Polityka Energetyczna - Energy Policy Journal

This study investigates the implications of growing weather-dependent, variable renewable energy sources (VRES) for the Polish power system by 2040, with a particular focus on nonmarket redispatch. Using a simulation-based approach, six scenarios were developed, combining projected capacities of photovoltaics, onshore wind, and offshore wind with varying electricity demand levels and assumptions on system flexibility. Hourly generation and demand profiles were modeled to estimate both the number of redispatch hours and the curtailed energy volume. Results indicate that without appropriate systemic measures, redispatch could occur for several hundred hours annually, with energy losses reaching tens of TWh. Raising electricity demand in line with ENTSO-E’s NT+ and GA projections substantially lowers curtailment. Nevertheless, in the most optimistic GA scenario with an 80% redispatch threshold, curtailment remains above 1300 hours per year. The findings highlight that electrification of end-use sectors, together with flexible demand technologies and thermal storage, is essential to absorb renewable surpluses and mitigate curtailment. Without these actions, redispatch may become a barrier to the energy transition in Poland, limiting both system security and the profitability of renewable investments. At the same time, ensuring adequacy requires maintaining dispatchable low-emission generation, including planned nuclear investments, to cover approximately 140 TWh of residual demand, equivalent to around 16 GW of continuous capacity.

The study was conducted to determine the possibilities and advantages of introducing a generating complex based on renewable energy sources to increase the sustainability and energy efficiency of agricultural facilities. For this purpose, a model of a generating complex using renewable energy sources to meet the energy needs of agricultural facilities has been evaluated. The impact of the integration of the Bergey Excel 10 wind turbine, the NIBE F1155 geothermal installation, and the JA Solar JAM72S20-405/PR solar panels with the SolarEdge SE40K inverter on the energy systems of agricultural facilities was considered. The integration of solar panels and low-power wind turbines significantly reduced energy costs, achieving savings from 5,500 kWh to 180,000 kWh per year compared to conventional sources. During the evaluation of the effectiveness of the complex, it was revealed that the payback period for investments in such technologies makes them economically feasible. In addition, the findings showed that the productivity of agricultural facilities has increased due to improved working conditions and lower energy costs. An analysis of the environmental impact of the generating complex showed a reduction in the level of polluting CO₂ emissions by 10–25 tonnes per year, which had a positive impact on the health of local ecosystems. The study also revealed that the introduction of renewable energy sources can be an incentive to create new jobs in the agricultural sector, which contributes to the economic development of the region.

Damage to critical infrastructure, including the energy sector, has led to a lack of generation capacity in Ukraine’s energy system and has negatively impacted the economy and civilians’ lives. One of the ways to solve Ukraine’s energy problems may be the use of cogeneration gas turbine units. In this case, it will ensure more economically efficient use of gas and electricity generation. This approach will allow responding promptly to changes in the load in the power system during the day (week, month, year), since the operation of cogeneration gas turbine units does not depend on weather conditions or landscape, and uses the resources available in the country. The restoration and modernization of Ukraine’s power system can be realized through the connection of 5–10 MW power generation units. Calculations show that the use of less powerful turbines can be more flexible due to the possibility of locating them directly at the places of consumption, i.e., distributed cogeneration units of low power will be used in the power system. Waste heat can be additionally used for heating, and the needs of enterprises and civilians. The Solar Taurus T60 was considered an example of a cogeneration gas turbine unit. The paper presents a calculation model for determining the cost of electricity. As a result of the calculation, it was shown that it is the least cost-effective to use Solar Taurus T60 only during peak hours at a cost of money of up to 0.26. And in the case of cogeneration plant operation around the clock, as well as in peak and semi-peak hours, their operation is economically feasible for a cost of money of less than 0.40 and 0.45 relative units, respectively. The analysis of three generator operation strategies shows that each of them remains economically feasible as long as the cost of money does not exceed 0.26 relative units. Considering that the current interest rate set by the National Bank of Ukraine is below 20% (NBU 2025), which is significantly below this threshold, all three strategies can be regarded as financially justified under present economic conditions.

