Tetiana Kurbatova

Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractThis study aims to assess a macroeconomic methodological approach for evaluating the impact of investment activity, energy efficiency, energy costs, and renewable energy development on CO₂ emissions in Ukraine, using the model’s insights for a conceptual extrapolation to the residential sector with subsequent policy scaling to the municipal building stock. The methodological basis is a top-down approach using econometric modeling (OLS) for 2002–2021, which represents the pre-war period in Ukraine. All estimations are based on aggregated macroeconomic proxy indicators and not on direct residential or municipal emissions measurement data due to a lack of reliable information. The results demonstrate that macroeconomic energy efficiency is the most powerful driver of decarbonization. An analysis of the residential sector indicates that higher household financial burdens associated with higher utility expenditures are statistically connected with lower CO₂ emissions, which may reflect demand-side adjustments in energy consumption, including price-driven savings. However, other factors, such as energy inefficiency or energy poverty, may also add to this relationship. In contrast, traditional investment activity still contributes to growing carbon footprints, with CO₂ emissions rising by 136 kg per 1% increase in gross capital formation as a share of GDP. At the same time, the estimated coefficients for global oil prices and the share of renewable energy exhibit the expected negative signs, suggesting economically meaningful long-term decarbonization tendencies. However, these relationships do not reach conventional statistical significance and should therefore be interpreted as directional trends rather than statistically confirmed effects.AcknowledgmentsThis paper is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine within the projects “Comprehensive vertically integrated intelligent system for monitoring and regulating energy supply in municipal sector buildings” (No. 0126U000867) and “Drivers and barriers to human capital transformation for a circular and green economy” (No. 0126U001080).

Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractThe study examines regional convergence and divergence in the development of household solar energy in Ukraine during 2016–2022 and explores implications for adaptive energy management and policy coordination. Using β- and σ-convergence models, the analysis investigates whether regional household solar electricity generation demonstrates tendencies toward structural alignment or, conversely, follows autonomous trajectories that indicate the absence of a common attractor. The results reveal a lack of both beta- and sigma-convergence, implying that initial regional conditions exerted little influence on subsequent development and that disparities across regions have persisted or even deepened over time. These findings suggest a divergent and spatially fragmented pattern of solar energy expansion, where regional dynamics are determined not only by differences in economic and institutional capacity but also by disruptions linked to the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The study emphasizes the need for a more adaptive and integrated energy policy that recognizes regional heterogeneity, supports decentralized renewable energy deployment, and strengthens coordination between national and local authorities. Such an approach would enhance the effectiveness of planning and implementation of household renewable energy programs, contributing to a more balanced and resilient low-carbon transition in Ukraine.AcknowledgmentsThe publication was prepared in the framework of the research project “Formation of economic mechanisms to increase energy efficiency and provide sustainable development of renewable energy in Ukraine’s households” (No. 0122U001233), funded by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine.

Type of the article: Research ArticleAbstractThe paper aims to develop and adapt an econometric model for assessing and forecasting the impact of household energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment on reducing energy poverty in Ukraine. Due to the lack of updated statistical data after 2022 caused by the war, the adapted model was tested using pre-war data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and the World Bank for 2002–2021. As access to some pre-war datasets was also restricted for security reasons in Ukraine, proxy indicators were applied, allowing adaptation to limited information conditions. The modeling results showed that a 1,000 USD increase in GDP per capita reduces the share of the population living below the national poverty line and, accordingly, the energy-poor population, by 3%. Conversely, a 1% increase in gross capital formation raises the energy poverty level by 0.5%, indicating no direct impact of investment in physical capital, including expenses on energy-efficiency measures, on household welfare. Household expenditures on utilities and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption were found to be statistically insignificant. The study confirms that household income remains the dominant determinant of energy poverty, while improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy development play supportive but not yet decisive roles. These findings highlight the need to integrate social and energy policies to raise household incomes, improve access to renewable technologies, and promote energy efficiency measures. The developed model offers a tool for enhancing state policies to alleviate energy poverty under wartime constraints and in post-war recovery.AcknowledgmentsThis study was funded by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine within the project “Formation of economic mechanisms to increase energy efficiency and provide sustainable development of renewable energy in Ukraine’s households” (No. 0122U001233).

