of Technical Sciences Hennadiy Chetverik. He noted their efficiency in converting biomass into thermal and electrical energy and outlined prospects for their use in conditions of limited access to centralized energy sources.
Mobile autonomous backup power systems were demonstrated by senior research associate, Candidate of Technical Sciences Dmytro Bondarenko. These systems include photovoltaic modules with a capacity of about 3 kW, inverters, battery packs with a capacity of up to 5 kWh, backup generators, and water purification systems. These systems have undergone practical testing in units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; two of them have already been handed over for use in field conditions, and one serves as a demonstration model.
The Academy leadership was also shown photovoltaic systems with a capacity of up to 10 kW—both stationary and with rotating mechanisms—equipped with energy storage systems. These systems are effectively used for autonomous power supply of the Institute’s facilities, especially during periods of power supply restrictions, as well as for conducting experimental research.
The guests were also informed about the significant contribution of the Institute to supporting Ukraine’s defense capability: the total amount of assistance exceeded 2 million UAH.
During the final discussion, the participants of the meeting discussed promising directions for the development of renewable energy in Ukraine. The deputy director for scientific work of the Institute, corresponding member of NAS Ukraine Mykola Kuznetsov, joined the discussion, emphasizing the importance of developing combined energy systems and integrating renewable energy sources into the energy infrastructure.
“The Institute of Renewable Energy of NAS Ukraine today is a platform where fundamental science, engineering solutions, and practical implementation of technologies come together. Our task is not only to develop scientific research but also to ensure their real application for energy independence and the restoration of Ukraine,” said at the end of the meeting the director of the Institute, corresponding member of NAS Ukraine Stepan Kudrya.
According to information from the Institute of Renewable Energy of NAS Ukraine
Photo: press service of NAS Ukraine