The article examines the enhancement of energy autonomy for livestock farms through the implementation of power supply systems based on renewable energy sources – specifically, biogas plants and solar generation. A comprehensive methodology is proposed for assessing the energy potential of agricultural organic waste, including manure, manure effluents, and feed residues. The assessment takes into account the chemical composition, moisture content, and total volume of raw materials, enabling accurate estimation of biogas output through anaerobic digestion. Analytical models are presented to calculate the potential electrical and thermal energy output per cubic meter of biogas, considering the efficiency and technical characteristics of the generator set. The farm’s energy consumption profile was developed, including a detailed daily load schedule, peak demand, and average daily usage.

Based on this analysis, the optimal capacity of the biogas plant and the required area of photovoltaic panels were calculated to ensure full coverage of the farm’s energy needs. Scenarios for seasonal generation adjustment are discussed, as well as the possibility of connecting to the external power grid in case of electricity surplus.

The scientific result of the study is the development of a scalable and adaptable algorithm for designing autonomous energy supply systems for livestock farms, based on balancing biogas production with electricity consumption.

The proposed solution enhances the energy resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the state of energy supply of Ukrainian enterprises in the conditions of military aggression, global challenges, and European integration aspirations of Ukraine. The problems of the centralized energy system inherited from the USSR, which no longer meets the needs of the national economy, are highlighted, and the need to develop distributed generation based on renewable energy sources and bioenergy is emphasized. Particular attention is paid to the connection between energy security, economic stability, and sustainable development goals. The advantages of alternative energy for small and medium-sized businesses are highlighted, in particular, the possibilities of energy independence of enterprises, diversification of energy supply sources, and participation in the formation of local energy markets. The article analyzes the current state and dynamics of the development of the renewable energy sector in Ukraine, identifies barriers and prospects for the implementation of bioenergy projects, especially the construction of biomethane plants. The experience of Ukraine and the EU countries in this area is compared, and European regulations on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, which are mandatory for Ukraine’s integration into the European market, are analyzed. The economic, environmental, and social aspects of the energy strategy of enterprises are considered, as well as the role of the agro-industrial complex in the production of biofuels. The need to attract investments, harmonize legislation, and exchange experience with the EU to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security is emphasized.

The scientific article considers the first and second energy sectors included in the classification of industries, shows the need to take into account the realities of the electric power sector when studying the historical stages of development of the infrastructure complex of the oil and gas sector, and conducts research in this direction. The processes of construction and commissioning of power plants (HPPs, TPPs) in Azerbaijan since the end of the 19^th century and the transformation of this industry into the main elements of economic development have been analyzed. At the same time, the paper analyzes the infrastructural indicators of the current state of the gas and energy 110 infrastructure of the country, which is an integral structure in the development of the energy sector, and also compiles a SWOT analysis matrix of quantitative and qualitative indicators of energy security of the country.

This article was aimed at assessing rural households’ perceptions and self-reported attitudes towards the negative effects of traditional biomass energy use on deforestation, land degradation, agricultural productivity, and food security in Ada’a woreda, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A mixed approach design was deployed with quantitative and qualitative designs to collect the data using a survey questionnaire, interview guide, and observation checklist. Data was collected from 366 sample households and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Stata Version 14 software. The study, in the course of analysis, deployed the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and an Ordered Logistic Regression. Gender is revealed as an influencing factor determining perceptions on traditional biomass energy use as a cause of deforestation, land degradation, negative effects on agricultural productivity, and food security. In this regard, males’ perception increases by 66, 88, 61, and 55% respectively than females. Considering the level of education, as the reference category, households with no formal education and primary school had a perception decrease of 80%. The participants with secondary school attendance showed a 70% decrease in the belief that traditional biomass energy use causes deforestation. For land degradation, the participants with no formal education showed a decrease by 62%, and those with primary and secondary school attendance reflected the decrease by 70 and 74%, respectively. Agricultural productivity decreases by 60% in connection to biomass energy use for those with no formal education, by 77 and 63% respectively for primary and secondary school attendees. The effect of biomass energy use was revealed to negatively affect food security, decreasing by 84% for those with no formal education and by 79 and 80% respectively for primary and secondary school attendees. The use of traditional biomass energy is a significant driver of deforestation. Mixed farmer households have experienced a 178% increase in deforestation, while small business households have seen an increase of 111%. This environmental damage has a severe impact on agricultural productivity.

