LocationsEnergy independent: Ukrainian company modernizes industry with support from UNDP and GIZ
March 5, 2025
Work is constantly going on in the company's workshops.
In the third year of full-scale war, energy conservation has become a key issue for Ukraine’s economic stability. In this context, energy-efficient technologies play a strategic role by reducing energy losses and ensuring there is a stable supply of heat to residents, businesses and industries.
Ukrainian company Artesia is at the forefront of implementing these technologies. Its engineers develop solutions for enterprises that use steam systems, including thermal power plants. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the German Society for International Cooperation, or GIZ, Artesia has not only adapted to the challenges of war, but also made breakthroughs in its field.
“We work with facilities where steam is the main source of energy,” says Vadym Lebid, the technical director of Artesia. “The steam trap is a key element of such systems, because it drains condensate, preventing steam loss. The problem is that about 10% of these devices fail each year, which can lead to significant energy losses – and accidents.”
In 2018, Artesia set out to develop a device to monitor the serviceability of steam traps. However, financial constraints and the pandemic delayed the project. Everything changed in 2022 when the company joined a training programme organized by UNDP and the GIZ in partnership with the Association of Industrial Automation Enterprises of Ukraine.
Vadym Lebid, the technical director of Artesia, demonstrates how the device is operated.
Bringing innovation to life
The training programme focused on developing skills in grant activities. Artesia’s specialists gained the knowledge they needed to prepare successful applications for innovation funding. This experience, in turn, was crucial in securing a grant that enabled the completion of a device for testing steam traps.
“We’re very grateful to GIZ and UNDP for this opportunity,” said Oleksandr, an associate professor in the Department of Energy Process Automation and an employee of the company. “Thanks to the grant, we were able not only to bring our idea to life, but also to gain invaluable experience that will help us in future developments.”
According to experts, the device developed by Artesia allows steam trap performance to be continuously monitored. This significantly improves system safety and efficiency, as faults can be detected in real time and addressed promptly.
Oleksandr Stepanets, an automation specialist, says that the grant not only allows for the implementation of the idea, but also provides valuable experience.
Impact on economy
Artesia’s innovation has already drawn interest from Ukrainian enterprises, with manufacturers willing to provide sites for testing the device. The solution is of particular interest to thermal power plants and chemical industry facilities, where the stable operation of steam systems is critical.
“We see this project not only as a business opportunity but also as a contribution to Ukraine’s economic sustainability,” says Lebid. “Thanks to the knowledge gained through the GIZ and UNDP programme, we’re ready to scale up our developments.”
Yuriy Rybko, the director of Artesia, frequently visits the company's production facilities.
New level of knowledge
Artesia is a prime example of how the training programme from UNDP and the GIZ has been a catalyst for change at many Ukrainian companies. With support from international partners, the team at Artesia not only brought their ideas to life, but also gained the momentum needed for further development.
Amid the war, as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure faces significant losses, innovations such as Artesia’s are especially critical. By helping to stabilize energy supplies and improve industrial efficiency, they are helping to lay the foundation for Ukraine’s economic recovery.
The material was created as part of the project “Supporting Inclusive Economic Development in Ukraine by Aligning the Export Strategy with Regional Development and the SDGs,” which is funded by the German government and implemented by the GIZ in cooperation with UNDP.
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