In the era of energy transition, the growth of renewable energy sources (RES), including geothermal energy, in the overall energy mix is one of the challenges facing the central government and local governments today.

While the use of thermal energy for heating purposes depends primarily on geological conditions that are not equally favorable throughout the country, the use of energy stored underground, at a depth of 20 to 150-200 meters, is possible virtually anywhere. Whether ground source heat pumps have a chance to supply homes and public facilities with ecological heat on a large scale, and whether they will play an important role in the fight for clean air was discussed on the 14th of October, 2021, in Poznań during a panel organized by the Polish Geological Institute - NRI as part of the POLECO International Trade Fair for Environmental Protection.

Representatives of institutions interested in various aspects of ground source heat pumps market development in Poland and having significant impact on this process were invited to participate in the panel. The debate, which was moderated by Grzegorz Burek - editor-in-chief of GLOBEnergia, Vice President of the Photovoltaic Industry Association - PV Poland, was attended by:

  • Piotr Dziadzio - Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Poland’s Chief Geologist, Government Plenipotentiary for the State Raw Materials Policy
  • Bartłomiej Orzeł - Representative of the Prime Minister for the Clean Air Programme,
  • Artur Michalski - Deputy President of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management,
  • Mateusz Damrat - Director of the Polish Geological Institute - NRI,
  • Jarosław Kotyza - Manager of the Centre for Sustainable Development and Energy Conservation at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Miękinia, Vice-President of the Polish Organization for Development of Heat Pump Technology.

paneliści Ekosfera 2021

Participants of the panel discussion (from the left): Artur Michalski, Bartłomiej Orzeł, Mateusz Damrat, Piotr Dziadzio, Jarosław Kotyza and Grzegorz Burek, the debate moderator

During an hour-long conversation, the most important issues concerning the use of ground source heat pump technology were raised – geological, legal, financial and technological aspects were presented, as well as the cooperation between science and business. The participants discussed the opportunities and threats for the development of this industry.

The following debate theses were posited:

  • With the partial exclusion of large urban agglomerations, the potential for low-temperature geothermal development applies to almost all of Poland.
  • Ground source heat pump technology is one of the optimal solutions to support the energy transition in Poland - it is fast, efficient and stable.
  • The design of borehole heat exchangers should always take into account the geological structure and hydrogeological conditions.
  • Reliable geological information is the basis for effectively designed installation of ground source heat pumps. PGI-NRI, in performing tasks of the Polish Geological Survey, prepares maps of geothermal potential for selected parts of the country and provides necessary geological information.
  • Ground source heat pumps are environmentally safe when installed properly. The issue that may be of concern is the connection of aquifers due to poor installation. Ground source heat pumps are likely to play an important role in the implementation of the "Clean Air" program, which is aimed primarily at individual heating - single-family buildings. As part of the "Clean Air" program, heat pumps in total account for 18% of the equipment for which funds are allocated.
  • The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) together with the Ministry of Climate and Environment are planning to launch programs aimed at replacing local coal-fired boiler houses with ground source heat pumps. The first such pilot project is being developed in Cracow.
  • Investments in ground source heat pumps, being more efficient than air source heat pumps, can count on preferential financing.
  • The development of ground source heat pump technology requires cooperation between the worlds of science and business. Established in 2021 by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Miękinia, the Science-Technology-Business HUB makes it possible to create a new, innovative space for promotion, research and development, as well as the use of heat pump technology, including ground source heat pumps.

debata o geotermii

Debate on ground source heat pumps during the Ekosfera conference as part of International Trade Fair for Environmental Protection in Poznań 

Summing up the panel Minister Piotr Dziadzio added:

I see great potential in the development of ground source heat pump technology in Poland. This technology is a new economic area, while the Hub in Miękinia is an important center that will coordinate these activities for us. The first research projects are centered around the Hub, which will help municipalities and funding institutions to gain reliable knowledge. It is a place where technological and business thought will meld together. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is looking very seriously at financing underground energy sources - this is heat or cold available 7 days 365 days. It is a source of energy that we can use constantly, regardless of the climate change process.

Listen to the transcript of the panel discussion >>

 

Translated by: Tomasz Trzpil

logo nfosigw en sfinansowanie

The panel discussion was organized by the Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute under the task: "National cooperation in the field of geology and promotion of activities of the State Geological Survey in the years 2021 - 2023" and financed from the funds of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.