The Earth's geothermal energy is the energy accumulated in magma, rocks and fluids such as water, steam, crude oil or natural gas, which fill the pores and cracks of rocks. One of its components is the energy contained in water, steam and surrounding rocks. Geothermal energy, alongside solar and wind energy, is classified as a renewable energy source (RES).
It is ecologically clean energy, which makes it an excellent tool for implementing sustainable energy development plans - both in Poland and around the world. By replacing energy production from hard coal and reducing CO₂ and SO₂ emissions, geothermal energy contributes to reducing the negative impact on the environment and increasing local energy security.
An inexhaustible source of energy
Geoenergy is a source of primary energy, practically inexhaustible, constantly replenished by heat from the Earth's interior. This energy is obtained independently of external conditions, which makes it a stable source with constant access - regardless of the time of day or year. Unlike wind energy, which depends on wind power, or solar energy, which depends on weather and seasons, geothermal energy offers price and operational stability.
Use of geothermal energy in Poland
In Poland, geothermal energy is used primarily in heating, but also in sectors such as recreation (e.g. thermal baths) or medicine (recovery of mineral salts for the production of cosmetics).
Thanks to its geological structure, Poland has enormous geothermal potential. Geothermal waters occur mainly in underground reservoirs made of permeable rocks, which are closed from the bottom and sides with sealing rocks. These geothermal reservoirs occur in Poland in the form of natural sedimentary-structural pools, with water temperatures ranging from 20°C to even over 100°C.
The largest and most profitable deposits for exploitation are located in the Polish Lowlands, the Carpathians and the Sudetes. Of particular importance are the resources of the Lower Cretaceous basins in the Polish Lowlands, according to the Atlas of Geothermal Resources edited by Wojciech Górecki.
Development of geothermal energy in Poland
In the years 2010–2024, over 60 geothermal drillings were made in Poland, of which over half (35 drillings) were carried out by UOS Drilling S.A. Currently, there are 10 geothermal heating plants in Poland (8 with drillings made by UOS Drilling), which operate in a geothermal doublet system – one hole extracts water from deep in the earth, and the other injects it back after releasing heat to the exchanger.
Examples of the efficiency of these installations include:
- PEC Geotermia Podhalańska, which has used 398 thousand m3 more than in the last 30 years. tons of coal less,
- G-Term Energy – Geotermia Stargard, which managed to reduce CO₂ emissions by over 600 thousand tons in 12 years.
Geothermal energy – cost-effective and ecological
Investments in geothermal installations are cost-effective in the long term, because they are characterized by low operating costs. Although they require high initial outlays, in the long term they are one of the cheapest and cleanest sources of renewable energy.
Geothermal energy is the future of sustainable energy, which can significantly contribute to environmental protection and ensuring energy stability.