Circular economy

One of the factors influencing the achievement of climate neutrality by PGE Group by 2050 is the implementation of the principles of a circular economy in all areas of activity.

Closing the circulation of raw materials and increasing the degree of their utilisation is an important process in PGE Group due to the growing importance of efficient use of resources, reduction of waste generation in favour of by-products and minimisation of environmental impact.

Combustion by-products

By-products of combustion are the result of electricity and heat production in power generation units fired with fossil fuels. The management of combustion by-products at PGE Group turns waste into high-value substances that are used in other branches of economy (cement industry, construction, road-building, mining) and thus reduces the volume of ultimate waste generated. In 2020 alone, a total of 4.33 million tonnes of valuable commercial materials, including ash, slag and gypsum from flue gas desulphurisation systems, were generated in power plants and combined heat and power plants belonging to PGE Group during the production of electricity and heat.

The re-use of combustion by-products in various branches of industry has tangible benefits for the environment. The nuisance of landfills for people and the natural environment is reduced as there is no need to allocate new land for building them and the accompanying infrastructure.

By-products of combustion successfully replace natural raw materials (e.g. natural gypsum, aggregate), thus reducing their extraction as well as emissions that accompany their extraction. The responsible use of secondary raw materials, such as gypsum from flue gas desulphurisation plants, is a good example of implementing the principle of priority for secondary raw materials in economic processes. Such measures help to protect fossil resources for future generations.

Another important aspect is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in production cycles that use combustion by-products. A case in point is the reduced carbon footprint of cement production processes using fly ash or gypsum board production processes using synthetic gypsum. The use of ash with a high calcium content from commercial power generation reduces CO2 emissions that accompany the industries producing traditional binders such as cement or lime. In this way, the conventional power generation sector contributes to the avoidance of CO2 emissions due to the use of combustion by-products supplied from power plants to cement production factories. According to a report prepared by the National Centre for Emissions Balancing and Management, thanks to the production of binders from combustion by-products, which successfully replace cement and natural lime in selected geotechnical applications – mainly in road construction, CO2 emissions can be reduced by almost 568,000 tonnes over a period of five years.

Cement and concrete manufacturers, ceramic producers, as well as mining and road construction companies benefit from the use of proven and safe solutions. Products made using combustion by-products meet all the requirements applicable to building materials and products.

The market for combustion by-products:

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In connection with the application of calcium-based flue gas desulphurisation methods in power plants and CHPs belonging to PGE Group, synthetic gypsum is produced, which turns out to be a good substitute for natural gypsum, and the majority of the substance’s components (99%) are compounds identical to mineral substances of natural origin. In 2020 alone, 2.43 million tonnes of gypsum from flue gas desulphurisation systems were produced at PGE’s power plants and CHPs.

By-products of combustion are also used in the rehabilitation and macro-levelling of post-industrial and degraded land, restoring many areas to their former landscape and natural conditions. They are also widely used in the mining industry to protect the structural integrity of pits.

By-products of combustion in a circular economy:

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Tasks in the field of circular economy are planned within the companies dedicated to support and conduct activities in the field of waste and combustion by-products management, i.e. PGE Ekoserwis sp. z o.o. and Epore sp. z.o.o.

Waste-to-energy incineration facility

PGE Group operates one waste-to-energy incineration facility in Rzeszów. This plant allows a controlled and safe recovery of energy from municipal waste and the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art filters, the incineration system meets the strictest EU environmental requirements. It is also a major step towards the complete elimination of landfill in the region.

Two new investment projects will be realised by PGE Energia Ciepła as part of the circular economy initiative:

  • second line at the incinerator in Rzeszów
  • incineration facility on the premises of Bełchatów plant.

Both projects are currently at the preparatory stage and are to be launched in 2023-2024.

Oil management

Oil management is an example of PGE Group companies applying the principles of circular economy. Necessary for the correct functioning of hydro- and turbine-sets, oil is treated and purified for reuse on an ongoing basis. Systems are in place to minimise oil consumption and maximise oil reuse (e.g. systems for filtering and capturing oil vapour, leakproof oil sumps, separators and oil separators).

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