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Polish Briefing 6 December, 2018 9:00 am   
COMMENTS: Mateusz Gibała

Polish Briefing: A smart city uses intelligence of its residents

What goes on in Poland on the 6th of December.

During the Green European Economic Congress (EEC Green) held parallel to COP24, panels dedicated to the idea of smart cities and innovation in the energy sector took place.

A smart city uses intelligence of its residents

Justyna Glusman, a representative of Warsaw city movements, said that smart city is based on using the intelligence of its residents: – Authorities of such cities are able to develop solutions and use resources together with the inhabitants. A smart city is one where people like to come to. Today, cities have to face the problem of CO2 emissions and air quality. It requires political courage and money – said Glusman.

She added that electromobility would not solve all the city’s problems: – About half a million cars drive to Warsaw every day, three cars per parking space. No matter how much new parking spaces we create, there will always be too few of them. There are too many cars in the centers and this must be limited. We have to develop the public transport, there is unused rail transport potential in Warsaw. The rolling stock is gradually replaced, vehicles fueled with alternative fuels are getting cheaper. During the last election campaign, the problem of public transport took a lot of place. The tram network is being developed, it has been neglected in recent years, but we have ambitious plans for its development – explained Glusman.

“There is no cheaper energy than wind”

Janusz Gajowiecki from the Polish Wind Energy Association said that renewable energy in Poland has been developing for a long time. – The last three years have been very difficult for us. Nevertheless, in July the law that we are satisfied with came into force. New power auctions were held in November. This is key due to the development of renewable energy in Poland. Wind farms on land produce a lot of energy. Today in Poland they work at an average level of about 2,000 hours. Wind energy technology has made a big breakthrough in terms of production efficiency. Wind power has become competitive thanks to this, there is no cheaper way to produce electricity than wind, which has been proven by recent auctions. This creates enormous opportunities for companies investing in our country.

Gajowiecki said that the industry will not refuse public aid for the development of renewable energy in subsequent years. – Europe has set the so-called corporate agreements between manufacturers and business. It is a breakthrough when it comes to providing safe, clean and cheap energy for enterprises. The price stability that we are able to offer helps reduce the risk of energy price increases. We are able to sign a 15-year contract below market energy prices. Renewable energy sources reduce prices because they push out other, more expensive sources from the system, mainly conventional ones – said Gajowiecki. The potential of offshore wind farms on the Polish Baltic estimated at about 16 GW: – The technology is unstoppable. Production costs will go down. Our system is like a steam engine from the 20th century. We are talking about a transformation that has no negative social and economic consequences. It is clear that we will continue to rely on coal for years, if only for reasons of flexibility – he said.