TAURON and the Silesian University of Technology join forces for energy transformation
On June 22nd a meeting of representatives of the Silesian University of Technology and the Tauron Group was held in the Senate Hall of the Silesian University of Technology, during which a letter of intent on cooperation between the parties was signed.
On behalf of our University, the following representatives of the Rector's Authorities took part in the meeting: His Magnificence Rector prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, Vice-Rector for Cooperation with the Civic and Economic Environment prof. Janusz Kotowicz, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz and representatives of the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering. The Dean of the Faculty - prof. Mariusz Dudziak, dr Eng. Grzegorz Peczkis, prof. Łukasz Bartela and dr Eng. Dorota Homa. On behalf of Tauron, the meeting was attended by: Paweł Szczeszek - President of the Management Board of TAURON Polska Energia SA, Patryk Demski - Vice President of the Management Board of TAURON Polska Energia for Strategy and Development, Małgorzata Dec-Kruczkowska - Executive Director for Transformation and Development and Aleksander Kolmas - Manager of the Development Projects Team.
The purpose of the initiated cooperation between the SUT and the TAURON group is to increase innovation and technological development in the energy sector and to increase the level of Poland's energy security. The signed Letter of Intent opens up opportunities for in-depth cooperation for a just energy transition. An important area of joint activities will also be research on the application and development of hydrogen technologies and the commercialization of innovations using the acceleration program of the TAURON Group and Venture Capital funds in which the Group is involved. The main areas of cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology and the TAURON Group will be the development of energy storage technologies with the use of mining infrastructure and research on the application and development of hydrogen technologies The parties initiated cooperation on energy transformation projects.
- By signing an agreement with one of the largest players in the energy sector, the Silesian University of Technology is implementing another point in the university's development strategy until 2026. With this letter, we express our common intention of permanent, active participation in environmental protection activities carried out in the industry and economy. We also want to co-create solutions and technologies that will enable ecological energy management at the level of individual households. The university has been cooperating with TAURON Polska Energia SA for years Now we are tightening cooperation, because this will enable us to take further joint actions to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals - for the Silesian University of Technology, in particular, it is goal XII - Responsible production and consumption. Cooperation with Tauron means many benefits from the point of view of science and research, but also the education and development of our students and young scientists. Apprenticeships, internships, joint projects and developing the most needed competences in the energy sector of the future - these are also the benefits of cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology and TAURON Polska Energia SA - says the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk
- The cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology, initiated today, covers the key technologies for the success of the transformation of the Polish energy sector. We plan to jointly develop projects related to nuclear energy or hydrogen energy storage. In the future, these technologies will help stabilize the entire energy system in view of the dynamic development of RES (Renewable Energy Sources)- explained Paweł Szczeszek, President of the TAURON Group. - We count on fruitful cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology, one of the best technical universities in Poland, which is a mine of talents and competences from which we can draw specialist knowledge - added Vice-President Demski.
During the meeting, Vice-Rector Prof. J. Kotowicz emphasized that the University in its activities wants to refer to the role of Silesia in the energy and fuel sector, and strives to play a leading role, also in the development of new advanced energy technologies, including hydrogen technologies. Many activities are being undertaken in this regard. Among others, it is participation of the University in the Silesian-Lesser Poland Hydrogen Valley, participation in the work on the creation of the National Centre for Research and Implementation of Renewable Energy (PolRES Living Lab). The Silesian University of Technology also implements many NCRD, NCN and European projects within these topics. There is also cooperation with the cities of the region as part of hydrogen technologies, the role of Tauron here is huge in terms of perspective.
In turn, the Vice-Rector prof. W. Szkliniarz discussed education at the Silesian University of Technology in the field of energy. Currently, 11 employees of the Tauron Group are pursuing doctoral studies at the Silesian University of Technology. The first of the doctoral students has already defended his doctoral dissertation at the Silesian University of Technology and received an academic title. The defended doctoral thesis concerned increasing the reliability of equipment operation and their productivity at “Tauron Wytwarzanie” through the use of analytical prediction.
