Agenda
40th EuroPOWER; OZE POWER Energy Conference
ENERGY – SOCIETY – ECONOMY
Day I, 7th November 2024
9:00 – 9:10 Opening of the conference
9:10 – 9:20 Introduction – speech by the Chairman of the Program Council
- Leszek Juchniewicz, President of Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (Polish Nuclear Power Plants), Chairman of the Program Council of EuroPOWER & OZE POWER
9:20 – 10:00 Presentation by Government Representative
- Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digitalisation
10:00 – 10:15 Keynote Speech
- Poland’s demographic situation – a diagnosis of the state, the processes we face and the future of human resources in the energy industry
INAUGURAL BLOCK
10:15 – 11:15 part 1 – Energy transformation – Electrical Power Engineering
Energy transition is one of the most critical challenges facing Poland in the coming decades. In the face of global climate change and increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential to transform the energy sector toward sustainable and renewable energy sources. This process involves many aspects, including technological, economic, social and political. In this inaugural debate, we would like to discuss the key challenges and opportunities of Poland’s energy transition and provide directions for future action. The debate aims not only to diagnose the current situation but also to develop specific recommendations and strategies that can accelerate the energy transition process in Poland. Cooperation among all stakeholders, including government, the private sector, NGOs and the public, is key to achieving sustainable energy development goals.
Inaugural debate pt.1
- Evaluation of the current energy mix
- Review of Poland’s international obligations to reduce CO2 emissions
- The impact of EU climate policy on the Polish energy sector
- Poland’s long-term climate goals and their implementation
- The role of government and local governments in promoting the energy transition
- Evaluation of existing regulations and the need for new legislative solutions
- Public-private partnership in the implementation of energy projects
- Digitization without cybersecurity as the biggest present threat in the transformation process
- Ensuring power reserves at a safe level – what are the risks of the power gap?
- Electricity prices and competitiveness
- RED III implementation
INAUGURAL BLOCK
11:15 – 12:15 part 2 – Energy transition – Gas and fuels
The gas and oil sector plays a key role in the Polish economy, being both the foundation of many industries and a significant consumer of energy. In the face of dynamic changes in the global energy market, rising commodity prices, and the challenges of climate policy, Poland is facing the need to rethink its strategy for managing these sectors. The inaugural debate aims to discuss the current problems and challenges facing these key areas of the economy and identify possible courses of action.
Inaugural debate pt.2
- Gas supply stability in the context of global and regional political tensions
- Potential of domestic gas resources and development of LNG infrastructure
- Fuel prices and their impact on the economy
- New technologies in the extraction, processing and storage of gas and fuels
- The role of digitisation and smart solutions in energy management
- The role of smart metering in gas distribution
12:15 – 12:35 Break
BLOCK: COOPERATION FOR SECURITY: THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN ENERGY CYBERSECURITY
In the era of digitisation and emerging information technologies, the energy sector is becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Critical infrastructure, including power grids, energy management systems and smart grid devices, are potential targets for cyber attacks that can lead to major energy supply disruptions and threaten national security. In the debate, we would like to discuss current issues related to energy cyber security in Poland, identify key challenges and develop effective protection strategies.
12:35 – 12:45 title TBC
Presentation
- IFS representative
12:45 – 12:55 Introduction to the panel
- Maciej Wyczesany, President of the Management Board, General Director, Apator
12:55 – 13:35 Cooperation for security: the role of the public and private sectors in energy cybersecurity
Debate
- Assessing the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to cyber threats
- Examples of recent cyber incidents in the energy industry worldwide and in Poland
- Using artificial intelligence and machine learning in threat detection
- The role of blockchain in securing energy transactions
- Importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and information exchange between power grid operators, IT companies, and government institutions
- Security of critical infrastructure, including IoT devices, versus legal regulations and security standards such as NIS (Network and Information Systems Directive)
- Importance of local content for long-term technological sovereignty
- Security and use of information technology in the organization
- Is smart metering safe?
13:35 – 13:50 Big Data trends: Where do the rising costs of data processing come from and how do we combat them?
- Adam Szymański, CTO, Oxla
13:50 – 14:00 NIS2 and AI Act in the energy industry – new obligations for suppliers and users of IT systems
- Piotr Klamka, Radca prawny, Klamka Legal
RES BLOCK
Renewable energy sources play a key role in Poland’s energy transition, supporting the goals of reducing CO2 emissions, improving air quality and increasing energy independence. Despite the dynamic development of RES technologies, Poland still faces many challenges that inhibit the full realisation of renewable energy potential. Each part of the block aims to identify the main problems in the RES market and to develop strategies that can support the further development of RES.
