CONCEPT OF ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF INNOVATION HUB AS A CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Project goal: to improve Ukraine’s institutional capacity and realize its innovation potential by improving the quality and competitiveness of higher, vocational pre-university and vocational education and building Ukraine’s innovation infrastructure.
General objective 1. Development of innovation networks and associative structures to improve the quality of human potential in the region.
General objective 2. Integration between educational institutions, research institutions, enterprises and government agencies for the effective realization of the region’s innovation potential.
General objective 3. Improvement of the innovation culture by popularizing scientific, inventive and innovative activities, as well as creating an integrated education system with due regard for the necessary personnel support for innovation.
The idea behind the project is that in order to solve the problem of economic growth, the state should create conditions for the development of an innovative economy. The determining criteria for this will be intellectual resources and business initiative, which actually determine the human potential for innovative development of a particular territory.
Companies that have recently been established or are in the process of being established face the issue of finding and using new sources of economic growth. In an innovative economy, the determining basis for their formation is the efficiency of human potential and the innovative environment surrounding them. When these two factors are combined, economic growth can be achieved through the creation and commercialization of new technologies and developments. This highlights the need to develop appropriate infrastructure to support innovative entrepreneurship in the country.
Therefore, in the course of the project implementation, it is proposed to create a new coordinating innovation structure/innovation hub, which, in the absence of an appropriate state level of innovation management in the regions, will take on the role of integrator and coordinator of innovation development on the basis of higher, professional pre-university and vocational (vocational-technical) education institutions in Ukraine. The main activities of the Hub are:
- Institutional development of the national system of innovation and innovation infrastructure in the regions of the country.
- Improvement of the innovation culture by popularizing scientific, inventive and innovative activities, as well as the creation of an integrated education system, taking into account the necessary personnel support for innovation.
- Development of scientific and innovative cooperation between the state and non-state sectors of science, higher education and research institutions with the real economy through the involvement of industrialists/entrepreneurs in the introduction of new technologies and innovations.
- Development of social partnership and social responsibility of all subjects of innovation activity in the regions in the context of ensuring the development of intellectual potential and accumulation of human capital by providing support and development of intellectual and creative potential.
It is worth noting that innovation hubs or knowledge centers are the “engine” of innovation development, as they ensure the development and coordination of innovation infrastructure, forming horizontal and vertical links between innovation actors.
The experience of developed countries shows that such innovative structures create favorable conditions for the effective operation and development of small innovative enterprises that implement original scientific and technical ideas by providing them with temporary use of production facilities, material and technical resources, information networks, research instruments and equipment, and consulting assistance on a wide range of scientific, technological, economic and legal issues.
However, it is impossible to solve this problem without high-quality education and effective training of innovators who are able not only to produce ideas that have both scientific and market novelty, but also to implement them in the realities of a modern competitive market economy. That is why the project “Innovation Hub as a Center for Development and Transfer of Innovative Technologies” is aimed at activities in the field of scientific and educational support, development and transfer of innovations, relying on the realization of the creative, research and entrepreneurial potential of the human capital available in the region.
*The proposed thematic areas of the hub’s activities are attached.
*The scheme of the general plan of the facility together with technical and economic indicators – developed for further use and development, visualized drawings from this scheme are attached to the concept.
CENTER FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES
Potential areas of activity:
- Energy efficiency of businesses.
- Energy audit of buildings and structures.
- Energy service.
- Renewable Energy.
- Implementation of Smart Grid technologies in energy supply.
- Energy expertise of energy efficiency programs of communities, institutions and enterprises. Energy audit of buildings, structures, equipment of generation facilities.
- Development of models for the modernization of energy facilities and networks using alternative types of energy (biogas, solar and wind energy, heat pumps).
- Development of projects for modernization of heat generation equipment in communities.
- Energy studies of raw materials for biogas production.
Energy-efficient pilot plant for heating a building
TYPICAL CONNECTION DIAGRAM OF THE HEAT ACCUMULATOR AND WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM “VIGO”
Energy-efficient project for the Innovation Hub / Innovation Institute building (based on a space heating plant based on wind energy, solar energy, a solid fuel boiler and a heat pump can be a very efficient and sustainable solution for energy-efficient heating of any premises.
