1. Explanation of the term

“An independent power ring” around Kyiv can be understood as a system of backup decentralized energy supply, reducing the city’s dependence on several large heat-and-power plants and centralized main lines.                                                                                                                               

This is not an integral engineering facility. Rather, it is a concept of creating many local energy “islands” that are capable of providing heat, electricity or backup power for critical areas and facilities.

2. What elements may such a system include?

• Gas cogeneration plants/mini-HPPs: simultaneously producing electricity and heat; best suited for hospitals, pumping stations, residential areas and large state-run facilities.
• Modular boiler houses: quickly deployable to cover the heat deficit of separate neighbourhoods or social infrastructure facilities.
• Diesel or gas generators: a backup source of power, but not as complete long-term replacement for HPPs.
• Thermal accumulators: to accumulate heat and smoothen peak loads.
• Batteries and local microgrids: to maintain emergency operation of critical facilities.
• Heat pumps: to reduce the demand for gas if there is access to a source of low-potential heat and sufficient electrical power.

3. Why is this important for Kyiv?

Kyiv has historically been heavily dependent on large HPPs and main heating networks. In wartime, such facilities present vulnerable targets. If a large HPP or a key main line is damaged, the consequences can immediately affect hundreds of thousands of residents.

This is especially true for Desnyanskyi district, since it greatly depends on HPP6. Therefore, the idea of ​​creating alternative sources of heat and electricity for Troyeschyna and adjacent territories is of practical significance.

4. How could it work in practice?

A working model should look like this: local generators installed near large hospitals, pumping stations, boiler houses, schools, shelters and residential areas. In a normal mode, they can operate as part of the municipal power system, in an emergency mode, they maintain the minimum required level of heat, water and electricity supply.

So, the main task of such a “ring” is not to completely replace HPP5 or HPP6 but to prevent complete collapse of life support in separate areas of Kyiv.

5. What needs to be made clear to turn this idea into a project:

6. Assessment of realism

The idea is correct from the viewpoint of energy security. Kyiv needs not only reconstruction of large HPPs, but also a distributed backup generation system. This model will enhance the city's resilience to missile attacks, incidents and long outages.

At the same time, the term “independent power ring” is more political and communicative than engineeringly accurate. For a professional document, it is better to call it a “distributed backup heat and electricity generation system for Kyiv”, or a “network of district energy islands”.

7. Recommended wording for public use
8. Brief conclusion

This idea may be accurately described as creation of a decentralized energy reserve for Kyiv. If implemented professionally, it can significantly reduce the risk of complete shutdown of heat, water and electricity supply in separate districts during new attacks or incidents.

However, its success depends not on the word “ring”, but on a specific plan: mapping of nodes, capacities, sources of funds, gas supply, connection to networks, and a responsible operator.

https://razumkov.org.ua/komentari/shcho-oznachaie-nezalezhne-energetychne-kiltse-navkolo-kyieva