14:00 – 14:45 part 1 Energy storage – the key to the future development of the photovoltaic sector
Debate
- Energy storage facilities as a partial solution to the power gap problem
- Overview of available subsidy programs and preferential loans for photovoltaic investments
- Challenges of managing solar overproduction. Need to upgrade transmission and distribution infrastructure
- Regulatory environment and investment processes – where are we?
- Managing energy from surplus
- What’s next for energy prosumers? Cyber security and further development of the system
- Virtual power plant (VPP)
14:45 – 15:15 Break
15:15 – 16:00 Part 2 Wind farms in Poland: from regulation to practice – how to overcome barriers and increase production?
Debate
- Analysis of wind energy development and production trends and identification of major challenges
- Increasing the level of transparency in the process of granting conditions for the connection of sources to the grid in the context of the exponential increase in refusals
- Energy storage facilities for wind power
- Problems with local acceptance of onshore and offshore wind farms
- Location and distance issues – barriers to actual wind power development
16:00 – 16:40 Part 3 Biogas and Biomethane in Poland: Current Situation and Development Prospects
Debate
- Overview of the current situation of the biogas and biomethane sector in Poland
- Analysis of current legal regulations on the production and use of biogas and biomethane
- Support policies and subsidy programs for biogas investments
- Challenges in building and upgrading infrastructure for biogas and biomethane production and distribution
- Innovative technologies in biogas and biomethane production and their implementation in Poland
- Scenarios for the development of the biogas and biomethane sector in Poland until 2030 and 2050
- Biogas in transportation
BLOCK ENERGY TRANSITION COSTS FOR POLISH INDUSTRY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Industrial energy plays a key role in shaping the economy’s competitiveness and sustainability. Given global climate change and the growing demand for energy, Poland faces numerous challenges related to energy transition, including improving energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, and integrating renewable energy sources.
16:40 – 17:25 Energy transition costs for Polish industry: challenges and opportunities
Debate
- Investment in energy efficiency and its importance for industrial competitiveness
- Gains for industrial companies and the economy from switching production from handling fossil fuels to handling RES and carbon-free sources
- Future technologies and their potential impact on the development of electromobility in Poland
- Industry 5.0 as a development of Industry 4.0 technologies – are we ready yet?
- How can the integration of ESG into business strategy affect a company’s market value? Lowering the cost of capital and attracting investors interested in sustainable development
- Identification of the main obstacles to implementing ESG strategies in the industry, including lack of adequate regulation, limited financial resources, and technological challenges
- Greenwashing – the dark side of ESG, risks, consequences, penalties
- The role of AI in industry – is there room and potential for it?
17:25 Lunch
Day II,8th November 2024
9:00 – 9:15 Opening of the conference
BLOCK: NUCLEAR POWER IN POLAND – REALITIES, RISKS AND SOLUTIONS
Nuclear energy is one of the most discussed energy sources in the context of Poland’s energy transition. On the one hand, it offers the possibility of a stable, low-CO2 energy supply, while on the other hand, it raises controversy over safety, cost and radioactive waste management. Faced with global climate challenges and growing energy demand, Poland is considering introducing nuclear power into its energy mix.
9:15 – 10:15 Nuclear power in Poland – realities, risks and solutions
Debate
- Schedule of implementation and main stages of investment in nuclear power in Poland
- Discussion of safety standards in the nuclear power industry – technologies and procedures to enhance nuclear reactor safety
- Risk management of nuclear accidents
- Cost analysis of construction and operation of nuclear power plants
- Nuclear project financing models (public-private partnerships, state financing)
- Impact of investment costs on energy prices for consumers and the economy
- Long-term waste management strategies and safety. Examples of solutions used in other countries
- The public debate on nuclear power and the role of the media in shaping opinion
- How can the nuclear power industry work with existing IT solutions?
- Where is the best place to put sector merging? Cooperation of nuclear and RES technologies
- The role of technical supervision in the nuclear power industry
10:15 – 10:30 Break
BLOCK: DATA AS FUEL OF THE FUTURE: THE ROLE OF DATA ANALYTICS IN THE POLISH ENERGY SECTOR
In the era of digital transformation, data plays a key role in managing and optimising the energy sector. In Poland, as in the rest of the world, the importance of collecting, analysing and using data to increase operational efficiency, improve the management of power grids and promote sustainable development is growing. However, the use of data in the energy sector brings a number of challenges, such as privacy, security, and system integration issues. The debate will focus on discussing these problems, identifying the main obstacles and developing recommendations for the future.
