International projects of UzhNU: new energy solutions in the Carpathian region

For the western cross-border regions of Ukraine, access to the European Neighborhood Instrument and its cross-border cooperation programs constantly opens up new opportunities for development. A number of important areas are highlighted among the main modern challenges and needs that are prioritized by the Joint Operational Program Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine 2014-2020. Among them are the rational use of natural resources, education of a culture of responsible consumption, monitoring, forecasting and prevention of natural disasters, natural and man-made disasters, emergency situations, energy efficiency, introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, production of energy from renewable sources and a number of others.

One of the largest international projects is dedicated to the promotion of energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources through educational and practical activities in communities to support the sustainable use of natural resources in the border regions of Ukraine, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia Uzhhorod National University. In this material  we tell  about the successful implementation of the project "New energy solutions in the Carpathian region" NESICA HUSKROUA/1702/6.1/0014 . This project contributes to the achievement of the goal of the Program "Protection of the environment, mitigation of climate change and adaptation", providing a powerful platform for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources.

With whom does UzhNU cooperate in the field of implementation of effective energy technologies, in particular in the project "New energy solutions in the Carpathian region"?

Oksana Svezhentseva, head of the international relations department: On new energy solutions in the Carpathian region, we reason together with our international partners - scientists from Košice Technical University, Niredgaz University, Suceava University "Stefan sel Mare". Together, as a university consortium, and with the participation of representatives of the self-government of the Sabolch-Satmar-Berezka region and the Center for European Initiatives, we systematically hold international scientific conferences, scientific and practical seminars, round tables and practical trainings on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Each regional team offers new technologies and innovations to solve the problems of efficient energy consumption and energy saving, the purpose of which is -  reducing energy consumption in residential, administrative and municipal buildings.

What are the main tasks defined by the project participants?  

Tetyana Golembovska, deputy head of the international relations department, assistant project manager: Practical and theoretical tasks are clearly formulated before the international team. Firstly, it is the development of a strategic approach to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in the border regions, secondly, it is an increase in the awareness and competence of the population in the border regions regarding global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the possibilities of using renewable energy sources, and it is also the creation of specialized laboratories for energy efficiency and renewable sources in each partner region. With the support of a European grant, we plan to improve the currently low energy efficiency and to carry out the reconstruction of the heating system using renewable energy sources, which will allow the use of solar radiation technology to provide electricity to buildings.

Is the practical implementation of the tasks set within the framework of the project already taking place?

Aleksandr Rogach, vice-rector, project manager: The task of the international project is now in the state active performance. A series of trainings of foreign experts on energy efficiency and renewable energy has begun, with the participation of our specialists and students. In the near future, workshops will be organized on the topics: "Promising measures to reduce the level of heat loss in buildings", "Methods and prospects of introducing renewable energy sources in UzhNU" and "The most promising measures to modernize the existing heating system using the example of UzhNU buildings".

And what is no less  important, active preparatory work is underway today to install a system of solar panels and heat pumps for heating the premises and heating the water in the sports pool of the Uzhhorod National University complex. The other day, a tender was announced for the reconstruction of the heating system using renewable sources of the building of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of UzhNU.

What is the conceptual importance and relevance of an international project?

We have chosen the basic principles of the Joint Concept "Eco-Smart – Energy – Carpathia" : a) Compliance with the principle of sustainable development of territories and communities, that is, conformity in practice of balance (coherence, harmonization) of economic, ecological and social components of their development; b) A comprehensive (systemic) approach to the implementation of a multifactorial, system optimization analysis and the development of practical recommendations in the Concept.;  c) Ensuring the core nature of the implementation of the five evaluation criteria adopted in the EU regarding the prospects of success and implementation of the Concept as a strategic document, namely: relevance (relevance),  effectiveness (effectiveness),  efficiency,_11100000 -0000-0000-0000-000000000111_ influence (influence), stability. 

 I must note that in fact the essence and basic principles of the developed Concept "Smart - Energy - Carpathia" are not limited only to the target territory of the NESICA Project. After all, the Carpathian macroregion, based on its natural-resource, economic-geographical, infrastructural and socio-political characteristics, is a fairly integral natural-geographical territory in the center of the European continent, where such countries  as Romania, Hungary, Slovakia are located , Poland and Ukraine. As for Ukraine, the country's choice and legislative consolidation of the European integration course, signing and planned implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU also necessarily dictates the consistency of energy decisions and the use of natural resource energy potential with the basic principles of the EU and  international - legal agreements ratified by Ukraine.

By info department of international relations

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