Bartłomiej ZAJĄC
Innovation and development - the shortest way to become a technological leader of the market
Presented are examples of innovative technologies implemented in ZRE Katowice during several last years thanks the use of the European Union funds and programs. Discussed are such technologies like regeneration of cast steel elements, modern welding methods (education), development of the part of the company dedicated to pipeline technologies (pipe bends machining technology), turbine rotor overhaul optimization and steam turbine blades laser diagnostic method. As the result of these changes ZRE Katowice became a technology company that can meet all the most difficult requirements in power engineering with its unique technologies, sophisticated equipment and highly-qualified personnel.
Keywords: innovative overhaul technologies, cast steel elements regeneration, pipeline technologies, steam turbine overhauls
Krzysztof DEMBIŃSKI
Intricacies of the water phase diagram – reminiscences
Presented are, against the background of the thermodynamics theory, many informations concerning the role which water and its individual forms play in power engineering. It is referred also to the experience gained by the ZRE Katowice staff during overhaul and investment works realized on many power industry objects.
Keywords: fundamental laws of thermodynamics, the role of water and its individual forms, ZRE Katowice experience
Łukasz KUREK, Piotr MASTELA
Moving and foundation of heavy elements
Presented are technical and constructional solutions applied for heavy loads transportation projects which were undertaken and successfully realized by ZRE Katowice. Shown are also technical and design abilities of the company that are indispensable to meet requirements of such kind of transport.
Keywords: heavyweight construction elements, movement of heavy loads, power plant construction
Mirosław DUDA, Sławomir SKWIERZ
Are we endangered by the electric energy shortfall and when can we expect it?
Presented is an assessment of a situation connected with possible, in a mid- and a long-term perspective, shortages in electric energy supplies resulting from the lack of available capacity in the national energy system. Shown is the load forecast and defined is the optimum cost to meet this requirement with taking into account permanent outage schedules of generation units and the initiated and determined generation investments. In this forecast a number of assumptions were made concerning e.g. the expected fuel prices, CO2 emission allowances, technical and economic parameters of generation sources as well as the energy policy conducted in the EU and in Poland. Described is the set of measures (under realization now as well as the proposed ones) to ensure the electric energy supply security in a mid- and a long-time perspective.
Keywords: electric energy, electric energy supply security, generation adequacy
Piotr ARAK
What kind of intellectual capital is needed in Poland?
Ascertained is that the Polish intellectual capital diagnosis, made almost seven years ago, showed that in many important for our country spheres like graduates’ preparedness for the labour market, quality of the pre-primary education or the public administration efficiency level there is no regular research being conducted. There is also a lack of many indices monitored in other countries and often there are no databases allowing to make a comparative analysis for individual regions or towns in Poland. We have still much to improve as regards research on e.g. life-careers of upper-secondary school and university graduates. An answer to the question in title is very difficult and needs the cooperation between government institutions and business communities and also the capability of looking backwards to see what is going on in developing countries with which Poland is competing economically. With no vision nor data it is impossible to create knowledge-based economics and the answer to the question whether our country will find solutions to key challenges it is facing now like demographic decline, rising costs, deteriorating accessibility to traditional energy sources or rapidly accelerating technological progress depends entirely on our ability to use the intellectual capital of Polish people.
Keywords: intellectual capital, labour markets, conditions of technological progress
Dave HANSON
Using SF6 analysis for condition based maintenance of circuit breakers and gas insulated substations
Described is shortly the history of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) synthesis, first investigations on its industrial applications and the earliest experiments on arc quenching in SF6 atmosphere. The gas was synthesized for the first time in the year 1900 in laboratories of the Paris Faculté de Pharmacie by Mr Mr Moissan and Lebeau. The fluoride, obtained as a result of the electrolysis, reacted with sulphur in a highly exothermic reaction S + 3F2 → SF6 + 262 kcal and this reaction is exactly the one used until now for SF6 production. At present, the SF6 is used in medium voltage breakers, fuse systems, contactors, high and ultra-high voltage circuit breakers, substations and gas insulated transformers. Described are also positive qualities of SF6 like being a good insulating and arc-quenching medium, inert, non-toxic and nonflammable gas and a very good heat carrier. Indicated is at the same time that SF6 turned out to be one of the most powerful greenhouse gases. At present times there are available services supporting electricity utilities in managing installations filled with SF6 by conducting the gas characteristics analyses and diagnosing the installation condition. By the way, the services are very close in character to the ones concerning mineral oil. Thoroughly elaborated research program enables implementation of cost-efficient methods of increasing security and reliablity with simultaneous reduction of SF6 negative impact on the environment.
Keywords: SF6 gas, application of SF6 in power industry, management of SF6 filled installations, research on increasing of security and reliability, reduction of SF6 negative impact on the environment
Karina ATŁAS
Energy bankruptcy. The burnout syndrome
An average Polish employee works 500 hours per year more than a Dutch or a German one. The problem of burnout receives an increasing amount of attention in organizations in various branches of the industry and services. Burnout is commonly and inadequatly used as a basket term for various negative phenomena related to the workplace and which, in fact, have nothing to do with it. In the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD -10) burnout is classified as a serious problem related to difficulties with life managing and is mostly often caused by a prolonged and overloading amount of stress. The style of coping with stress (CISS) plays crucial role in burnout development. The diagnosis of burnout (MBI) is based on the assessment of three dimensions – emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and scoring low on the evaluation of one’s capabilities. The article presents relationships between the burnout and personality, work environment and situational factors and provides also some prevention guidelines.
Keywords: professional burnout, situational factors, prevention