Short summary/ preview of project:
Many communities have been cut off from the grid following military attacks or are suffering from unstable electricity supply. Essential services such as schools or hospitals, and small and medium-sized businesses face severe electricity shortages, affecting quality of life and holding back the economic activity that will be essential to Ukraine’s recovery.
Despite the war, Ukraine set a goal in 2023 to produce 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. But grid restoration costs are prohibitively high, while diesel generators emit significant levels of CO2 and incur substantial operational expenses. A typical diesel generator produces 159 metric tonnes of CO2 annually and is 2.15 times more carbon-intensive than standard grid electricity.
The solution: AI-powered microgrid energy optimisation for reliable and scalable power
The OMM-Ukraine: Optimised Microgrid project offers sustainable, efficient, and scalable AI-powered clean energy solutions to provide reliable electricity to off-grid communities, enhancing energy resilience and reducing dependency on vulnerable infrastructure.
- Created through a cross-border partnership of entrepreneurs and academics, the OMM-Ukraine: Optimised Microgrid project leverages AI optimisation to enable smart energy balancing and forecasting, significantly improving efficiency, with a functional prototype planned for March 2026 that will provide a modular microgrid specifically designed for Ukrainian needs and be adaptable to different types of users, both rural and urban.
- Its microgrid technology integrates clean energy sources such as solar and wind, as well as battery storage, ensuring reliable and sustainable power for businesses, communities and critical services that enhance economic stability and energy security.
- The system uses AI to optimise electricity access by managing energy use and forecasting demand, working with a custom microgrid controller. It is designed to be modular and scalable so it can be rapidly deployed in both urban and rural settings to address diverse energy needs.
- This technology has already been deployed at a project site in Kenya and has export potential for other micro-grid-friendly regions outside of Ukraine, contributing to a new wave of energy security and innovation for Europe.
Potential impacts
The potential of this project is significant, with the global energy analytics market (which focuses on using data and technology to improve how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed across the globe) projected to grow from $2.0 billion in 2020 to $4.3 billion this year.
OMM’s advanced technology can outperform existing microgrid solutions through its AI-driven smart energy management, non-intrusive load monitoring, and hybrid edge node/cloud data processing. With a commercial prototype at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-6, OMM is also well-positioned for global deployment.
This project could have a significant impact in driving a sustainable, green recovery for Ukraine that benefits the economy and local communities:
- It could contribute to lower fossil fuel dependency, cutting emissions from coal and gas-based power.
- Stable power supply enables small businesses to resume their operations, boosting local economies.
- Reliable electricity ensures uninterrupted remote learning and working, accelerating economic recovery.
- It is also a proven technology that can be expanded across Ukraine and other post-conflict or energy-insecure regions.
- This project has the potential to create new jobs and develop skills of Ukrainians working in innovative energy tech. Through hands-on training in AI, smart systems, and microgrids, local engineers will gain crucial expertise. Empowered by cutting-edge tools, engineers will drive Ukraine’s energy future, building a skilled workforce to rebuild and modernise the country’s power infrastructure.
- The project focuses on developing AI tools for energy management, requiring upskilling in AI and machine learning for the energy sector.
The project team
- Innvotek Limited
- DTEK Grids LLC
- Institute of Electrodynamics of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
- Sicame Ukraine
- University of Hertfordshire
