Alternative resources

of energy in Poland

Global warming is a key ecological threat to our civilization .Poland is obligated by European Union directive to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide through use of renewable energy sources.

By 2020, energy from alternative sources must account 15% of final energy consumption in Poland. Now our country established a target of 9%.

SEGMENTS OF RENEWABBLE ENERGY MARKET:

Biomass

It is the most important source of alternative energy in Poland.

It is cheap and currently based on surplases of straw and hay, wooden leftovers ,energy plants and farm waste.

It is used for production of thermal and electrical energy. There are 16 biomass power stations in Poland and the share of biomass energy production in total energy consumption is 1%.

Biogas

Biogas is produced from fermentation process and it can be used both for electrical and thermal energy production and also as fuel and can be transmitted to gas network. Poland can produce 6 bilion m3 of biogas and it can reach 10% of domestic consumption. There are 130 biogas plants in Poland and now they produce 0.1% energy of total energy production.

Biofuels

It is transport fuels produced from organic materials-from oils. In 2012 the share of biofuels in the transport fuel market can reach 7%.

Water energy

Poland is a lowland country where it rains relatively little and on the national scale the economic potential of water energy is used only in 41%.We have over 700 water power stations- some big power plants and in many places are conditions to build small power stations. They give us now 2% of total consumption of energy.

Wind energy

Poland has some of the best wind resources in Central and Eastern Europe. We have the best condition on the coast of the Baltic Sea and in the north-east corner. In 2010 there were over 300 wind power stations but there are many under construction and their amount is growing very rapidly. The share of wind energy is accounted for 0.5% of total domestic consumption of electrical energy .According to plans, wind turbines should generate 2,5% of domestic energy consumption by 2020.

The advantages of such energy are low exploitation costs , no fuels and do not require much space.

Solar energyIt allows to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Poland doesn’t receive equal amount of sun . 80% of total amount is in spring and summer.

The solar installations are mainly installed in difficult access areas or locations far away from power lines. They include navigation systems in the Baltic Sea , installation for drying and ventilating agriculture produce, lighting in individual homes and power supply for warning lights. On the industrial scale, solar energy is practically not used.

Forecast predict, that prices of solar energy may catch up the prices of conventional power stations as early as in 2020.This kind of energy is assumed to provide 30% of energy in 30 years.

This form of energy doesn’t produce any harmful emissions of gases, waste or noise and it can be stored. Solar installations are the most environment friendly technology .

Geothermal energy

Geothermal waters are under the surface of almost 80% of Poland territory but the installations are very expensive and used only in 12%.

"No,Human No Cry „ Comenius Project 2011/2013

Information gathered and edited by Publiczne Gimnazjum in Kuznica Czarnkowska, Poland Created by Klaudia Kamowska