The Role of Local Government in the Bottom-Up Energy Transformation of Poland on the Example of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Abstract

This article focuses on the role of local government in energy transition. The aim of this article is to answer the question of whether local government authorities undertake actions aimed at the energy transformation of the region. This article is based on both literature studies and independent research. The empirical research was carried out in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, located in Southwestern Poland. This region was chosen because it experienced the negative effects of economic transformation (liquidation of the Lower Silesian Coal Basin). Two hypotheses (H1 and H2) were adopted in the article. H1 assumes that in Polish conditions, bottom-up energy transformation requires the involvement of local authorities, and they should act as both initiators and shareholders of energy cooperatives. According to H2, local authorities participate in the energy transition to a limited extent. According to the conducted surveys, there has been no investment in wind farms, hydroelectric power plants or biogas plants. Communes are not interested in large, capital-intensive investments, limiting themselves to local actions with a small spatial range and small economic significance, although they are aware of the advantages of RES.

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“…2 During hot startup, the lowtemperature water in the pipeline enters the feed pump to generate thermal shock, which causes thermal stress in the pump body. 3 During the load increase in the unit, the water pressure and temperature at the outlet of the deaerator increase accordingly, and the hightemperature water flows into the low-temperature pump body to cause thermal shock, which generates pressure stress on the surface of the impeller and the inner wall of the pump casing, leading to life loss and damage to the core package of the feedwater pump.…”

“…In the new power system dominated by photovoltaic, wind power, and other renewable energy sources in the future, due to the intermittent and peak-load regulation characteristics of renewable energy power generation, thermal power units not only undertake more frequent peak shaving, frequency modulation, and other auxiliary services but also face more frequent and more severe supply assurance tasks, which brings great uncertainty and challenges to the operational reliability of thermal power unit equipment [1][2][3][4].…”

Transformation of the Polish Heating Sector Based on an Example of Select Heat Energy Companies Supplying Energy to Local Government Units

“…Research on the role of local government in the energy transition in the Lower Silesia Voivodeship was carried out by a research team led by Struś. The main objective of this research was to determine if local authorities are taking action to achieve the region's energy transition [23].…”