The Report of the Ministry of Development and Technology on hydroelectric power plants in Poland provides basic information on the current status and development prospects of hydroelectric power plants in our country[3]. The report discusses, among others, the following topics:
• Current status and vision of development of small hydroelectric power plants
• Small hydroelectric power plants as an initiative beneficial to the entire society
• Treating energy produced by small hydroelectric power plants as „green energy”
• Status and needs for changes in legal regulations related to the development of small hydroelectric power plants with respect for the environment
• Energy cooperatives as a chance for the development of small hydroelectric power plants
The Council of Ministers, by resolution of 14 June 2016, adopted the „Assumptions for the development plans of inland waterways in Poland for 2016-2020 with a perspective to 2030”. As stated in the assumptions, the modernization of inland waterways will contribute to obtaining „clean” electricity from Renewable Energy Sources. Small hydroelectric power plants, despite the fact that they generate much less electricity than large ones, are becoming increasingly important in economic life. In mountainous towns, small villages and towns located far from power grids, small hydroelectric power plants are an optimal source of electricity [1]. Excess energy produced can be transferred to the power grid. They do not need too much flowing water and are less harmful to the natural environment. One of such power plants is (presented at a conference in Krakow – Łagiewniki.) „Small Hydroelectric Power Plant” on Pilica near Szczekociny (https://www.salon24.pl/u/henrykpolcik/1089306,male-elektrownie-wodne). Several dozen years ago, a small hydroelectric power plant was built at one of the local mills, which supplied electricity for the exclusive use of the miller. Since 2003, a facility has been operating there, which, in addition to securing its own economic needs, also transfers electricity to the energy system. Maintenance, as well as all works related to the functioning of the infrastructure, is handled by one person living on the premises. The rated power of the generator installed there is 30 kW. This means that (theoretically in ideal conditions), it is able to produce 30 kWh per hour. Depending on many factors, including the water level on the Pilica, the power plant operates at close to maximum power during certain periods, producing about 700 kWh of energy per day. However, such ideal conditions are very rare on the river. There are days when the power plant produces less than 100 kWh of energy per day. There are also facilities based on a completely different model of operation than the standardly perceived production. Pumped-storage power plants enable energy storage [2]. The storage system uses two reservoirs, upper and lower. During energy overproduction, water as a „storage” agent is pumped to the upper reservoir. In the event of a shortage, water from this reservoir is used to produce energy. In conclusion, it is worth asking a question, for example: to what extent can Polish rivers cover our demand for electricity? Participants in the conference on “Waterways of Central and Eastern Europe yesterday, today and tomorrow” sent a motion to the Minister of Infrastructure A. Adamczyk to include in the plans of the Ministry the tasks prepared at this conference, including the construction of hydroelectric power plants.
“Investments in renewable energy generate three times more jobs than investments in polluting fossil fuels. Clean energy and closing the energy access gap are the ticket to growth and prosperity. (António Guterres – UN Secretary General and Board Chair of the UN Global Compact)”
Sources:
1.https://www.turbulent.be/post/do-small-hydropower-plants-provide-continuous-power
2.http://ies.swidnica.pl/elektrownia-szczytowo-pompowa/
3.Raport_Male_elektrownie_wodne_w_Polsce-4.pdf 4.https://www.salon2
4.pl/u/henrykpolcik/1089306,male-elektrownie-wodne
Author: Henryk Połcik