From coal to hydrogen. In Rybnik, they talked about the future of energy and the region
Power engineering, transformation of the region, hydrogen, new technologies, security, and for the first time also defence and dual-use technologies – these are the topics that were at the centre of the 10th Jubilee International Scientific and Technical Conference “Energy, Environment, Exploitation of Minerals – Management and Sustainable Development”. The three-day event took place from the 14th to 16th September 2026 in the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. The organizer of the conference was the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology Branch CKI Rybnik and the Directorate of the Silesian University of Technology Branch in Rybnik.
The jubilee conference was an opportunity to meet representatives of science, industry, energy, and mining, and to talk about changes facing the region. Although the event has been related to mining and energy issues from the beginning, with each edition its program is becoming wider. This year, for the first time, among the issues discussed during the conference there were defence technology and dual-use issues.
During the inauguration of the event, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Investment of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda, drew attention to the interdisciplinary nature of the event.
- The theme of this conference covers many different issues. With subsequent editions, new issues are added to the program. One of them this year are military technologies and dual-use technologies - said Prof. Paszenda.
The Rector also spoke about the challenges facing the Polish energy industry. He discussed the development of renewable energy sources, but also to the current role of coal in the national energy mix. He also pointed out that the geopolitical situation makes it difficult to predict long-term changes in the energy market.
- In the current situation, it is difficult to say what will happen in five or ten years More and more often we must look not at the distant future, but at what the next months or a year will bring, because the situation is becoming more and more unstable - he said.
As he emphasized, Silesian University of Technology is developing projects related to future energy technologies. The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies will be located in Rybnik. The Silesian University of Technology, as explained by Prof. Paszenda is also preparing new education courses responding to the growing demand for specialists in the field of new technologies.
The significance of the Rybnik centre and the research and development works conducted in it was discussed by the Director of the Silesian University of Technology Branch in Rybnik, Dr Hab. Zygmunt Łukaszczyk, Prof. SUT.
- Today we meet in a place that is a symbol of change - in the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. This is the first element of a large project, the aim of which is to build the energy future of our region and develop the Rybnik Hydrogen District - said Prof. Łukaszczyk.
The growing importance of energy security, the instability of raw materials markets and the dynamically changing geopolitical situation mean that the energy transformation is taking on a new dimension today. As Director Łukaszczyk emphasizes, solutions are needed that will allow to combine security, energy independence, and the development of modern technologies.
- The war in Ukraine has awakened us all, not only in Europe, but also in the world, from lethargy. Tensions in the Middle East show that every small conflict poses a big threat to us but is also a huge challenge. We need rational solutions, the dividend of peace is over, - he said.
Europe, without significant energy resources, must seek new solutions and new challenges.
- That’s why we want to answer the questions: Is our energy system safe and what influences it? How to store energy and where? How to make energy continuous, flexible, cheap, and green? Today we need not only discussion, but above all rational solutions and cooperation. This year’s conference is to allow us to discuss these topics and give an answer to some of the most important issues facing us – said Prof. Łukaszczyk
The Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Energy Marian Zmarzły also spoke about the security of the energy transformation. He pointed to the changing geopolitical situation and the need to take into account its impact on energy security.
- What should this transformation be like? The answer is: “Safe,” especially for the public, - he emphasised.
The direction of the transformation is already determined, but new energy sources must achieve an appropriate level of stability before they can replace current sources.
Minister Zmarzły also drew attention to the social significance of the changes in Silesia. He pointed out that mining and companies cooperating with the industry remain an important place of employment.
- If we want to go through the transformation very safely, we have to make sure that the next generations will want to stay in Silesia, that they will have jobs here, that they will want to create something new for Silesia, - he said.
The energy future was also discussed by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy, Piotr Masłowski. The minister. Who comes from Rybnik, stressed the importance of developing hydrogen technologies in the city.
- Coal will be with us for the next few years As a strategic reserve, it will be important for the future of Poland, but we should think about a new world, about new solutions. That is why I am very happy that Rybnik is a place where we talk about technologies related to hydrogen – he said.
One of the organizers of the conference was Prof. Henryk Badura, a retired employee of the Silesian University of Technology. As he emphasised - although the event is still perceived as a mining conference, its subject matter is much broader.
- Typically mining topics make up about 30% of the conference. The remaining part concerns other areas of industry, and among the new topics there is also defence - said Prof. Badura.
Stefan Czerwiński, the president of the Association of Alumni of the Silesian University of Technology, a branch of CKI Rybnik, also drew attention to the wide range of the event. As he pointed out, one of the main goals of the conference is the integration of the scientific community with the energy and mining industry.
– The conference should also be the place for exchanging experiences and establishing cooperation – said Stefan Czerwiński.
The international character of the event was emphasized by the presence of foreign guests who came, among others, from the United States, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Egypt. Their participation created an additional space for exchanging experiences, presenting different perspectives, and establishing contacts between representatives of science and industry.
The conference was also attended by representatives of companies. Jarosław Dobrowolski from Orlen Termika Silesia in Jastrzębie-Zdrój stressed that the company decided to participate in the conference because of the topics important for the region.
- These are important topics for our region and the ROW, i.e. energy, environmental protection, and new technologies. It is also important for our company to contact the scientific community - he said.
The jubilee conference was also accompanied by the ceremony of giving the name of Doc. Dr. Hab. Eng. Szczepan Wyra to the Lecture Hall in the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. The event was attended by family members and associate professors who talked about his relationship with the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. Giving his name to a Lecture Hall was one of the important and symbolic moments of the conference, providing an opportunity to recall a figure who has become a permanent fixture in the history of the Rybnik academic centre.
The conference was also an opportunity to honour two professors of the Silesian University of Technology who are important to the Rybnk Branch of The Silesian University of Technology. As part of the jubilee celebrations, the 75th anniversary of the birth of Professor Emeritus Barbara Lux and Professor Emeritus Henryk Badura was celebrated. The jubilee became a special moment to express gratitude for their many years of work, their commitment to the development of the centre and their contribution to Rybnik’s academic life.
The conference also included study trips of participants to power and mining plants, companies related to the mining industry, mines, and places of development of post-mining areas in the natural environment.
The 10th Jubilee International Scientific and Technical Conference showed how broadly we should look at the future of Rybnik and the entire region today. Mining, which is the foundation of the industrial identity of this part of the Silesian Voivodeship, still occupies an important place in the program of the event. However, more and more attention is also being paid to new energy sources, hydrogen technologies, methane management, renewable energy sources, defence technologies, and scientific cooperation with industry.
Thus, the conference, which grew out of the tradition of the industrial and mining region, became a space for a wider debate about its future. The conference became a conversation not only about the changes that are already taking place, but also about new technologies, solutions and competences that can play an important role in the coming years. The jubilee edition showed that the experience and achievements of the region can be a starting point for searching for new directions of its development.
