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Efficiency and distributed generation. Solutions to the problems of contemporary energy industry – European Economic Congress

Changes in Poland’s politically determined energy mix will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, which means that renewable energy (including the prosumer energy) will not flourish dramatically. It is difficult to conclude if this peculiar conservatism is a mistake that will turn out to be costly or a voice of common sense with a chance to be victorious eventually.

Nevertheless, the time of coexistence of centralized and distributed energy generation is coming. This will affect the way the energy system functions – as proven by the “Efficiency and distributed generation. Solutions to the problems of contemporary energy industry” debate held during the 2014 European Economic Congress.

Maciej Bukowski, President of WISE, characterized Polish public debate on energy transformation, concerning e.g. the European climate and energy policy, as dominated by denial that dictates, for instance, that Polish mining sector must be the cornerstone of energy security.

I believe that this is a very short-sighted attitude. Firstly, because it underestimates the pace of technological progress in renewable energy technologies. Obviously, this is not a sufficient condition for renewable energy to develop (…) but it cannot be ignored, either. We in Poland are still trying to ignore it, at the same time foregoing opportunities for Polish industry and Polish services sector – Bukowski said.

Bukowski also pointed out that the whole Europe is transforming itself and lowering CO2 emissions. Therefore, if one is looking through the lens of strategic analysis, there is nothing that would prevent CO2 allowance prices to reach several tens of Euros because the entire continent will already have a low-emission economy.

Nobody is going to care about the poor little Poland who missed the train. Interconnectors will be build, suitable directives will be released. In my view Poland’s policy must think of this and refrain from indiscriminately condemning distributed generation, which obviously is a only a partial solution that cannot supply 100% of electricity and heat – Bukowski said.

Full article is available at the European Economic Congress website.

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