Project objective: To create an efficient and climate-resilient pilot space heating plant that uses renewable energy sources and reduces dependence on traditional energy sources. The system will be based on a wind turbine that will provide energy when the wind is available. The plant will also include a solar panel that will provide energy in the presence of sunlight, as well as a solid fuel boiler and a heat pump that will be used to provide additional heat in the premises if necessary. In the long term absence of natural energy sources, the previously produced energy is converted into heat and then stored in a heat accumulator.
Advantages of the installation: The installation has several advantages over traditional heating systems, including:
- The use of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on traditional energy sources and helps to reduce emissions into the atmosphere.
- Efficient use of renewable energy sources provides significant savings on energy consumption.
- The plant is resistant to climate change and provides reliable and constant access to energy. In addition, it can be installed in any region where there is sufficient wind and sunlight.
- The installation will also be equipped with an automatic controller that will regulate the operation of each element of the heating system, ensuring maximum efficiency and energy savings.
- In addition, it can be used as an additional source of energy for automated cooling and heating systems. The system can also be used to provide energy during power outages.
- Advantages of the plant: The system has several advantages over other heating and energy supply systems:
- Reliability: The system has a long service life and does not require frequent maintenance.
- Energy efficiency: The system can provide energy-efficient heating of premises, which reduces heating costs.
- Environmental friendliness: The system uses renewable energy sources and does not pollute the environment.
- Autonomy: The system can operate autonomously from the power grid and gas supply.
- Flexibility: The installation can be adapted to any customer’s needs and can be expanded as needed.
Conclusion: A space heating system based on wind, solar and solid fuel boiler and heat pump is a reliable and energy-efficient solution for providing heat in industry and households. It can be adapted to any customer’s needs and provides reliable and constant access to energy. The total cost of the project may vary depending on the customer’s needs, but it usually consists of various elements, such as the manufacture and installation of a vertical generator, solar collector, solar panel, solid fuel boiler, heat storage, heat pump, installation work and additional materials.
To manufacture the system, specialists with the appropriate skills and experience are required to ensure the quality and reliability of all components of the system. It is also worth considering that setting up and adjusting the plant may take some time and require additional efforts.
In addition, a potential investor can be presented with a detailed business plan that describes all the costs of manufacturing and installing the plant, the expected income from its operation, risks and opportunities for project development and expansion. It is also worth considering the possibility of obtaining government support and subsidies to support renewable energy.
In general, a space heating system based on a wind turbine, solar energy, and a solid fuel boiler is an efficient and reliable solution for providing energy-efficient heating in any room. It can provide reliable and stable access to energy and help reduce heating and energy costs.
CENTER “IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIMATE-NEUTRAL INNOVATIONS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR”
Adaptation to climate change is a cross-cutting task in ensuring environmental safety and rational use of natural resources at all levels of socio-economic development.
It is critically important to strengthen the climate neutrality of natural resources management and enhance Ukraine’s environmental security by introducing a system of climate-neutral innovations in agricultural natural resources management in the context of ensuring Ukraine’s environmental and energy security.
The solution to this issue involves the application of measures to reduce anthropogenic pressure and environmental protection on the basis of a closed economic cycle.
Efficient use of marginal lands, production and transition to recycling of agro-resources is both a way to neutralize the negative impact on the climate (growing photosynthetic plants) and an alternative source of energy (fuel).
Therefore, to ensure environmental and energy national security on the basis of climate-neutral development, adaptive optimization of the management of natural agricultural (bio-) resources is necessary.
The Center’s activities are aimed at implementing the European Green Deal in the agricultural sector and rural communities of Ukraine.
The objective of the center’s activities is climate adaptation of the agricultural sector of the economy through the involvement of agricultural production to solve the problems of transition to a carbon-neutral future.
- The introduction of climate-neutral innovations to ensure the principles of a closed-loop economy in agricultural environmental management is quite relevant. In particular, the development and implementation of low-carbon agricultural production technologies, cultivation of energy renewable plant resources, which are specifically used not only as more intensive consumers of carbon dioxide and oxygen producers, but also for the production of carbon-neutral materials, raw materials for bioplastics and biofuels.
