From 23 to 24 April 2026, a representative of Khmelnytskyi National University paid a working visit to Hamburg, Germany. Valerii Martyniuk, Head of the Energy Efficiency Centre at KhNU and Professor of the Department of Automation, Computer-Integrated Technologies and Robotics, took part in the international event “Navigating Polycrisis Together: A Sustainable Development Toolkit for Land, Forests, Energy, and Circular Waste Management.” The event was held at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg).
The visit programme included a series of intensive working meetings and professional discussions. In particular, Professor Valerii Martyniuk met with the renowned scientist Professor Walter Leal, initiator of numerous international environmental projects. The parties discussed prospects for involving Khmelnytskyi National University in new international research consortia.
The visit programme included a series of intensive working meetings and professional discussions. In particular, Professor Valerii Martyniuk met with the renowned scientist Professor Walter Leal, initiator of numerous international environmental projects. The parties discussed prospects for involving Khmelnytskyi National University in new international research consortia.
The official opening of the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and experts from around the world to seek solutions to contemporary global challenges.
On the first day of the forum, Professor Valerii Martyniuk presented Khmelnytskyi National University to the international community. This provided potential partners with an opportunity to become acquainted with the university’s institutional capacity, research schools, and achievements, including its positions in national rankings and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Professor Martyniuk actively participated in panel discussions and engaged with colleagues’ relevant presentations, raising professional questions on energy security and waste management, and sharing the university’s practical experience in sustainable development.
A key highlight of the participation was Professor Martyniuk’s presentation entitled: “Synergy of International Cooperation: Case Studies of Khmelnytskyi National University in Addressing Global Environmental Challenges.” The presentation showcased the university’s international projects, including HORIZON U_CAN, ReGrow, and 3D4U, and introduced the university’s Sustainable Blueprint as an innovative infrastructure for sustainable development.
Particular attention was given to the results of a state-funded research project currently being implemented at the university. The professor presented the development of a smart system for the thermochemical conversion of polymer waste into fuel using solar energy and intelligent control based on Siemens PLC technology.
This development attracted significant interest among international experts as a practical solution to energy independence and environmental security challenges. A distinctive feature of the system is the use of solar-powered pyrolysis for plastic waste, ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic feasibility.
As part of this research direction, Khmelnytskyi National University has also developed a highly efficient autonomous power supply system for the waste-to-fuel processing unit. The development was carried out under research contract No. RH/17 during 2023–2024 with international funding support.
The system incorporates supercapacitors to compensate for peak load currents, as well as an optimised power distribution between photovoltaic modules, a battery system, and supercapacitors. This ensures a stable energy balance and extends the operational lifespan of the equipment.
At the conclusion of his presentation, Professor Valerii Martyniuk called upon the international scientific community to jointly shape the future of sustainable technological development and to collaborate with Khmelnytskyi National University within new European grant programmes.
Participation in events of this level enables Khmelnytskyi National University to strengthen its international standing, establish new partnerships for the implementation of grant projects, and demonstrate the high level of Ukrainian science to the global community.