DECENTRALIZATION – THE MAIN WAY FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ENERGY INDUSTRY OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Topicality. The events of November 2022 showed the absolute instability of Ukraine's centralized energy system. Up to 40% of the centralized energy infrastructure was disabled in two days. Millions of people were left without electricity, heat and water for a long time. Therefore, it is very important to develop the energy sector of the state in the future, taking into account the needs of Ukraine's decentralization policy, in particular, local communitiesAim and tasks. The purpose of the research is to determine the imperatives of decentralization of the energy sector of Ukraine. The main way of developing the energy system of the state is the transition from a centralized to a distributed system. The location of generation systems in united communities makes it possible to switch to systems of cogeneration of electric and thermal energy to increase the efficiency of installed capacities and save fuel significantly by up to 40%.Materials and Methods. The methodological basis for the formation of regional policy should become the best of the world and European practices of the country`s energy sector development. Active use of the methods of system analysis, expert assessment on the implementation of decentralization systems of the energy industry is a guarantee of achieving the priorities of national security of Ukraine in the post-war period. Priority support from the EU and others international donors refers to those projects and programs aimed at decentralization, decarbonization, local economic sustainability and energy independence.Research results. The research substantiates that local communities have great opportunities for using alternative renewable resources for the generation of electricity and thermal energy. First of all, it is biomass, biogas, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. In particular, the authors proved that due to the installation of means of electric energy accumulation, it is possible to raise the level of use of the installed capacities of solar and wind power plants by another 50% and to bring the total level of use of the installed energy capacities to 70%.Conclusions. The active implementation of alternative energy sources into economic practice can become the basis of the national security of the state in the post-war period. It is suggested that Communities use nearby agricultural waste and solid household waste as fuel instead of imported fossil fuel. It is also proposed to create local electric networks combined into virtual power plants within the framework of united communities, including not only all types of generation available on the territory, but also systems of short-term and long-term storage of electric energy. For the long-term storage of large amounts of electrical energy, it is suggested to use accumulators based on cryogenic liquids. It has been proven that due to the installation of means of electric energy accumulation, it is possible to raise the level of use of the installed capacities of solar and wind power plants by another 50% and to bring the total level of use of the installed energy capacities to 70%. Virtual power plants make it possible to significantly increase the amount of generated (consumed) electricity without additional investment costs. Such technologies meet the requirements of the European Union for candidate countries to join the Union and open the possibility of financing projects related to the restoration of the energy system of Ukraine based on renewable sources and advanced energy-efficient technologies.