Opening of the ROW 2.0 project
On Friday, March 22nd, Rybnik hosted the inauguration of the ROW 2.0 project, which represents an important step toward the hydrogen future of the city. ROW 2.0 is a project of the City of Rybnik and Silesian University of Technology. Its goal is to transform the Rybnik Coal District into the Rybnik Hydrogen District, which is to be a centre of modern technologies based on sustainable, effective sources of green energy.
On behalf of the Silesian University of Technology, prof. dr hab. Eng. Janusz Kotowicz, Vice-Rector for Cooperation with Civic and Economic Environment and dr hab. Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, prof. SUT, the head of Continuing Education Centre - a branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik, participated in the inaugural event. Among the participants were also Piotr Kuczera, the Mayor of Rybnik, a representative of the Ministry of Industry, Joanna Pauly, Director of the Department of European Funds and Foreign Affairs, and Maciej Nietopiel, President of the Management Board of PAK-PCE Polski Autobus Hydrogen Sp. z o.o
During the event, the Vice-Rector prof. J. Kotowicz presented details of the new SUT project: “Centre for Renewable Energy sources and Hydrogen Technologies in Rybnik” – of which he is the head. In addition, on the Rybnik campus, an agreement on research and scientific cooperation was signed between the Silesian University of Technology, the city of Rybnik and the company PAK-PCE Polski Autobus Hydrogen - a leader in the production of hydrogen powered buses. This agreement aims to explore the operation process and the potential for improvements to hydrogen buses.
Participants of the event had the opportunity to see how the refuelling of a bus at a hydrogen station looks like and then take such a bus to the Silesian University of Technology building on Kosciuszki Street in Rybnik.
In the second part of the meeting, the ROW 2.0 conference was held, which was opened by the Vice-Rector prof. J. Kotowicz. The next part of the conference was led by dr Eng. Aldona Rosner. During the conference, experts discussed various aspects related to hydrogen policy, hydrogen technologies and their importance in the process of decarbonization of the economy.
Other participants were:
- Ewelina Włochy and Lukasz Kosobucki, presentation on the topic "Hydrogen Policy in Rybnik"
- dr hab. Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, prof. SUT, presentation: “Centre for Renewable Energy sources and Hydrogen Technologies in Rybnik”
- Tadeusz Chmielniak, presentation: The importance and Functions of Hydrogen in the decarbonization of the Economy
- Leszek Remiorz, presentation "Hydrogen Technology Laboratory"
- dr Eng. Bartosz Polnik (KOMAG), presentation on the topic "Educational stand for learning the profession of hydrogen electrolysis technician.”
- dr Eng. Katarzyna Janusz Szymańska, presentation on the topic "The use of membranes and membrane technologies for hydrogen separation from gas mixtures"
- dr hab. Eng. Jan Kaczmarczyk, prof. SUT, presentation: "EKO-DOM Energy Laboratory"
- dr hab. Eng. Damian Grzechca, prof. SUT, presentation: "Mobile FV Lab"
The ROW 2.0 project is an important step toward sustainable development of the city of Rybnik, setting new development paths based on green energy and innovative technologies. It combines the scientific community, local government, and private entities - concluded prof. Janusz Kotowicz.
