This year during the International Trade Fair of Environmental Protection POL-ECO SYSTEM, the Polish Geological Institute booth was dominated by the subject of geothermal.
The possibility of using shallow geothermal and thermal waters, which are classified as mineral reserves, for energy and recreational purposes is a widely discussed issue in the country due to the enormous potential of geothermal energy. The Polish Geological Institute (PIB) experts present in Poznan responded to visitors’ questions about the practical use of the Earth’s heat and provided information on the Geothermal4PL project. Support for sustainable development and use of shallow geothermal energy in the areas covered by the Mieszkanie Plus programme in Poland, implemented by PIG-PIB in cooperation with Christian Michelsen Research AS. Information boards and materials on low-temperature geothermal and current projects concerning shallow geothermal and the use of thermal waters were presented at the institute’s booth. A thematic competition, in which beautiful specimens of minerals could be won, was organised as well.
The Polish Geological Institute (PIB) booth at Pol-Eco System trade fair
The Polish Geological Institute (PIB) booth at Pol-Eco System trade fair
The Polish Geological Institute (PIB) booth at Pol-Eco System trade fair
Geothermal4PL project team. From the left: Maciej Kłonowski, PhD (project coordinator), Maja Kowalska, Andrzej Rudnicki
On the first day of the fair, the Ministry of Environment organised a special session, which was divided into three separate discussion panels on the national raw materials policy, legal and environmental aspects of ocean bottom research and geothermal.
The discussion panel devoted to geothermal The Earth’s Heat - geothermal and geothermal physics was attended by the Secretary of State, Chief National Geologist, Government Representative for National Feedstock Policy prof. Mariusz Orion Jędrysek, PhD, prof. IGSMI PAN Beata Kępińska, Vice-President of the Management Board of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management Roman Wójcik, PhD, President of the Management Board of PEC Geotermia Podhalańska Wojciech Ignacok and Mariusz Socha, PhD, from PIG-PIB. The panel was also attended by representatives of PIG-PIB: Deputy Director of the Institute for Geological Service Agnieszka Wójcik, PhD, Kamilla Olejniczak, PhD, Maja Kowalska, Andrzej Rudnicki and Maciej Kłonowski, PhD. Mr Socha presented the activities of the Institute in the field of thermal waters research and Mr Kłonowski discussed international projects on low-temperature geothermal implemented by PIG-PIB. Mr Kłonowski invited everyone interested in low-enthalpy geothermal to the conference entitled “Shallow geothermal energy for the Mieszkanie Plus Programme – Geothermal4PL project closing session”, which would take place on 25 October 2017 during the 7th International Trade Fair and Conferences for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency RENEXPO® Poland at the EXPO XXI Centre at 12/14 Prądzyńskiego Street, Warsaw.
The experts participating in the discussion raised problems related to the use of the Earth’s heat in Poland. Prof. Beata Kępińska from the Polish Academy of Sciences pointed out the high price of geothermal drilling in our country and the need to establish a geothermal investment insurance fund. In prof. Kępińska’s view, it is easier to use geothermal for heating than electricity production due to the geological conditions in Poland. The form the panel, which was open to the public and included experts from various institutions, allowed for the exchange of views and experiences.
Discussion panel “The Earth’s heat – geothermal and geothermal physics” From the left: Secretary of State, Chief National Geologist, Government Representative for National Feedstock Policy prof. Mariusz Orion Jędrysek, PhD, prof. IGSMI PAN Beata Kępińska, Vice-President of the Management Board of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management Roman Wójcik, PhD, Mariusz Socha, PhD, from PIG-PIB and President of the Management Board of PEC Geotermia Podhalańska Wojciech Ignacok
On the second day of the fair, a conference was organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and the Office of Commercial Counsel, entitled “Norwegian Day. Innovative technology from Norway and financial instruments”, which Maciej Kłonowski, PhD, participated in as a coordinator of the Polish-Norwegian Geothermal4PL project co-financed by the Operational Programme PL04 Energy saving and promotion of renewable energy sources of the Norwegian Bilateral Cooperation Fund under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009–2014.
The International Trade Fair of Environmental Protection POL-ECO SYSTEM, one of the most important domestic environmental events, took place between 16 and 19 October 2017 in Poznan. This year, it attracted over 300 exhibitors and thousands of visitors.
Text: Maja Kowalska, Maciej Kłonowski
Photos: Maja Kowalska, Mariusz Socha
