Aston University has been working on heat pump technology with the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv
The UK researchers have helped adapt heat pump technology to generate four times more heat in winter than Ukraine鈥檚 conventional systems.
The devices can also be powered by diesel generators during power blackouts, meaning they could be used to provide more fuel-efficient warmth to Ukrainian soldiers and the estimated 3.7m people who have been forced to flee their homes during the conflict.
In Ukraine鈥檚 winters, temperatures plummet as low as -21掳C.
The pioneering technology can also easily be retrofitted to existing Soviet-style heating systems 鈥� providing a green fuel solution in response to Russia鈥檚 targeting of the country鈥檚 energy infrastructure.
The two-year project has received UK government funding under the first round of InnovateUkraine, a 拢16m clean energy competition run by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Professor Borys Basok of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics in Kyiv said: 鈥淭he heat pump we are developing with Aston University can help Ukraine fight back against Russia鈥檚 weaponisation of energy. This project offers a cheaper, more fuel-efficient way to heat our people during our extreme winters 鈥� to ensure they have the resilience to defend ourselves against the Russian invaders.
鈥淭hese heat pumps can play a crucial role in combating spiking energy prices to free up extra resources which can be better used for Ukraine鈥檚 war effort. This support from Aston University and the UK government is also ensuring a brighter future for Ukraine by enabling us to rebuild our country in a greener way.鈥�
Leading the project for Aston University is reader Dr Muhammad Imran in the School of Engineering & Innovation. He said: 鈥淲e have specifically designed a heat pump that suits the Ukrainian needs during wartime. Most Ukrainian buildings and infrastructure use old Soviet-style radiative heaters made of cast iron so we need a heat pump that can generate 70-75掳C to offer users appropriate warmth during the country鈥檚 severe winters.
鈥淲e鈥檝e created a plug-and-play solution that uses a quarter less power and can be directly connected to the existing radiators that are so prevalent in Ukraine. The Russians are continually targeting Ukraine鈥檚 energy infrastructure, so we have also adapted our heat pump technology to work off diesel generators during power blackouts. It can run off diesel six times more efficiently and cheaper than conventional alternatives.
鈥淟ots of families have lost their main wage earner to the frontline of this war, so heat pumps offer the chance for families to have heating with far lower costs. Huge groups of displaced communities need help with heating. Reducing the energy demands will enable Ukraine to channel more resource back into its war effort.鈥�
A prototype is now up and running at the institute in Kyiv. The 120kW heat pump is already supplying energy to between 50 and 80 offices 鈥� around a quarter of the building. It鈥檚 hoped the successful trial launch will see the technology start to be rolled out across Ukraine.
Dr Imran added: 鈥淢any of our video calls with Professor Basok and our partners in Ukraine come to an abrupt end due to air raid warnings or power outages. It serves as a constant reminder of the suffering of people living in the country we are trying to help.
鈥淒eveloping something which is useful for the people of Ukraine at their time of need is really rewarding. People need cheaper and more efficient power so I feel I am contributing positively to the country鈥檚 war effort as they battle against an illegal invasion.
鈥淭he legacy of this work will last far longer than the war. It also offers Ukraine a long-term solution to its energy needs as it rebuilds from the war. We can decarbonise the country as it bounces back to also help Ukraine win the battle against climate change.鈥�
Professor Basok has remained in Ukraine, determined to see through the project to help his country鈥檚 stand against Russia. He explained: 鈥淭his project has helped me focus on something that is an important contribution to Ukraine because people need energy. We are under constant bombardment. We are feeling stressed, we are feeling fear, we are feeling indignation that this is happening to our country because people are dying every day.
鈥淓very Ukrainian now has lost someone during this time of terror 鈥� either family or friends or people they knew. I have five grandchildren. We were directly on the path the Russians took as the launched their assault on Kyiv following the invasion in 2022. My eldest daughter鈥檚 family miraculously escaped through fields with crops to Poland after the area where they live was occupied by Russian troops. My house is riddled with bullet holes and shrapnel damage after we found ourselves under constant artillery fire. There were Russian planes flying overhead.
鈥淢y family and I were not sleeping in our beds but in the corridor where the walls were strongest so that if a bomb hit, we had more chance of surviving. One of the scariest moments of the whole war was about a month ago when we suffered a mass attack on Kyiv and almost every district was hit by bombs. My colleague鈥檚 house was right next to where one of the bombs hit. This is why the UK鈥檚 unwavering support for Ukraine is so important. Together with Aston University, we are creating a wonderful heating system that meets the needs of the Ukrainian people at one of the toughest times in our history.鈥�
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