17 Exploitation of Rivers in Poland for Electricity …
343
are examples of proper energy usage at almost whole river length. These are mostly
run-of-river power plants with small reservoirs created as a result of river damming.
They accumulate water and use it in a short time. At this point, special attention
should be paid to the applied technical solutions in the construction of hydropower
plants, which are adapted to the terrain conditions and time of their operation. In
many cases turbines installed in hydropower plants have been working for almost
100 years. An example is the Podgaje power plant with derivation pipe built on
the Gwda River [47]. Old buildings that have remained after closed water facilities
perform various functions, including serving as hotel base, agritourism facilities,
museums and others.
Due to the small head and limited flow of water in SHP, Kaplan turbines are
usually used. In recent years, Archimedes turbines have become more and more
popular due to their simple construction. In power plants with a very small head not
exceeding 1 m, VLH (Very Low Head) turbines can be used, which are similar to
Kaplan’s turbines, but are set at a slight angle and can be built directly into the wall
of the weir damming the water.
17.7 Power Capacity and Electricity Production
in Hydropower Plants in Poland Against
the Background of Renewable Energy Sources
in 2002–2016
The Polish hydropower situation compared to other renewable energy sources in
recent years is best reflected by the total amount of nominal capacity in hydropower
plants, and the amount of electricity generated by them. In the years 2002–2016,
there was a steady increase in the capacity of power plants that use renewable
energy sources. The largest increase was recorded in the power installation in wind
farms (intensive growth since 2010) and power plants based on solid biofuels (since
2012). Since 2011, there has also been an increase in nominal power in solar energy
(Fig. 17.3). The exception is the installation of power in hydropower, the increase of
which in recent years is less than 1%.
Due to numerous investments in renewable energy sources, especially in wind
energy and solar energy, the structure of nominal power in particular types of power
plants has changed over the last 15 years. The dominance of the share of nominal
capacity in hydropower plants was noted in 2002 and constituted 94.8% share in total
power from renewable energy sources (Fig. 17.4), while in 2008 this share amounted
to 60.1% (Fig. 17.5). Since 2009, the share of power in hydropower plants exceeded
50% of the share and was systematically falling. As a result, in 2016 it amounted to
only 12.3% (Fig. 17.6).
The increase in nominal capacity in renewable energy sources translates into the
amount of electricity produced. In total, 166.6 TWh of electricity was produced in
Poland in 2016, of which 22.8 TWh (13.7%) came from renewable energy sources
343
are examples of proper energy usage at almost whole river length. These are mostly
run-of-river power plants with small reservoirs created as a result of river damming.
They accumulate water and use it in a short time. At this point, special attention
should be paid to the applied technical solutions in the construction of hydropower
plants, which are adapted to the terrain conditions and time of their operation. In
many cases turbines installed in hydropower plants have been working for almost
100 years. An example is the Podgaje power plant with derivation pipe built on
the Gwda River [47]. Old buildings that have remained after closed water facilities
perform various functions, including serving as hotel base, agritourism facilities,
museums and others.
Due to the small head and limited flow of water in SHP, Kaplan turbines are
usually used. In recent years, Archimedes turbines have become more and more
popular due to their simple construction. In power plants with a very small head not
exceeding 1 m, VLH (Very Low Head) turbines can be used, which are similar to
Kaplan’s turbines, but are set at a slight angle and can be built directly into the wall
of the weir damming the water.
17.7 Power Capacity and Electricity Production
in Hydropower Plants in Poland Against
the Background of Renewable Energy Sources
in 2002–2016
The Polish hydropower situation compared to other renewable energy sources in
recent years is best reflected by the total amount of nominal capacity in hydropower
plants, and the amount of electricity generated by them. In the years 2002–2016,
there was a steady increase in the capacity of power plants that use renewable
energy sources. The largest increase was recorded in the power installation in wind
farms (intensive growth since 2010) and power plants based on solid biofuels (since
2012). Since 2011, there has also been an increase in nominal power in solar energy
(Fig. 17.3). The exception is the installation of power in hydropower, the increase of
which in recent years is less than 1%.
Due to numerous investments in renewable energy sources, especially in wind
energy and solar energy, the structure of nominal power in particular types of power
plants has changed over the last 15 years. The dominance of the share of nominal
capacity in hydropower plants was noted in 2002 and constituted 94.8% share in total
power from renewable energy sources (Fig. 17.4), while in 2008 this share amounted
to 60.1% (Fig. 17.5). Since 2009, the share of power in hydropower plants exceeded
50% of the share and was systematically falling. As a result, in 2016 it amounted to
only 12.3% (Fig. 17.6).
The increase in nominal capacity in renewable energy sources translates into the
amount of electricity produced. In total, 166.6 TWh of electricity was produced in
Poland in 2016, of which 22.8 TWh (13.7%) came from renewable energy sources