Aston University experts supported a revolutionary heat pump technology project in the fight back against Russia’s continued targeting of the Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Professor Basok has thanked Birmingham experts
A top Ukrainian scientist has thanked experts in Birmingham for supporting heating technology to combat Russioa.
Aston University experts supported a revolutionary heat pump technology project in the fight back against Russia’s continued targeting of the Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Kyiv-based Professor Borys Basok is working with Aston University researchers on a new heat pump system specially designed to deal with Ukraine’s extreme winters, where temperatures plummet as low as -21°C.
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The pioneering technology can easily be retrofitted to existing Soviet-style heating systems – giving Ukraine a green fuel solution to keep families warm.
The Aston University led two-year project has received UK Government funding under the first round of InnovateUkraine, a £16million clean energy competition run by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The project supports Ukraine while generating growth and jobs in line with the Government’s Plan for Change.
Professor Basok said: “The heat pump we are developing with Aston University can help Ukraine fight back against Russia’s weaponisation of energy.
“This project offers a cheaper, more fuel-efficient way to heat our people during our extreme winters – to ensure they have the resilience to defend ourselves against the Russian invaders.
“These heat pumps can play a crucial role in combating spiking energy prices to free up extra resources which can be better used for Ukraine’s 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.”
The FCDO-funded InnovateUkraine projects are using the best of British expertise to support Ukraine with its energy needs, as part of the 100 Year Partnership that Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier this year.
Aston University has been working with Professor Basok and his team at the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv.
Professor Basok has remained in Ukraine – determined to see through the project to help his country’s stand against Russian aggression.
He explained: “This 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.”
Prof Basok also shed light on what it was like living in Ukraine amid the constant bombardment from Russia.
He said “every Ukrainia”n now has lost someone to the war.
He added: “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’s 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.
“My 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.”
Aston University researchers have helped adapt heat pump technology to generate four times more heat in winter than Ukraine’s conventional systems.
The heat pumps 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 3.7million internally displaced who have been forced to flee their homes during the conflict.
Leading the project for Aston University is Reader Dr Muhammad Imran, of the Department of Mechanical, Biomedical and Design Engineering.
He said: “We 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°C to offer users appropriate warmth during the country’s severe winters.
“We’ve created a plug and play solution which 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’s 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.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “This government is proud to be harnessing cutting- edge innovations from businesses and universities right across the UK, to help Ukraine rebuild from Russia’s illegal invasion greener and more resilient than ever before.
“The InnovateUkraine challenge fund is a powerful demonstration of the UK’s unbreakable support for Ukraine as we work towards securing a just and lasting peace for the country against Russian aggression.
“The 100 Year Partnership with Ukraine is a vital part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change – helping boost security and growth in a sustainable way for both countries for generations to come.”