- Implementation of an innovative approach to climate adaptation planning in the agricultural sector of the economy: To ensure the food, environmental and energy security of the state on the basis of climate-neutral development, adaptive optimization of the management of natural agricultural resources is necessary. First of all, an agro-resource can become a much more efficient consumer of carbon dioxide and producer of oxygen than a forest, thereby neutralizing the negative impact of other economic factors on the climate. Secondly, the transition to agro-resource recycling is both a way to optimize environmental management and an alternative source of energy. In this context, agro-raw materials are a type of biomass needed for the production of biofuels, green electricity, and organic fertilizers.
The project will result in the introduction of European experience in innovative climate-neutral technologies into the agricultural sector of the economy. This will allow not only to ensure the transition to low-carbon agricultural production, but also to propose the applied development of a climate-neutral model of regional management of plant bioresources (agricultural raw materials) based on a closed cycle of interaction between agricultural enterprises and producers of green energy and organic fertilizers.
The project implementers will develop a regional strategy for the transition to low-carbon agricultural production and an operational action plan for its implementation, which will summarize ideas and working hypotheses related to improving the management system of enterprises producing agricultural raw materials, biofuels, and green energy on the basis of strengthening environmental and climate security.
Based on the results of the project implementation, appropriate changes in the economic activities of agricultural bioresources and green energy producers will be proposed.
The development and implementation of a national roadmap for the implementation of the European Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change will be aimed at ensuring the principles of a closed-loop economy and rational agricultural environmental management with the corresponding compensatory effect of the negative impact of climate change. This will also minimize threats to: agriculture – primarily, a decrease in agricultural productivity; biodiversity conservation – in particular, the loss of ecosystem resilience; and public health – by improving the quality of life.
In view of this, training, consulting and educational activities among representatives of agricultural enterprises vulnerable to environmental change, households, and local governments aimed at implementing innovative solutions for climate security in agricultural production are valuable. Of particular importance is the creation of a climate-friendly cluster for the development of regional partnerships between agricultural enterprises (organic and low-carbon farming), food industry, trade and catering. These issues will be addressed by the Center for Climate Neutral Innovations in the Agricultural Sector.
INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF EMERGENCIES, HOSTILITIES AND TERRORIST ACTS WITH DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR TECHNICAL CONDITION
In the context of hostilities and the subsequent post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, it is important to monitor the technical condition of buildings, structures and infrastructure facilities and the safety of their operation.
It is proposed to create an innovative center for technical and engineering control and examination of buildings, structures and infrastructure facilities on the basis of the WUNU Innovation Hub.
An engineering inspection and assessment of the technical condition of buildings, structures and infrastructure facilities determines the reliability of the structures, the degree of structural deterioration and the possibility of using the facilities for their intended purpose in the future. The report on the technical inspection of the building indicates the identified structural deficiencies and ways to eliminate them.
Technical inspection of buildings and structures allows to determine not only the current condition, but also the prospects for their further operation and the possibility of reconstruction or restoration. Such an expert assessment reveals existing defects and possible structural damage that could lead to an emergency, as well as complete or partial destruction of the facilities. Along with the inspection of the technical condition of buildings and structures, the engineering networks and the areas surrounding the facilities may be inspected.
It is proposed to use the following innovative methods on the basis of which the technical inspection is carried out, which are divided into 2 groups:
- non-destructive;
- those that partially destroy the body of the structure.
Based on these studies, a technical condition certificate is filled out, which is required for any building.
The main methods used to inspect buildings are:
- Our specialists, who are certified as experts in this field, use it at the initial stage to identify any visible deficiencies.
- It reveals invisible flaws in materials and structures, and controls the thickness of metal structures. Thus, during the inspection of buildings and structures, our specialists will be able to control the quality of welded joints.
- This type of inspection is used to control the parts in the manufacture of which conductive materials were used.
- It is used by our specialists to determine the structure, thickness and invisible flaws in the foundation. The Innovative Center for Technical and Engineering Control and Expertise, while conducting a technical inspection of the facility, will also be able to provide all the characteristics of the soils in the area of the facility location with a check for the possibility of landslides.
- Our specialists conduct this inspection of the technical condition to determine the density of concrete, stone and bulk materials.
- It is used to determine the moisture content of building materials and control their porosity.
- Detachment with chipping. We use it when conducting a technical inspection to determine how strong the concrete in the structure is.
- With its help, we can establish the air permeability of the object of study.
