The United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine has published a pre-feasibility study on 37 solar storage system at hospitals and water supply facilities in 18 Ukrainian cities, ensuring uninterrupted power supply throught hybrid PV system. The report aims to attract private investors to support Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)at critical infrastructure facilities in major cities, as part of a project financed by the Global Environment Facility.
The researchers said that ensuring the energy security of Ukraine's hospitals and water supply facilities has become crucial following the invasion and shelling of the country's energy infrastructure. They noted the urgent need for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)solutions to address destruction and damage to municipal critical infrastructure and power generation facilities, in order to ensure the continuous power supply of Ukrainian cities.
The annual capacity of the proposed solar plants for hospitals starting from 50KW Solar ESS and 100kw Hybrid Solar ESS for solar plants at water supply companies.
Such projects would be developed under the ESCO Solar Power Plants model, which would see private companies design, assemble, construct and install the arrays. The study assumed total investment by energy service companies of around $30 million
The researchers said that if all described projects are implemented, they would generate approximately 16 million kWh of clean energy, resulting in annual energy savings of 10% to 30% for the host facilities. They also said that post-completion, annual municipal savings could nearly reach UAH 85 million ($2.2 million), with potential growth as tariffs increase.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to widespread calls for the solar industry to help rebuild Ukraine's infrastructure through solar development. The Solar Supports Ukraine project, aimed at supporting critical infrastructure, was launched in December 2022.
In March, the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory published detailed solar irradiance data on Ukraine, which is expected to help rebuild and decentralize the country's grid.
