Energy efficiency is a topic that has recently increasingly worried Ukrainian. There is an explanation: high tariffs, harmful emissions into the environment, external conflicts, communal revolution and so om This is a problem for all parties in particular, Sumy region, certain measures are taken to ensure energy conservation and increase energy efficiency. However, there are some problems. This and another topics were discussed with Doctor of Technical Sciences, an expert in energy Nikolay Sotnik.

• Nikolay, today is generally accepted the thoght that one of the solutions to the problems of energy efficiency is to ensure the growth of alternative fuels. Can this trend be observed in Sumy and region as a whole?

The city of Sumy is not an active participant in the production of alternative fuels: pellets, briquettes. Generally the city as such is a formation, which produces only harmful substances should utilize, including emissions from fuel combustion. I was the host of the program created by the combination of university and Sumyteplokomunenerho, but not its performer,. The scheme heat was developed under recommendations that at the time were given by the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine. During the program were implemented some measures related to energy efficiency of networks of boilers. Our main tasks today is to increase the coefficient of favor action of Sumy boilers and CHP, and reduce production losses in the networks, including relining, pipe replacement in existing thermal load.

• What changes in modernization of heat supply can be seen in Sumy nowadays?

Our Sumy TPP uses only 50% of its heating power. It is necessary to modernize all the networks to reduce waste of heat. But it needs finances and solution of political issues of system of providing the city with heating energy. If these points are implemented, thus, there will appear the possibility to fully load the TPP, close some boiler rooms, and reduce tariffs. Moreover, there is an urgent problem of regulation of heat supply to buildings, their sanitation and winterization.

• What is the perspective of development of alternative kinds of fuel in Sumy oblast?

Undoubtedly, alternative kinds of fuel are the future. We have made the program of rising energy efficiency of centralized systems of Sumy oblast heat supply. Within the program the use of alternative kinds of energy were considered. It was concluded that it’s time to impose order in use of wood. For example, if to utilize unmerchantable wood, it’s possible to enlarge the extent of producing of fuel briquettes and pellets to 50% without increasing deforestation! Roughly speaking, it’s necessary to stock up with wood chippers that are brought to cutting areas, connect them to tractors, load them with all the branches and sticks and break them into thinnings.

• How does is the conflict with Russia reflected on the use of such a deficient kind of fuel in Ukraine as natural gas?

If gas is used less, it’s not because of the conflict with Russia, but because of the rise of prices on in. Today exported gas from Russia is cheaper than the proposed price.

• Latest years efficiently working transparent mechanisms of regulation of relationship of economic management, citizens and city executive bodies had to start functioning. Does such an accounting exist nowadays and how is it reflected on the system of heat supply?

I still don’t understand the issue of relationship between government and citizens. The tariffs that were reconfirmed, are still non-transparent. It’s still a mystery how to explain all the numbers in tariff calculations.

• Does Sumy city plan to adopt the experience of neighboring cities and reorganize the provision of housing and utility services in the course of housing-and-municipal revolution?

In part these reforms are already taking place. But people slowly slip to housing cooperative: they are afraid because such a change means that the responsibility, including the financial one will be rested on them. The people that have a right on subsidy apply all the force to keep their functioning, in spite of the fact that the tariff will get more expensive. They are not interested in energy efficiency of their houses. The worse the system works, the better it is for them. And only those who have the subsidy work on the issues of energy efficiency. It’s not right. It’s just one more way to another loop of corruption. But everything is not so bad. There are perspectives. Policy and economy will change if we start to change them. I tell my students that the humanity has two evils: laziness and greediness. We let others plunder us, because we’re lazy to defend our rights. Nothing will change until we start to respect ourselves. Taras Shevchenko said: “Fight and you will overcome it!”

  

Yana Dyryavska,

Reporter of the Center