Veolia term is carrying out decarbonisation projects in a dozen Polish cities simultaneously, using a mix of technologies: photovoltaics, heat pumps, energy storage, biomass and, as a transitional fuel, natural gas. The company aims to phase out coal within a few years and reach climate neutrality by 2050.
The projects are tailored to local conditions. In Tarnowskie Góry, Veolia built a cogeneration unit with two gas engines (2 MWt each) and a 12 MWt biomass boiler, plus a 0.99 MWe gas-and-biogas generator supplied by the local wastewater treatment plant. – This project shows an optimal fuel mix and creates a synergy between the district heating system and the sewage plant. We now burn biogas that had previously been unused – said Magdalena Bezulska, CEO of Veolia term.
In Leżajsk, Veolia Wschód and Enerbio Eco built a heat pipeline connecting a biogas plant with Veolia’s heating plant. The 0.9 MW installation delivers 10,000 GJ per year, covering 25-30% of the municipal heating system’s needs. The main customer is a housing cooperative. – This is a reference example of how we can work with local partners – Bezulska added.
Three flagship decarbonisation projects
The third key project is Ciepłownia Przyszłości in Lidzbark Warmiński. This zero-emission installation uses high-efficiency heat pumps, photovoltaics, and heat storage systems, including the largest ground heat storage in Poland. All heating for the Astronomów housing estate comes from renewables. The project was supported by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR). – We want to scale elements of this solution to other locations. It is a technology demonstrator whose conclusions we will apply – said Bezulska. The heat prices in Lidzbark Warmiński are approved by the Energy Regulatory Office and are similar to those in neighbouring municipalities.
Waste heat – a growing segment
Veolia also uses waste heat in several industrial partnerships. In Jasło, at the Gamrat plant, heat from air compressors is recovered for hot water and hall heating. In Miasteczko Śląskie, Veolia cooperates with a zinc smelter, burning 6.4 million cubic metres of waste gas from the zinc process to produce heat. In Buk, at the Wavin Polska factory, waste heat from air compressors (up to 80°C) is recovered and fed into a district heating system with a 2.9 MW gas boiler.
A new waste heat project has been announced at the Paroc group plant in Trzemeszno. It will recover heat from industrial furnaces and supply it to the local heating network. – These projects are crucial for improving energy efficiency and are an important direction for our transformation investments – concluded Bezulska.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. WNP.PL