10:30 – 10:40 New challenges in the area of data analytics arising from energy market transformation
- Jacek Rekos, VP, CGI
10:40 – 10:55 [title TBD]
10:55 – 11:05 Introduction to the panel – AI
11:05 – 11:50 Data as fuel of the future: the role of data analytics in the Polish energy sector
Debate
- The role of data in energy demand prediction and resource management
- The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the analysis of key energy data
- Growing role of digitalisation, big data, and artificial intelligence in ESG management
- Energy market processes implemented by CSIRE
- Impact of data analytics to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs
- Collection and processing of large amounts of data in real-time
- Problems with data quality and accuracy
- Challenges of integrating different data sources (e.g., smart grid, RES, traditional energy sources)
- Counter data management and certification
BLOCK: THE FUTURE OF ENERGY ROUTES: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN POLAND
Distribution networks are a key component of the energy system, responsible for delivering electricity from producers to consumers. In Poland, as in other countries, the energy infrastructure faces challenges in modernising, integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring a stable supply. Dynamic technological changes and growing energy demand require innovative solutions and investments in distribution networks.
11:50 – 12:35 The future of energy routes: challenges and strategies for the development of distribution networks in Poland
Debate
- The role of investment in the maintenance and expansion of distribution networks
- The need to adapt infrastructure to variable energy sources
- Security and stability of supplies
- Modern technologies of network monitoring and automation
- Examples of innovative solutions to increase the efficiency of energy distribution
- The role of the state and the private sector in financing distribution projects
- Effective use of network resources
- Smart metering as a part of DSO’s digital transformation
- Status of smart metering implementation in the face of statutory obligations and in comparison with other EU countries
12:35 – 13:05 Break
BLOCK: FINANCIAL POLICY AND THE ENERGY SECTOR: THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC DECISIONS ON THE TRANSITION
Energy financing is one of the key challenges for Poland in achieving its sustainable development and energy transition goals. The energy sector needs significant investment to meet global climate change, growing energy demand, and the need to modernise outdated infrastructure. Diverse sources of funding, innovative investment models, and regulatory support are essential to meet these challenges. We will discuss the current problems of energy financing in Poland and identify potential solutions.
13:05 – 13:50 Financial policy and the energy sector: the impact of economic decisions on the transition
Debate
- Overview of current sources of financing for energy projects in Poland (public, private, international)
- Assessing the availability of capital in the energy market
- Impact of financial and economic policies on the energy sector
- Examples of successful RES projects in Poland and their financing model
- Review of regulations and policies affecting energy sector financing
- Challenges of implementing financial regulations and their impact on the market
- ESG – processes, audits and reporting
- How can executives help put ESG at the centre of business strategy, and how can it help create value for companies?
- CSRD and ESRS as an opportunity to increase organisational transparency within a company beyond traditional financial metrics
- How do other countries protect their local content? Examples of good practices
- Participation of Polish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine
BLOCK: DECARBONIZATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE HEATING INDUSTRY: INTEGRATION AND CHALLENGES
District heating, which includes systems for supplying heat to residential, industrial and public buildings, plays a key role in Poland’s energy sector. Faced with the challenges of improving energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions and modernising outdated infrastructure, the district heating sector faces many challenges. The transformation of district heating to a more sustainable and efficient system requires significant investment and regulatory support. It is crucial to identify best practices and efficiency-enhancing technologies in heating modernisation as soon as possible.
13:50 – 14:35 Decarbonization and renewable energy in the heating industry: integration and challenges
Debate
- Challenges of improving energy efficiency in district heating systems
- Technologies and solutions to support energy efficiency, such as combined heat and power (CHP) and grid modernisation
- Challenges of sector decarbonisation and RES integration
- Cooperation between the public and private sectors in district heating investments
- The role of district heating in improving the comfort of residents and protecting the environment
- Innovation and the future of heating
- Development of low-temperature heating and its potential
- Power to heat technology – heat pumps and electric boilers
- Sector coupling – the potential to stabilise the electricity system
- Individual heating – how do we make directions? What do Poles heat their homes with?
- District heating as a network stabiliser
14:35 Lunch
* Speakers in the process of confirmation
** The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the agenda and to change the location and date of the even
Update: 17.09.2024