"National and local energy security based on geothermal technologies - renewable energy sources" - This was the motto of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Council of the National Development Council on April 9, 2024. The meeting was held at the Belvedere, and one of the participants in the session was prof. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI.

The highlight of the programme was an address by the Chief National Geologist, prof. Krzysztof Galos, which provided an introduction to the subsequent discussion.

Participants of the Presidential Council for Environment, Energy and Natural Resources of the National Development Council. First from the left - prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of PGI-NRI

Geothermics is a technology of using the Earth's heat to produce energy. It has been used in Poland for more than 100 years. Compared to other renewable energy sources, the use of geothermal energy achieves particular economic and environmental benefits. The geothermal heat plant is stable in operation and provides constant production over time. The investment's interference with the landscape and environment is very limited, making it a “clean” energy source. In addition, there is also the possibility of using mineralised thermal waters for other purposes, for example in balneotherapy and recreation.

Recent decades have seen an intensive increase in the use of the Earth's heat. It is now a valuable source of energy production and an increasingly important element of energy security policy. There are currently eight geothermal heat plants in operation. These centres are located in areas characterised by the most favourable conditions for the occurrence and extraction of thermal waters.

Participants at the meeting agreed that geothermal projects offer many benefits and are socially acceptable. They also have a key role in the decarbonisation of district heating. During the discussion, the use of geothermal sources in district heating systems was discussed in detail using the example of the Municipality of Szaflary.

Meeting of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Council of the National Development Council at the Belvedere

Text: Artur Baranowski