- Thermal imaging. Experts use it to determine the level of thermal protection when inspecting buildings and structures. Thus, we conduct a study of heating systems, as a result of which areas where the electrical wiring is overheating are identified.
- Leveling, photogrammetry, theodolite survey. We can conduct a survey of the building to identify its volumetric deformation, as well as possible foundation subsidence.
After examining the condition of the facility, WUNU specialists provide a report on the technical condition of the building. This document, on the basis of which the mandatory certification of the building is carried out, meets the requirements of state supervisory authorities. The report on the technical condition will be performed at a professional level, after which a passport of the object will be drawn up.
The objective of the WUNU Innovation Center for Technical and Engineering Control and Expertise is to provide the customer with reliable data on the condition of the facility, identify possible deficiencies in buildings and structures, infrastructure facilities damaged as a result of emergencies, hostilities and terrorist acts, and provide recommendations for further safe operation of the object of study.
INNOVATION CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY OF FOOD TECHNOLOGIES
It is proposed to create an innovation center for food security and quality of food technologies on the basis of the WUNU Innovation Hub. Today, Ukraine faces a real problem of providing the population with quality and safe food. Lack of drinking water, air, soil, and water pollution, improper waste management, combined with the lack of prerequisites for improving the situation, pose a possible threat to the country’s food security. In addition, Ukraine is actively implementing a new model of the European food safety and quality system. It is based on the “farm to table” principle, which provides for the safety and quality of all stages of food production, as well as the use of the international HACCP product quality system aimed at identifying hazards and controlling “critical points” in food production. Without the requirements of strict compliance by personnel with the procedures established by the above program and proper laboratory control, business entities will not be able to properly implement their policy in the market of services for the circulation of agricultural raw materials and food products. In addition to domestic production and consumption of food products, the country’s huge export food potential is also important. The proper environmental factors in which the above-mentioned production is carried out are also important in the safety system. This can be controlled by a food quality laboratory. Taking into account the requirements of today, the sustainable development of agriculture and the processing industry, the interest of business participants in conducting research, the inadequate current state of development of the laboratory network in Ukraine, in particular in its western regions, we propose to create a food security center on the basis of the WUNU innovation hub and open a laboratory of food technology and food quality. Along with conducting laboratory research and testing, the structure should cover several areas of activity related to food circulation, including student training and professional development.
Among them, one of the main ones is the preservation of short-term agricultural products, not only in terms of quantity but also quality. After all, it is the preservation of all nutrients and biologically active substances, including vitamins, that guarantees us high quality raw materials.
- We propose to develop and improve the technology of shock freezing. This method makes it possible to preserve the nutritional and nutritive value of the products as much as possible. However, the use of this method has significant drawbacks, one of which is the need to maintain a continuous cold chain from producer to consumer, which somewhat limits the use and sale of frozen products.
- Another modern method of storing agricultural products is the technology of sublimation (lyophilization) of agricultural raw materials. We propose to test and implement sublimation technologies, which requires additional experimental research and improvement. It is important to determine the technological characteristics of the equipment and process modes (drying temperature, vacuum level), energy efficiency, compliance with sanitation and hygiene requirements, additional storage facilities, and transportation capabilities.
- The laboratory will enable us to conduct research to improve the quality of the freeze-drying process, the quality of finished products, the energy efficiency of this technological process, and to expand the range of freeze-dried foods using raw materials produced in Ukraine. Dehydrated agricultural products, using freeze-drying technology, almost completely retain their original nutritional and nutritional value. Finished freeze-dried products have prospects for sale, as they are actively used to feed military personnel, travelers, and tourists.
- Also, the active use of this laboratory will improve cooperation with manufacturers and allow students to master the theoretical knowledge gained in the educational process by putting it into practice.
Social and environmental projects to monitor residual amounts of harmful substances in the air, water, soil, etc. could also become an important and relevant area. Competitive and indisputable advantages should include appropriate accreditation, qualified personnel, modern certified equipment, and recognized methods that will provide reliable results on food safety and food quality. Confidentiality of information, affordable rates, and, if necessary, highly qualified advice and consultations on the organization of a food quality production system will allow the center to organize consulting activities. This project will be of interest to local governments, business entities engaged in primary production, processing and sale of food products, in particular, agricultural enterprises and processing companies, agri-food markets, catering establishments, enterprises with harmful production factors, and end consumers of food products.