An immersive journey into the world of alternative energy
Students majoring in G3 ‘Electrical Engineering’ under the programme ‘Energy Audit’ continue to improve their knowledge of the discipline ‘Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources’, combining theory with practice.
On 2 October 2025, students from the ELEA-21 group visited an immersive multifunctional hub operating at the West Ukrainian National University. Such hubs are not only spaces for creativity and interaction, but also laboratories of the future, demonstrating how environmental awareness, innovation, and technology can change the urban environment.
The topic of this practical study, as noted by Olha Zavytii, Associate Professor of the Department of Energy Systems and Business Analytics, was solar energy. In the immersive hub, students had the opportunity to virtually see how solar panels work and their importance for the modern world.
Hub director Nazar Ivanitskyi spoke about the capabilities of the immersive multifunctional hub, explained the rules for using 3D glasses for virtual viewing, and familiarised students with how solar panels work.
A solar power plant (SPP) operates on the basis of the photovoltaic effect, where solar panels convert light into direct current (DC). This current is then fed into an inverter, which transforms it into alternating current (AC) suitable for domestic use. In different types of stations, excess energy can be stored in batteries, fed into the general grid, or used immediately.
Alternative energy sources are particularly important in wartime, as they combine strategic, economic and humanitarian advantages. Solar power plants reduce dependence on a centralised energy system, which could become a target for attacks.
Students had a unique opportunity to learn about how solar panels work and take stress resistance tests at the immersive hub.