The vast solar potential of Algeria underscores the need for adopting strategies helping to integrate solar energy in residential buildings to meet growing energy consumption and alleviate the financial pressures caused by energy subsidies. This paper presents a study on the optimal operational strategy and economic analysis for residential buildings aiming to achieve net-zero electricity (NZE) through cost-effective solutions. The methodology involves the development of a high-performance simulation model for NZE solar homes. This model integrates several algorithms designed to optimize the sizing of the photovoltaic (PV) system and implement an efficient energy management strategy. The results show that an optimal PV peak power of 4.218 kWp and a battery capacity of 5.578 kWh lead to a net annual energy surplus of approximately 58 kWh and an electricity cost of 0.1204 USD/kWh, resulting from the investment in the NZE solar home. On average, the system supplies 0.433 kW to the grid during midday peak hours in summer while maintaining full electrical autonomy during evening peak hours. Therefore, the proposed optimal strategy maximizes the use of solar PV energy and minimizes reliance on grid electricity. It also ensures net-zero electricity by accounting for long-term interaction with the grid. Additionally, a detailed cost-benefit analysis reveals potential savings of 7,176.00 USD per household, representing a 68% reduction in government energy subsidies over a 25-year period. These findings offer a practical roadmap for the large-scale deployment of NZE homes in Algeria, helping to reduce both grid stress and the financial burden of energy subsidies, while also contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

Azerbaijan is currently an exporter of oil and gas, but its goal is to sustain its status as an energy exporter by investing in green energy projects for the future. The aim of this paper is to establish a conceptual framework that explores how Azerbaijan, an oil-rich country, can transform into a green energy exporter. This study compares various green energy export scenarios.

Findings show that (1) transitioning from fossil fuel exports to green energy generally reduces exporter vulnerability and enhances domestic energy security, despite increasing exposure to international market forces; (2) Azerbaijan could increase its green energy exports to comprise as much as 14% of its exports in the coming years; (3) through these green energy initiatives, Azerbaijan can sustain its role as an energy exporter well beyond 2050; (4) the results of the I-O model show that achieving green energy export targets could lead to a 6.7% increase in Azerbaijan’s total output; (5) this shift would also play a crucial role in diversifying the country’s export base and formation of net-zero energy systems; (6) it would allow Europe to diversify its energy supply and reduce its dependence on a single country. By combining two different approaches, Azerbaijan has the potential to transition its exports from oil and gas to green energy, thereby positioning itself as a model for other oil-rich nations pursuing sustainable energy development.

The European Green Deal represents a landmark initiative aimed at steering the continent towards a sustainable future, with renewable wind energy occupying a central role in this transition. This research delves into the multifaceted aspects of renewable wind energy within the context of the European Green Deal, focusing on several key dimensions. Firstly, the study examines the energy generation associated with both wind energy and coal energy, providing a comparative analysis to underscore the environmental advantages of renewable alternatives. Through detailed case studies centered on coal mining regions in Poland and Germany, the socio-economic dynamics of transitioning from coal-dependent economies to renewable energy systems are explored, elucidating the challenges and opportunities inherent in such transitions.

The end-of-life management of wind turbines, particularly recycling and reuse, presents significant challenges. This paper analyzes the recycling potential of wind turbines in Poland and Germany under the European Green Deal policy. While up to 85% of turbine components can be recycled, composite material blades, made of glass fibers and plastic polymers, remain difficult to recycle due to their complex structure.

Furthermore, the research investigates the application of circular economy principles within the wind energy sector, emphasizing strategies for resource efficiency, recycling, and waste reduction. This research has the most important impact on the European Green Deal and makes a new European zone with the goal of achieving zero carbon emissions. By synthesizing these diverse strands, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how renewable wind energy can serve as a linchpin for achieving sustainability objectives outlined in the European Green Deal.