Centre of for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies
The Silesian University of Technology branch in Rybnik has officially inaugurated a project concerning the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies, which is being created in Rybnik thanks to the support from the Just Transition Fund (FST). The value of the project is over PLN 27 million.
On Monday, March the 3rd, a conference was held in the branch of the Silesian University of Technology, during which the objectives of the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies were presented. The project was created thanks to the cooperation of a group of scientists from the Silesian University of Technology with the authorities of the city of Rybnik.
“Within the Centre, we want to create a network of laboratories that will develop but also demonstrate new technologies. I hope that on this occasion we will be able to create a network of competences for future staff and some innovative solutions. It is also an opportunity for us to prove that we are an excellent base for companies in Poland and abroad, with whom we will be able to cooperate in the field of supporting the development of modern energy, including hydrogen technologies”. – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
The goal of the project is so important that it received support from the authorities of the Silesian Voivodeship, which will co-finance a project worth a total of 27 million PLN from the Just Transition Fund.
- “There are no better partners to build modern technologies than universities and research institutes. We have human resources, but we lack a base for conducting research, laboratories. Thinking about the energy transformation of the region, we must talk about the development of modern technologies right here in our region, in order to have the ability to go through this difficult process on our own – said Wojciech Saługa, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship. - “When thinking about our energy security, we should focus on our solutions, and not purchase technologies from abroad,” he added.
The choice focused on the development of modern energy technologies, with particular emphasis on photovoltaics and hydrogen, which perfectly fit into the plan of transforming the Rybnik Coal District into the Rybnik Hydrogen District.
- “Silesian University of Technology was at the beginning of the Rybnik Coal District and after 60 years it stands behind the development of the Rybnik Hydrogen District. The goal is one: Energy transition. We are aware that it will not happen overnight, but today we are glad that the vision for the future of ROW (Rybnik Coal District) 2.0, in the form of this project, has received funding and gives hope for the development of the entire region.” – said Piotr Kuczera, President of Rybnik.
Rybnik can already boast of a hydrogen station and hydrogen buses. Recently, the city began to educate staff – the specialization “Hydrogen Technologies” has been launched in the Technical School Complex. Time for the next steps.
As part of the project of The Centre for Renewable Energy sources and Hydrogen Technologies in the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik, four components will be created: Centre of Competence for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies, Hydrogen Technology Laboratory, Eco-House Energy Laboratory and Mobile Laboratory for Diagnostics of Photovoltaic Panels.
The aim of the project is to support research and development of the process of fair transformation in the Silesian Voivodeship, and in particular activities aimed at achieving the European Union’s energy and climate goals.
The newly established laboratories will conduct research on the conditions of production, storage, and industrial use of cheap, zero-emission renewable energy, including “green hydrogen.”
- “Deep economic and energy transformation in particular concerns the Silesian Voivodeship. The launch of modern laboratories, which will allow to train staff in the field of renewable energy sources, is an important step in order to transition this transformation with benefits for the future. Developing innovative industries will allow to maintain or increase the level of GDP, i.e. the economic growth of Poland. This project gives us an opportunity to do so,” added Professor Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.
fot. Jan Szady, Tomasz Stokłosa
