In April 2026, a delegation from Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute took part in a study visit to the Kingdom of Denmark organized within the framework of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Partnership Programme (UDEPP). For both students and faculty members, the visit provided an excellent opportunity to see how modern approaches to energy efficiency are implemented not only in theory but also in practice.
The visit was conducted as part of the educational and practical project ‘Energy Efficiency: From Idea to Action’, which aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of contemporary energy challenges, acquire hands-on experience, and learn how to apply their knowledge in real-world projects.
An important component of the programme was the exchange of experience with Danish colleagues, familiarization with successful European practices, and the development of student-led energy efficiency initiatives that participants plan to implement in Ukraine. The project's core objective is to combine academic learning, practical experience, and teamwork, demonstrating how modern energy-efficient solutions function in real-world settings and the role they can play in Ukraine's future development.
In the photo: students of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute during their own presentationThe Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute delegation included Olena Borychenko, Head of the Department of Power Supply at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management; Anatolii Cherniavskyi, Associate Professor of the Department of Power Supply and Director of the Energy Managers Training Center; students Kateryna Kononenko, Ivan Kot, Dmytro Pysarenko, and Kyrylo Cherniavskyi from the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management; and Dmytro Lienkov, a student of the Educational and Research Institute of Nuclear and Thermal Energy.
The programme was carefully designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of every major component of a modern energy efficiency system, from government policy and European legislation to the practical application of innovative technologies in buildings, industry, and urban infrastructure. During the visit, the delegation met with representatives of the Danish Energy Agency, the Municipality of Copenhagen, and several leading Danish universities, among other institutions.
The programme combined lectures, practical presentations, discussions, workshops, and visits to state-of-the-art energy facilities, enabling participants to gain not only theoretical knowledge but also a comprehensive understanding of how energy efficiency is implemented in one of Europe's leading countries in this field.
The first day of the study visit began at the Danish Energy Agency (DEA), where agency representatives introduced participants to the overall programme for their stay in Denmark. In turn, the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute students presented the university's key activities in the field of energy efficiency, highlighting student initiatives, research projects, and the practical experience they have already gained.
Throughout the day, participants learned how Denmark's modern energy system operates, how national energy efficiency policies are developed, and why energy efficiency has become one of the cornerstones of the country's energy security and climate strategy. Particular attention was given to building energy efficiency, contemporary approaches to reducing energy consumption, and the role of government information campaigns in encouraging responsible energy use among citizens. The students were especially impressed by the emphasis Denmark places not only on technological innovation but also on public engagement, motivation, and changing everyday energy consumption habits.
The second day focused on energy efficiency in industry and the municipal sector. Participants learned how Denmark has significantly reduced the energy intensity of its industrial production while maintaining economic growth through the extensive use of renewable energy sources, advanced energy management technologies, the integration of energy-efficient solutions into manufacturing processes, and a systematic approach to industrial modernization. The delegation then visited the Municipality of Copenhagen, where participants were introduced to the Energy Leap programme, a joint initiative of the city administration and private businesses aimed at improving the energy performance of existing buildings. The presentation demonstrated how digital data, remote monitoring systems, and district heating are used to optimize energy consumption and reduce CO₂ emissions in the urban environment. Later that day, the delegation visited the University of Copenhagen, where participants observed the practical operation of an energy management system across a large university campus. They were introduced to the implementation of ISO 50001 principles, digital monitoring systems, energy data analysis, and modern approaches to energy management. For the students, this provided an excellent example of how energy efficiency can be effectively integrated into university operations. The third day was devoted to European energy legislation and the mechanisms for its implementation at the national level. Experts from the Danish Energy Agency explained how European Union energy policy is developed, the role of European institutions in this process, and how EU directives and regulatory requirements are incorporated into the legislation of individual member states. The programme also included a workshop with representatives of the University of Copenhagen's College of Public Administration, focusing on public governance and the organization of the public sector. During the session, participants explored contemporary approaches to cooperation among government institutions, municipalities, and citizens in implementing climate and energy policies. The Danish model is based not only on regulatory requirements but also on a high level of trust between government and society, which significantly facilitates the implementation of energy efficiency initiatives.
The fourth day proved to be one of the most intensive and informative of the entire visit. The delegation visited the Technical University of Denmark, where participants were introduced to cutting-edge research and educational programmes in the fields of building energy efficiency, district heating systems, solar energy, energy storage, and the digitalization of engineering systems. They also toured the university's laboratories, training facilities, and experimental equipment, gaining first-hand insight into how advanced technologies are applied not only in research but also as an integral part of the educational process.
In the photo: the delegation of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute with certificates of program participants"The visit to the Technical University of Denmark left the strongest impression on me. It was fascinating to see the modern laboratories, the large number of training facilities, and how the educational process is organized. I was particularly impressed by the technologies for storing thermal energy in molten salts. Previously, we had mostly studied these concepts in theory, but here we had the opportunity to see them much closer and gain a better understanding of the future prospects for energy storage systems," shared his impressions student Dmytro Pysarenko.
Later that day, the participants visited Amager Resource Center (ARC), a modern waste-to-energy facility. This became one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip. The students saw how Denmark applies the principles of a circular economy, where household waste is viewed not as a burden but as a valuable resource for generating heat and electricity. ARC demonstrated how advanced technologies can simultaneously address energy, environmental, and social challenges. "The ARC plant made the strongest impression on me. It was fascinating to see how ordinary household waste can be transformed into electricity and heat for the city in practice," said student Kateryna Kononenko. "What I especially liked was that this facility combines advanced technologies, environmental responsibility, and comfort for people, because it is no longer just a factory but an integrated part of the urban environment."
The final day of the visit was dedicated to teamwork and the development of student ideas for a future information campaign aimed at promoting energy efficiency at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Participants worked in teams, discussed their own concepts, shared impressions of the trip, and developed ideas that are planned to be implemented within the university community. For the students, this was a valuable opportunity not only to summarize the experience gained but also to apply their new knowledge in practice by adapting the approaches observed in Denmark to Ukrainian realities. During the final presentations, they shared their vision of how energy efficiency can be promoted among students through modern communication strategies, digital tools, and practical examples inspired by Danish experience.
After the completion of the working part of the programme, the delegation members explored Copenhagen’s urban environment during a canal tour of the city. This provided another opportunity to see how Denmark successfully combines environmental protection, energy, transport, and urban development, and to observe how the philosophy of sustainable development is integrated into all aspects of modern Danish society.
Thanks to the visit, students and faculty members of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute gained a deeper understanding of why Denmark is considered one of the global leaders in energy efficiency. They saw how renewable energy sources, district heating systems, advanced construction technologies, and digital energy management tools are integrated in real-world applications. Moreover, the students were able to explore not only technical solutions but also understand the importance of government policy, legislation, and effective communication with citizens in achieving outstanding results in the field of energy efficiency.
The visit also provided an opportunity to gain a new perspective on how European experience can be adapted to Ukrainian realities, particularly in the context of rebuilding and modernizing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In addition to new knowledge, participants gained valuable practical experience in teamwork, presentation development, and the creation of their own energy efficiency communication initiatives, which they plan to implement at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. In the near future, these new skills and insights will be integrated into the educational process, student projects, and research activities, as well as serve as a foundation for launching an energy efficiency awareness campaign at the university. More broadly, this experience will contribute to the development of a new generation of engineers and energy managers who think innovatively, understand global energy challenges, and are ready to participate in rebuilding and modernizing Ukraine’s energy system.