Introduction. Decentralization of the energy sector is one of the key trends in EU energy policy. This direction could be particularly beneficial for Ukraine, considering the existing war-related risks and the high vulnerability of large-scale energy infrastructure. Energy cooperatives can become one of the elements supporting energy decentralization, while also encouraging direct participation of citizens and communities in strengthening their own energy independence. In this context, renewable energy sources may receive an additional boost for development. Material and Methods. This study applies a combination of general scientific and specialized methods, including analysis, comparison, and synthesis of information, which allowed the identification of key barriers and opportunities for the development of energy cooperatives in Ukraine. A graphic-analytical approach was also used to ensure the validity of the conclusions. The research is based on the regulatory frameworks of both the EU and Ukraine. Results and discussion. The study shows that amid the growing interest in decentralized energy, energy cooperatives in Ukraine hold significant development potential but face a number of barriers. Key challenges include legal uncertainty, lack of financial instruments, distrust of the cooperative model, and low public awareness. At the same time, the availability of technical prerequisites—such as access to renewable energy technologies—along with the need to strengthen energy security and the growing interest of communities in achieving energy independence, create favorable conditions for the expansion of energy cooperative models. Conclusions. Due to the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, Ukraine’s energy system has faced serious challenges. In this context, the development of energy cooperatives becomes an important tool for ensuring greater autonomy and stability in energy supply. For cooperatives to operate effectively, it is necessary to combine legislative support, financial incentives, the application of modern renewable technologies, and citizen involvement in decision-making. The proposed strategy for the development of energy cooperatives in Ukraine envisions the launch of pilot cooperatives in different regions and the creation of conditions for their expansion through participation in European platforms. The development of energy cooperatives can also contribute to more active citizen participation in sustainable development processes and to strengthening national security.

The article offers a methodological framework for the comprehensive assessment of regional convergence and divergence processes in household energy efficiency based on multifactor modeling. The purpose of developing this model is to support the adoption of substantiated managerial decisions that will contribute to the formation of a fair and effective energy transition policy in post-war Ukraine. The model is based on the adapted Cobb-Douglas function, which takes into account a wide range of factors (socio-economic, behavioral, climatic, technical, and others) that directly influence energy consumption levels in the residential sector. The proposed approach enables not only the identification of key determinants of household energy efficiency across different regions but also the detection of common dynamic patterns (attractors) that outline regional development trajectories, considering the potential for convergence as well as the risks of divergence in energy efficiency levels among regions. The practical significance of the model lies in its application for simulating various policy scenarios and corresponding managerial decisions. This facilitates the planning and evaluation of the effectiveness of targeted subsidy programs for energy efficiency measures for households and communal enterprises, the development of comprehensive energy modernization plans for the housing stock, and the assessment of the impact of climate change on energy consumption in the residential sector. Additionally, the model supports substantiating the feasibility of creating educational programs on energy saving and the rational use of resources for households. The results of the simulation analysis within the model have enabled the formulation of scientifically grounded recommendations to improve the efficiency and fairness of resource allocation in the household energy supply sector. This, in turn, will contribute to the adoption of strategically balanced and adaptive decisions at the regional level, ensuring a sustainable and equitable energy transition for Ukraine in the post-war period.

The destruction of Ukraine's power infrastructure due to military actions exacerbates the problem of sustainable household energy supply. Frequent power, gas, and water outages lead to network overloads, rising tariffs, and decreased energy security. The vulnerability of traditional centralized systems highlights the need to explore alternative power supply approaches for the residential sector, particularly through the development of prosumerism, which involves active household participation in energy generation. This paper examines possible energy strategies for seven groups of typical private households utilizing different energy sources, including renewables. Methodological approaches are proposed for selecting economically optimal energy solutions, considering natural and climatic conditions, energy resource prices, the feasibility of using green technologies and energy efficiency measures, as well as state energy policy. Specifically, the potential of solar and wind power plants, battery storage systems, and diesel generators as means of autonomous energy supply for the residential sector is analyzed. The advantages and drawbacks of these technologies are assessed in the context of possible short- and long-term disconnections from the main power grid. The study results indicate that an effective household energy strategy should be based not only on minimizing economic costs but also on increasing energy independence and resilience to crises. Optimal economic decisions must take into account all energy-related home expenditures (including costs for heating, cooking, water heating, lighting, and economic losses caused by power outages) as well as potential revenues (such as savings achieved through self-produced energy consumption and income from selling energy surpluses). Key factors influencing household decision-making include government support, the availability of investment resources, and the implementation of economic mechanisms to stimulate the use of renewable energy sources. The proposed methodological approaches contribute to strengthening the country’s overall energy security and to developing effective models of sustainable energy supply for households.

On-grid hybrid wind–solar systems are one of the best sustainable solutions for developing distributed generation, as they can provide a stable and reliable electricity supply, effectively using the potential of the two most common renewable energy resources. In Ukraine, promoting the development of on-grid hybrid wind–solar power plants takes on particular importance under conditions of electricity shortages caused by the large-scale destruction of the energy infrastructure due to the ongoing hostilities. This article examines the economic efficiency of installing such power plants in the residential sector of Ukraine under different state support schemes. This study was conducted for on-grid hybrid wind–solar systems of various configurations and installed capacities with different equity and debt capital proportions involved in implementing investment projects. This study’s results highlight the economic efficiency of the feed-in tariff compared to the net billing for households investing in such facilities and emphasize the need to improve policy measures to increase their investment attractiveness.