Date added: 2025-01-24
SMR technology as an alternative to coal. Cooperation between Gdańsk Tech and EC Będzin S.A.
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The joint-stock company EC Będzin is one of the oldest energy companies in Poland, with a 113-year history. Since 1998, it has been listed on the stock exchange, as the first company in the power industry. Its main areas of activity are the generation of heat and electricity and trade in energy raw materials.
Gdańsk University of Technology together with EC Będzin S.A. will develop and promote primarily SMR technologies (Small Modular Reactors).
An alternative to fossil fuels
SMR technology concerns small nuclear reactors of reduced scale compared to traditional, large nuclear power plants. SMR is a modern solution in the field of nuclear energy, which aims to improve safety, flexibility and energy efficiency.
Small modular reactors are designed in such a way that the production of their key components takes place in factories, which allows for reducing construction costs and shortening the time of project implementation compared to traditional nuclear power plants. Due to their compact size, they can be installed in various locations, also in places where the construction of a large nuclear power plant is unprofitable or difficult to implement, for example in remote areas or industrial areas with high energy demand.
The University has committed to the Company in particular to: award EC BĘDZIN S.A. the title of "Strategic Partner of the Nuclear Energy Center in the field of SMR technology"; It will also promote the development of energy technologies used in heating and power engineering, and in particular SMR technology for heating.
Close cooperation is also planned in the scope of research and development tasks and projects, the need for which will become apparent during the cooperation. Additionally, the Company has the right to designate four representatives in the nine-person Council of the Centre, appointed by the Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, and the right to designate a representative of EC BĘDZIN S.A. for the position of Deputy Director of the Centre.
At the same time, the Company has undertaken to pay Gdańsk University of Technology a remuneration of approximately PLN 500 thousand net for each year of cooperation.
On behalf of Gdańsk University of Technology the agreement was signed by Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology, and Prof. Justyna Kucińska-Lipka, Vice-Rector for Development. EC Będzin S.A. was represented by Marcin Chodkowski, President of the Management Board, and Krystian Ortyla, Vice-President of the Management Board for Development. The agreement was signed for one year with the possibility of automatic extension.
– Energy transformation in Europe and Poland is necessary, but it must be carried out in a planned, well-thought-out, precise and logical way, so that, in addition to the rightful idea of moving away from fossil fuels, we also act pragmatically, ensuring energy stability at all times, giving society a sense of security – said Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk University of Technology. – That is why I am extremely happy about signing this agreement. I would very much like this cooperation to bring many technological solutions that will allow us to be competitive in this industry.
Scientific and technical seminar
The ceremonial commencement of cooperation took place during the scientific and technical seminar entitled "Small and medium-power nuclear reactors - an alternative to large-scale nuclear power or its supplement". The seminar was led by Prof. Waldemar Kamrat, director of the Nuclear Energy Centre at Gdańsk University of Technology.
During the seminar, Marcin Jaskólski, PhD, Eng., the rector's proxy for nuclear energy, gave a presentation on nuclear reactors for district heating. Prof. Waldemar Kamrat discussed the goals and scope of cooperation between the university and EC Będzin S.A. Marcin Chodkowski, president of the management board, also took the floor, discussing the history and development of the company and its development plans for the coming years.