Use of pumped-storage hydroelectricity to compensate for the inherent and unavoidable variability of wind energy

This study investigates the benefits of using pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) as an intermediary between wind turbines and power grid. The approach includes a simulation model and the development of PSH potential estimation. The system sizing was done based on 1985–2014. Potential sites for PSH plants were identified for two provinces of Northern Poland. According to the proposed mathematical model, a simulation of wind-powered PSH was performed for the year 2015. From the obtained results we find that the proposed power unit is capable of ensuring dispatchable energy generation

Use of pumped-storage hydroelectricity to compensate for the inherent and unavoidable variability of wind energy

This study investigates the benefits of using pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) as an intermediary between wind turbines and power grid. The approach includes a simulation model and the development of PSH potential estimation. The system sizing was done based on 1985–2014. Potential sites for PSH plants were identified for two provinces of Northern Poland. According to the proposed mathematical model, a simulation of wind-powered PSH was performed for the year 2015. From the obtained results we find that the proposed power unit is capable of ensuring dispatchable energy generation

How might residential PV change the energy demand curve in Poland

Photovoltaics (PV) in terms of installed capacity play a minor role in the portfolio of renewable energy sources (RES) in Poland. However current market tendencies indicate that residential PV installations are gaining on popularity and may in future significantly contribute to covering national energy demand. This study investigates the potential impact of numerous residential PV installations on the shape and statistical properties of the polish energy demand curve. Analysis employed statistical data on mean household energy consumption in different districts, typical energy demand patterns and hourly values of irradiation for the year 2012. Obtained results indicate that there is a possibility to integrate in total as much as 300 000 residential PV installations (0.9 GW) from which generated energy will be utilized by households within given district. Further analysis has shown that to some extent increasing number of residential PV decreases the value of energy demand coefficient of variation

The use of photovoltaics and electric vehicles for electricity peak shaving in office buildings

The use of electric vehicles and photovoltaics is perceived as a viable option to reduce the human impact on the natural environment. This paper investigates the opportunity of managing a fleet of EVs along with PV installation in such a manner that shaves the peak load in an office building. The simulation used hourly load data representative for a small office building located in Cracow (Poland). For the same location hourly irradiation data was obtained. A deterministic model was created and implemented in MS Excel software. The study showed that 30 kW installed capacity in photovoltaics can reduce the observed peak load by 36% (from 19.8 kW to 14.52 kW) in a building consuming on an annual basis 54.7 MWh of electricity. Additionally, an appropriate management of the charging process of electric vehicles can increase the energy from photovoltaics self-consumption and level the observed energy demand in normal office building operating hours

Concept of large scale PV-WT-PSH energy sources coupled with the national power system

Intermittent/non-dispatchable energy sources are characterized by a significant variation of their energy yield over time. In majority of cases their role in energy systems is marginalized. However, even in Poland which is strongly dedicated to its hard and brown coal fired power plants, the wind generation in terms of installed capacity starts to play a significant role. This paper briefly introduces a concept of wind (WT) and solar (PV) powered pumped storage hydroelectricity (PSH) which seems to be a viable option for solving the problem of the variable nature of PV and WT generation. Additionally we summarize the results of our so far conducted research on the integration of variable renewable energy sources (VRES) to the energy systems and present conclusions which strictly refer to the prospects of large scale PV-WT-PSH operating as a part of the polish energy system

Materials of Neolithic cultures from site 2 in Zagórze, Małopolskie Voivodeship

The article is devoted to the presentation of pottery and sunken features of Neolithic cultures discovered at site 2 in Zagórze. The rich materials were acquired as a result of large-scale rescue excavations on the A4 motorway on the Wieliczka-Bochnia loess. 67,948 fragments of pottery were excavated, deposited in the fills of 1237 Neolithic features or in the so-called cultural layer. This material has been classified within the Linear Pottery culture (mainly its older Zofipole phase), the Malice culture (classical phase) and the Lengyel culture (Pleszów and Modlnica phase). On the said site, 11 long houses of the Linear Pottery culture and 4 houses of the Malice culture were discovered, while large clay pits, containing numerous ceramic materials, were connected with the Lengyel culture. Different ways of organising the settlement space by the inhabitants of these cultures were established