Key insights from the workshop “Energy independence of business in blackout conditions”

The event brought together representatives of various industries, including Victoria Sukhanenko, a member of the ESG department at BDO in Ukraine.

The workshop was focused on the implementation of energy storage systems (ESS) and solar power plants as a means of increasing business energy independence. Experts discussed in detail the advantages, disadvantages and profitability of these technologies for enterprises.

The cases of successful integration of energy storage systems and solar power plants were presented separately. Tetiana Dukhova, the Commercial Director of EcoTech Ukraine, spoke on “Solar power plants: Energy independence of enterprises”, and Oleksandr Alyokhin from Huawei Ukraine spoke about the effectiveness of ESS systems as a source of backup power for business.

The second part of the event was devoted to discussing financing and support programs for the energy efficiency projects. The representatives of banks and government agencies, such as Yurii Katsion (Oschadbank) and Hanna Zamazeyeva (State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving), spoke about lending opportunities and international grants for businesses seeking to improve their energy efficiency.

A special place in the program was devoted to a Q&A session with Andriy Gerus, the Head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Energy and Housing and Communal Services. This dialog allowed the workshop participants to discuss the most pressing issues regarding the country’s energy policy and get answers to pressing problems related to the integration of energy efficient technologies.
 

Sharing experience from BDO in Ukraine and other workshop participants

During the workshop, the part dedicated to the exchange of experience between the participants was especially active. Of particular interest was the decision of BDO in Ukraine to ensure the energy independence of the business and employees in blackout conditions using rechargeable batteries, EcoFlow and powerbanks. It was also important to get acquainted with the experience of other participants in the following issues:

• The use of solar power plants, which allow to receive energy even during the energy crisis, especially in combination with energy storage systems (ESS).
• Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) that protect equipment from sudden power outages and provide time to switch to other power sources.
• Inverter systems that convert direct current from batteries or solar panels into alternating current suitable for powering the equipment.
• Gas turbines, which can be an effective backup source of energy for large enterprises, especially during long blackout periods.
• Energy management systems that optimize energy use and allow for more efficient resource allocation during crises.

The importance of an ESG-focused workshop

The importance of the workshop in terms of ESG (environmental, social and governance) lies in its focus on sustainable business development. The discussion of solar power plants and energy storage systems demonstrates the efforts to reduce emissions and use renewable energy sources, which decreases dependence on traditional resources and promotes environmental responsibility. Energy independence helps businesses to maintain stability during crises, such as blackouts, by preserving jobs and facilitating staff training. At the same time, the dialogue between the business and the government increases transparency of governance and investor confidence. All of this makes the event an important step towards developing a sustainable business that meets ESG requirements and increases the competitiveness of the companies.

This workshop provided a unique opportunity for businesses to share experiences and find solutions to improve energy sustainability in the face of possible energy crises.

Thanks to the active participation of BDO in Ukraine in such events, we can implement the best global technologies and approaches that help our clients ensure the stability and continuity of business processes.
 

Conclusions from BDO in Ukraine

BDO in Ukraine is actively implementing innovative solutions to ensure uninterrupted business operations in the face of energy crises. 

During the war, the company adheres to a flexible and adaptive mode of operation to ensure the continuity of business processes and support of our clients in difficult conditions. Our key approaches are as follows:

• Remote work. We have provided remote work for all employees by implementing modern tools for online communication and collaboration. This allows us to maintain high productivity and speed of processing requests, regardless of the physical location of our employees.
• Continuity of services. Our teams work continuously to provide quality customer service and support critical business processes. All critical functions of the company are provided with the backup systems and contingency plans.
• Data security. We take all necessary measures to protect data and information systems. This includes the use of encrypted communication channels, regular data backups and continuous monitoring of security systems.
• Employee support. We provide support to our employees in the form of psychological assistance, flexible work schedules and opportunities to work remotely from any location. Our goal is to provide comfortable working conditions even in a crisis situation.
• Prompt response. Our team promptly responds to changes in the situation and adjusts work processes in accordance with new challenges and circumstances. We maintain close contact with our clients to address their needs in a timely manner and adapt to new conditions.

What have we done to improve autonomous work in the company?

1. We replaced the old batteries with new ones that allow us to work longer without being connected to the power grid.
2. We purchased laptops that support USB Type-C charging, making the charging process more versatile and efficient.
3. Provided employees with 30,000 mAh power banks with PowerDelivery function. This allows us to keep laptops and other devices running even in the event of a power outage.
4. Purchased special power banks for routers to ensure an uninterrupted Internet connection even during the power outages.

BDO in Ukraine remains committed to its clients and partners, providing high quality of services and reliability even in difficult conditions. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Our experts are ready to provide advice and effective health, safety and environment solutions to ensure that your business meets the highest ISO 45001 labor standards, minimizes risks, improves working conditions and the environment and ensures the smooth operation of your enterprise, in particular in the context of the energy crisis.

We thank the organizers for holding such an important event and invite you to review a brief overview of the workshop and the event report.