Olena’s journey into the world of energy auditing began during her academic years. It was at the institute where her fascination with the field ignited. Her professional voyage commenced at Ecological Systems, an esteemed energy service company. Here, she honed her craft in various facets, from conducting meticulous energy audits to evaluating efficiency measures and integrating renewable energy sources. Olena actively contributed to pivotal projects like the USAID Energy Reform of Heating Systems and the World Bank’s Energy Efficiency Transformation of Ukrainian Cities initiatives.
Due to the Russian attack, Olena and her children had to leave Ukraine and flee abroad. She lost her job and home because her home territory is now occupied. The expert faced the problem of unemployment: ‘Before the war, I had constant calls with job offers from condominiums, about 3-4 projects a month, and that was enough, but now all projects are frozen. During the war, I didn’t receive a single call from condominiums. All GIZ projects have also closed.’ Currently, Olena is working on projects to rebuild Ukraine after the war at CAS Rebuild Ukraine at the Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Olena’s commitment to her craft remains unwavering. She navigates through intricate projects with finesse, meticulously scrutinizing details and devising innovative solutions for energy audits. Continual professional development forms the cornerstone of her ethos, as she actively engages in international projects and pursues educational endeavours. Her repertoire boasts accomplishments such as completing the UNIDO Energy Audit of Industrial Enterprises course and participating in the E-ETAP – Energy Efficiency and Energy Audit Training Project in Ukraine.
Advocating for a regional network of energy auditors, Olena underscores the practicality of localised expertise. Eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, she envisions a seamless avenue for consultation within each region. Aspiring energy auditors receive sage advice from Olena: prioritise academic pursuits, cultivate practical skills, and seek mentorship for guidance.
Looking ahead, Olena harbours aspirations of returning to Ukraine to resume her mission of auditing buildings and driving energy efficiency initiatives in condominiums. Her steadfast dedication to her profession and her homeland epitomises resilience in the face of adversity.
