The XIII Scientific and Technical Conference on Environmental Protection in Power Generation and Heat Engineering took place in Katowice on 19-20 February 2018.
The conference began with a introducing presentation "Environmental protection in power generation industry - challenges and chance for development" prepared by TGPE. The session also touched upon the topics of new eco-technologies, the winter package, emissions trading and the power market.
One of the most interesting debates on the first day of the conference was the debate "Ecology - will it change the Polish power generation industry very much?", moderated by Herbert Leopold Gabryś, Chairman of the Committee for Energy and Climate Policy at the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Marian Babiuch, President of the Board of the Polish Society of Combined Heat and Power Plants, Blanka Romanowska, Environmental Planning Department, Marshal's Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, Paweł Silbert, President of the City of Jaworzno, Waldemar Szulc, Director of the Society of Polish Power Plants, Kazimierz Szynol, President of the Board of TAURON Wytwarzanie, Daniel Wolny, Energy Management Section, Environmental Development Department, Katowice City Hall and Piotr Woźny, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Enterprise and Technology took part in the discussion. The debate raised issues of smog in cities, low emissions, the necessity of abandonment of coal. The discussion also focused on the development of modern technologies, energy storage and electromobility.
The culmination of the first day of the conference was the presentation of the Key of Success, which this time went to Jan Kurp, for his contribution to the development of the Polish power industry. The Director of the Investment Department of PGE GiEK SA - Marek Wdowiak was also distinguished. The second day of the conference consists of two panels: Innovative programs in power generation industry - how are environmental projects supported?, conducted by prof. Tadeusz Chmielniak and the Latest technological solutions – what for heat engineering?, conducted by prof. Krzysztof Badyda. The second day ended with a discussion: Environmental regulations and reality, moderated by Stanisław Tokarski. Łukasz Grela, President of the Board, Mieczysław Kobylarz, Enea Elektrownia Połaniec, prof. Janusz Lewandowski, Warsaw University of Technology, Małgorzata Mika-Bryska, Public and Regulatory Director of Veolia Energy Polska S.A., Wiesław Różacki, Executive Director of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems GmbH, Jarosław Zuwała, Deputy Director for Research and Development, Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal took part in the discussion. The participants discussed the BAT conclusions, the MCP directive, new environmental requirements as well as the emission management in relation to the Polish power generation industry based on coal.
