As part of his visit to the Carpathian region, on August 3, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the UGCC, visited the parish of Sts Volodymyr and Olha in Ivano-Frankivsk to see the work of the project on the use of alternative energy sources for heating the church premises.
The project, launched by the Church in cooperation with the Ivano-Frankivsk National University of Oil and Gas (IFNUOG), was implemented several years ago. It involves the use of special equipment that converts materials from the city's sewage system into heat for the premises.
"Today we are witnessing a unique event that crowns a certain cooperation, the first step, a joint project between our Church and the University of Oil and Gas," said Bishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, "an environmentally friendly project. Today, in times of war, providing our people with energy resources is a global task and problem."
According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, a few years ago, they discussed this topic with scientists in Ivano-Frankivsk. At the time, the rector of the University of Oil and Gas told them about a project that was to be implemented and tested in the UGCC church. According to the project, heat from alternative energy sources that are usually lost was to be used.
"We have a truly unique system, a unique invention we can share with others. It also is of an educational character, as it serves as a fine example on the eve of the challenges of a possible energy crisis," the Head of the UGCC emphasized.
"The world's population quadrupled over the last century, and energy consumption increased a hundredfold," emphasizes the former rector of IFNUOG Yevstakhiy Kryzhanivsky. "In general, the countries' level of prosperity is assessed by energy supply. So, our scientists, with the blessing of the Church, are trying to implement projects that would solve this global problem. Today, this extremely complex but effective project yields good results."
According to Ihor Chudyk, Rector of IFNUOG, when the alternative heating system was being installed in the Church of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha, there were some challenges, as the foundation pit suddenly collapsed.
"Thank God, no one was hurt," he says, "and the work was stopped for only half a day. Today we are honored to have an energy-efficient project implemented in this church. It is important that we plan to make it energy-independent by installing solar power generation stations."
During his visit to the parish of Sts Volodymyr and Olha, the Head of the UGCC received symbolic gifts - an icon from the parish priest, a camouflage net, and a painting by Nikita Titov "We Will Stand Together" from the volunteers.
In conclusion, the creators of the project conducted a tour for His Beatitude Sviatoslav and the guests, demonstrating the energy-efficient operation of the TH-100 heat pump.