Operation of a Condensing Power Plant with Power Units with the Rated Capacity of 370 MW in Cogeneration in the System of Power and Frequency Regulation of the Polish Power System

Abstract

Cogeneration involving concurrent generation of electricity and heat forms one of the most important ways of producing energy according to principles of economy and ecology, as reflected by the Directive 2012/27/UE of the European Parliament and of the European Council from October 25, 2012. Poland is one of the countries in which the proportion of the heat production in cogenerating sources is at relatively high level in the total energy production. In 2001, it was equal to 64 % of the total heat production in the country. Although this is a considerable figure, there is still a large potential for the application of cogeneration and this process is inevitable. This is so as the commitment to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by the Polish economy, which is based on combustion of hard coal and lignite, is extremely costly, and leads to deterioration of the condition of Poland’s economy.