Education and research in the field of renewable sources of energy in the Centre Of Sustainable Development And Energy Savings WGGIOS AGH in Miekinia

Abstract

The Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Savings of the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection of AGH University of Science and Technology in Miekinia conducts research and educational activities in the field of renewable sources of energy, geothermal heat pumps especially. Growing interest in using the renewable energy sources (RES) is reflected upon the interest in such a discipline of studies. Many people declare intention of studying RES. This is a modern discipline, opened at AGH University of Science and Technology in 2003 as the first in Poland. Since 2012, when the Centre was open ca. 8000 people (including students, pupils, local governments and communities) were educated here. Not only geothermal energy is a main focus attention field. In the Centre other renewable sources of energy are also researched. This include solar energy (both photovoltaic and thermal), solid fuel boilers and wind energy. The Centre is heated by heat pumps with ground sources which are simultaneously use by students for practice and measurements. There are didactic heat pumps with temperature and pressure sensors and electric meters to be used by students during measurements. The Centre is in disposal of self-constructed Thermal Response Test device for thermal parameters measurements. In a stand for testing ground-source brine heat pumps for central heating and hot domestic water preparation research are conducted on the COP heat pump efficiency in accordance with the PN-EN 14511 standard. The Centre works on the prototyping of new, innovative heat pumps.

Upgrading a District Heating System by Means of the Integration of Modular Heat Pumps, Geothermal Waters, and PVs for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Energy

“…For the use of heat pumps in the district heating network, two innovative concepts are considered: modularity and the incorporation of high-capacity heat pumps. The concept of modular heat pumps was created for the needs of MPEC S.A. Krakow in the Center for Sustainable Development and Energy Conservation of AGH FGG&EP in Miekinia, where new heat pumps are designed and tested [40].…”

“…According to the statistical data of the Polish Central Statistical Office [7], district heating (DH) supplies heat to ca. 40.4% of all dwellings, mainly in large cities, where it was the dominant heat carrier (58.3%). Additionally, 31.5% of households, i.e., 78.2% of district heating consumers, use water for domestic purposes.…”

Analysis of the Efficiency of a Batch Boiler and Emissions of Harmful Substances during Combustion of Various Types of Wood

“…The tests aimed at determining the physicochemical parameters of the types of wood under analysis were carried out in a laboratory located at the Centre for Sustainable Development and Energy Conservation at the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection of the AGH University of Science and Technology (WGGiO Ś AGH) in Miękinia. In the centre, there are conducted lectures for students and workshops for people interested in the field of use of solid biofuels and low emission causes and also testing and research to reach real data for it [56][57][58]. Its equipment allows accurate determination of energy parameters of solid fuels.…”

An Assessment of the Efficiency and Emissions of a Pellet Boiler Combusting Multiple Pellet Types

“…For a number of years, the Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Saving AGH WGGiOŚ "Miekinia" has conducted lectures for students and workshops for local societies (mainly in the Malopolska region) in the field of ecological utilization of solid fuels, mainly biomass fuels and low emission causes [13][14][15]. In the Centre, research and tests to prepare data for proper education in that field are also prepared [16,17].…”