Tadeusz SKOCZKOWSKI, Łukasz BARAN
Model of a sustainable biomass energy production
The discussion that has been recently taking place and concerning the shape of a new energy law referring to renewable energy sources (RES) as well as the situation of investment stagnation in power industry, including the renewable energy industry as well, gives us time to think about the aims of the existing renewable energy generation public support systems. Suggestions of legal solutions concerning RES do not satisfy investors and the time to meet requirements resulting from Directive 2009/28/WE, i.e. the achievement of 15% share of RES energy in final gross energy consumption in the year 2020, marches on inexorably. So justified is asking questions whether the idea to support RES energy in isolation from the real aims of sustainable development policy is still valid and whether there exists a possibility of such defining the RES technology assessment criteria that could objectively enable their sustainability level evaluation. Suggested is construction of a new RES technology sustainability assessment system making use of a newly defined RES energy production evaluation criteria and comprising the whole energy chain as well as a number of additional economic and social processes. Application of such an assessment system for constructing principles and for evaluation of RES public support system effectiveness, should force development of only such RES technologies that fulfill specific requirements of sustainable and effective generation, with reasonable economic costs and positive influence on the environment. Additionally, such a solution enables precise control of a local community development by realization of local, strategic economic and social targets. Also, when constructing such an assessment system, the presented in this article multicriterial RES technology assessment methodology in categories of sustainability and effectiveness is of a key importance.
Keywords: energy generation, biomass, RES support systems
Joachim OTTE, Jarosław DZIUBA, Jan RDUCH, Eugeniusz PRYSOK
Ultraefficient flue gas axial exhaust fans
Described is the construction of new type fans and estimated are energy savings in comparison with the presently used ones. Confirmed by measurements, made by Energopomiar-Gliwice, an ultra high efficiency of JAN-107 flue gas axial exhaust fans can be a good point of reference if it comes to decisions concerning the worn-out fans replacement or modernization. Energy savings resulting from application of JAN-107 fans are increased by using a frequency converter for the control of working parameters. The achieved ultra high efficiency of JAN-107 fans results from the application by designers of modern analysis and flow synthesis methods supported by many years' research experience. Tests conducted in the Laboratorium Wentylatorów Instytutu Maszyn i Urządzeń Energetycznych Politechniki Śląskiej show that the similar high effciency can also be achieved by other types of axial fans e.g. mill fans.
Keywords: thermal power plants, power boiler flue gas exhaust fans, new constructions of fans
Marta KARPIŃSKA, Łukasz DUL
Energy policy directions in Poland and in the EU in the years 2007-2030
An attempt is made to systematize everything we know about energy policy in Poland and in the EU and indicate the most important problems. Observing trends in shaping the above mentioned policy we must emphasize that both, the Polish and the EU ones, head in the same direction adapting only some of the solutions to specific characters of individual countries. For example, Poland has had no nuclear plant so far but is in possession of significant brown and hard coal deposits while Mediterranean countries, exposed to a strong solar radiation, can invest in renevable energy sources like photovoltaics, being not so much dependent on fossile fuels. Attached diagrams show that now the Union depends very much on imported raw materials and mostly on the ones coming from the quite unpredictable now Russian Federation. Taking all this into account we can understand now in what conditions and how the Union Energy Policy is created. Considering provisions of the Energy Act we can only hope that in perspective of the year 2030 the Union will decrease its dependency on the import of energy and when analysing these provisions we can easily come to the conclusion that it is possible. The same says IEA in its prognosis concerning the Union energy mix and other prognoses say about the growing share of renevable energy sources in this mix, either. But, if it comes to Poland, it does not change much the situation as our country is, and for some time will still be, dependent on its coal resources.
Keywords: energy policy, power generation in Poland and in the EU
Artur JASIŃSKI
Durability and material properties of an OP 650 power boiler drum after 210 thousand hours of operation
The proper assessment of a boiler drum technical condition is possible only on the basis of an analysis of a number of tests and calculations and structure research by the replica method is only one of the elements of this analysis. Determination of the real material properties like ductility and brittle fracture resistance is able only by performing a drum destructive testing. Complex diagnostic methodology, being elaborated for years, gives results in the form of the increase of operational reliability and lifetime of boiler drums. Results of testing of a real boiler drum material durability properties after more than 200 thousand hours of operation are presented and compared with technical catalog data.
Keywords: OP 650 power boiler, boiler drum, testing of operational durability and material properties
Jadwiga PINKO, Magdalena KORLACKA
New research aspects and requirements set to turbine oils in the Polish power industry
Presented are problems concerning new classification of lubricants. Described are also requirements as well as the range and methodology of lubricants research. Updating of classification and requirements according to ISO-PN standards obliges a user to carry out some specified research tests. Properties of lubricant oils during operational life are carriers of important informations concerning technical condition of an equipment.
Keywords: turbine oils, new classification, research methodology of lubricant oils
Paweł SOBOTA
Assessment of technical condition of modernized power units low-pressure piping systems.
From ENERGOPOMIAR experience
The results of an assessment of equipment and auxiliaries belonging to power units not undergoing a modernization process provide information that despite relatively low working parameters they can be a threat to the staff in case of an unexpected leakage. So it is important to maintain the equipment and installations in a proper technical condition. The basis for their condition assessment should be elaboration and application of an individual program of tests and analyses. Presented are selected examples from testing and analysing of auxiliary installations, feed water pipings and pipings supplying steam for resuperheating.
Keywords: modernization of power units, low-pressure pipings, technical condition assessment
Marek SZADKOWSKI, Andrzej WARACHIM
Selected aspects of HV and LV substation support insulators selection
Reminded are the most important principles of HV and EHV substation support insulators selection in the aspect of standards being presently in force. Attention is called to the problems connected with selection of composite insulators. To make a choice between the available support insulators for HV and LV substations is not an easy thing now. Apart from the possibility of choosing between ceramic or composite insulators a designer is more and more frequently devoid of support in the form of adequate standards. Every engineer, and so a designer, is obliged to be aware of and apply the so-called approved technical standards, so if some standards are not in force any more it does not mean that the knowledge comprised in them ceased to exist. In other words if there is no evidence that the particular knowledge did not prove useful, there should be no objections to further use it. So in case of troubles with proper selection of substation support insulators when one cannot find an advice in available standards there is always a possibility to search solutions in books, manuals, articles or monitor results of investigations performed by scientific institutions in our country and abroad.
Keywords: substations, support insulators, selection principles
Wiktor HEBDA
Energy strategy of the Republic of Croatia until the year 2020
The energy strategy of the Republic of Croatia is to a large degree determined by energy raw materials resources and the potential of renewable energy. Croatian gas resources satisfy the country's needs in 60%. It is much worse if it comes to oil and coal because their resources are very small. But the country's geographical location enables diversification of strategic raw materials supplies - having an access to the Adriatic Sea Croatia is not so dependent on Russian oil and gas supplies like most Eastern and Central Europe countries. Also Croatian possibilities to use renevable energy sources are significant - for many years Croatia has been using water to generate electricity but recently an interest in other renevable energy sources has also been growing rapidly. In future, the Republic of Croatia will be aiming at consumption reduction of its own strategic raw materials (natural gas), increasing their import at the same time - that is why the development of storage abilities (oil and gas stores) and of transmission systems (gas system) is planned. Accession to the EU enabled Croatia to gain indispensable capital for further investments and modernization of the power sector and especially for the development of utilization of renevable energy sources.
Keywords: the Republic of Croatia, energy resources, energy strategy