Ukraine is actively developing new generation capacity, energy storage systems, and hybrid energy solutions. At the same time, these projects are being implemented under conditions where modern technologies must be integrated into infrastructure, a significant portion of which was built decades ago.
Recently, at the forum “From Project to Megawatt: Engineering Ukraine’s New Energy Sector,” organized by the Energy Club, I shared my perspective on the practical challenges currently faced by companies implementing new power generation projects.
These observations and conclusions are based on the practical experience of Energo-Plus, which is implementing distributed generation projects with a total capacity of more than 430 MW.
Modern Equipment on Aging Infrastructure
Today, the implementation of new energy projects is constrained not by a single factor, but by the simultaneous impact of multiple challenges. One of them is the need to integrate modern technological equipment into infrastructure that was originally designed during the Soviet era.
“We are connecting modern, technologically advanced equipment to a power grid that was designed during the Soviet era and has long since exceeded its design service life. This is our day-to-day engineering reality.”
Grid Connection Requires Dialogue
Particular attention should be paid to the process of connecting new facilities to the distribution system operators’ (DSOs’) networks. Based on my experience, it is not possible to move forward quickly without a detailed, collaborative review of the technical conditions during meetings involving all parties to the process — the customer, the DSO, and the contractor.
If the technical conditions are not worked out through dialogue in advance, the project runs up against constraints that are often an artifact of outdated methodologies for constructing energy facilities.
As an example, I can cite one of our facilities in the Vinnytsia region. The technical conditions provided for grid connection in accordance with the applicable standards — technically sound, but designed for standard peacetime operating conditions. Several parties with differing priorities are involved in the project’s implementation: the DSO, for which safe grid connection is paramount; the customer, who needs generation capacity brought online as quickly as possible; and the contractor, who is responsible for fulfilling the contractual requirements.
If even one of the parties takes a rigid position and simply says “no,” the process comes to a halt. And under wartime conditions, any stoppage means missed deadlines and a failure to meet contractual obligations.
In my view, the solution lies in the phased implementation of the technical conditions, jointly agreed upon by the customer and the distribution system operator. This approach makes it possible to shorten the timeframe for bringing generation capacity online.
Equipment Shortages Have Become Part of Project Reality
Another factor that directly affects the timelines for implementing energy projects is the availability of equipment. Some equipment items are either not currently being manufactured in the required quantities or have lead times of four to six months. For projects implemented under wartime conditions, this creates additional risks and requires greater flexibility in planning.
That is why Energo-Plus proactively develops alternative technical solutions. At every one of our sites, we have Plans B, C, and D — today, this is essential to meeting our contractual obligations on time.
Errors Introduced at the Master Planning Stage
Among the typical challenges encountered during the design phase, one of the key issues is the lack of provision for the facility’s future development. If the master plan does not provide for the future installation of additional generation capacity, this may become a significant constraint at a later stage.
At ENERGO-PLUS, we follow a simple principle: think ahead. At the master planning stage, we already consider what will be installed at the facility six to twelve months down the line and whether there will still be sufficient access for its prompt maintenance and repair.
If this is not anticipated in advance, the problem may not become apparent immediately. Over time, the need for additional capacity may arise, only to find that there is no space left to accommodate it. This is particularly challenging when the equipment has already been installed inside protective structures, where adding anything else is virtually impossible.
Equally important is the subsequent operation of the facility. Access to the equipment, as well as the ability to carry out maintenance, repairs, and dismantling of its largest components, must be taken into account at the design stage.
How the War Is Changing Design Approaches
The war has significantly changed the approach to designing energy facilities. Our experience has demonstrated the effectiveness of block and modular solutions, including mobile switchgear installations designed for rapid dismantling and relocation. This is not a matter of following a trend, but a practical necessity.
At the same time, the requirements for protecting facilities under the “Fortress Country” standard can sometimes conflict with the principles of their subsequent operation. We have already encountered situations where equipment, although securely enclosed within a protective structure, became virtually inaccessible for maintenance.
Maintainability is a key requirement for any energy facility. That is why, already at the design stage, we take into account all potential equipment-related operations, including the dismantling of its largest components.
Why the Future Lies in Hybrid Solutions
When it comes to generation technologies, I believe the optimal approach is to use hybrid systems that combine a gas turbine, battery energy storage systems (BESS), solar or wind generation, and an intelligent energy management system.
This architecture is cost-effective, as the components can optimize the cost of generated electricity depending on operating conditions. It is also highly reliable, since the failure of one generation source does not bring the entire system to a halt. And it is resilient, as it allows the system to adapt to changing wartime, market, and regulatory conditions.
Monotechnological solutions today are essentially a bet that a single set of conditions will remain stable. In the current environment, that is an overly optimistic assumption.
What Shortens the Path from Concept to Megawatt
In my view, there are three key conditions without which it is practically impossible to accelerate the implementation of new energy projects.
The first is for the customer, contractor, and distribution system operator (DSO) to work in parallel rather than sequentially. Every step based on a “pass it on” approach costs a week of lost time.
The second is phased implementation. For example, landscaping works can be deferred to a separate, later stage, with priority given to commissioning the generation facility.
The third is flexibility with regard to equipment. If the specification provides for the delivery of certain components within six months, we prepare a temporary technical solution in parallel to carry out commissioning activities.
The combination of these approaches makes it possible to shorten the time from the start of project implementation to the addition of new megawatts to Ukraine’s power system. And this is not just about efficiency: under wartime conditions, it is a matter of the country’s energy resilience.
Author: Vadym Lytvynenko, Executive Director of NVP ENERGO-PLUS LLC.
Source: Energo Business.
