Meeting of the Silesian-Lesser Poland Hydrogen Valley at the Silesian University of Technology
On Friday, October 4, 2024, in the branch of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik, a meeting of the members of the Silesian-Lesser Poland Hydrogen Valley and invited guests took place. The authorities of the Hydrogen Valley were represented by President Mirosław Skibski and Vice-President Prof. Janusz Kotowicz. The meeting concerned the topic of hydrogen and the activities of the Silesian University of Technology and the city of Rybnik in the field of hydrogen technologies.
Guests were greeted by the Host of the meeting Dr Hab. Zygmunt Łukaszczyk Prof. SUT and representatives of the City of Rybnik - Secretary - Robert Cebula, Head - Ewelina Włoch and President of Public Transport in Rybnik, Lukasz Kosobucki. The meeting was also attended by Senator Piotr Masłowski from Rybnik. Representatives of the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian and Lesser Poland voivodeships were also present.
During the meeting, the equipment of the hydrogen station was presented: The main components of the station were discussed, equipment for hydrogen storage and refuelling were presented, as well as details of technologies used at the station, including systems and monitoring.
The tools and devices that are necessary for the operation of the station were also shown. Safety systems, including emergency procedures and fire protection measures, have also been discussed. People operating and supervising the station shared their observations on the daily work of the station with the participants of the meeting. The procedure for creating a hydrogen station was presented in detail: From the preparation of the spatial plan of the station and the required infrastructure, through the process of obtaining permits for the construction and operation of the station, to details of water connections, electricity, and other media.
One of the highlights of the program was the hydrogen bus ride. The vehicle is discussed in detail, including its construction, hydrogen propulsion technology, range, and energy efficiency. The advantages of using hydrogen buses compared to traditional internal combustion vehicles were discussed.
During the meeting, the hydrogen strategy of the region (Rybnik Hydrogen District), including the strategic objectives of the region in the field of hydrogen infrastructure development and plans for the future related to hydrogen vehicles and stations have also been presented. There are currently 20 hydrogen buses in operation in Rybnik, in the near future their number will increase by another 12. The city presented initiatives and projects supporting the development of hydrogen technologies in the region and information on financial and organizational support for investments in hydrogen infrastructure.
The representatives of the Silesian University of Technology: Prof. Janusz Kotowicz (project manager) and prof Zygmunt Łukaszczyk (deputy project manager) presented the program “Centre for Renewable Energy sources and Hydrogen Technologies,” which was financed under the Just Transition Fund (FST). The competition was announced by the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship as part of the FESL.10 European Funds for Transformation. The project will include the EKO-DOM Energy Laboratory, the Hydrogen Technology Laboratory, the Mobile Laboratory for Photovoltaic Panel Diagnostics and the Competence Centre for Renewable Energy sources and Hydrogen Technologies. They will be built on the campus of the Silesian University of Technology in Rybnik. Cooperation with them is also guaranteed by the City of Rybnik.
Prof. Janusz Kotowicz pointed out that the Silesian University of Technology conducts MBA studies on “Hydrogen Technologies and Energy Transformation,” as well as discusses the introduction of a specialization in hydrogen technologies at full-time studies in Rybnik and Gliwice.
