Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
3. Results
3.1. Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland
- Financial support programs—Government programs such as Mój Prąd, Czyste Powietrze, and tax relief have made the purchase and installation of panels more affordable for households.
- Decreasing technology costs—The prices of PV installations have significantly decreased year by year, making it more affordable for more people to invest in RESs. Additionally, the technology is becoming increasingly efficient.
- Changes in regulations—Legislative changes enabling the use of the net-metering system (energy balancing) until 2022 allowed prosumers to transfer surplus energy to the grid and later retrieve it without additional fees. Although a net-billing system was introduced in 2022, where prosumers settle according to market energy prices, the number of installations continues to grow.
- Rising energy prices—The sharp increase in electricity prices on the market has encouraged households to seek alternative power sources, making investments in photovoltaic panels more profitable.
3.2. Challenges Related to Energy Grid Stability and Technologies Supporting Grid Stability
- Energy Storage in Żarnowiec—Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) plans to launch one of the largest battery energy storage facilities in Europe in Żarnowiec by the end of September 2026, with a capacity of 900 MWh and a power rating of 263 MW. The storage facility will support the balancing of energy from wind farms and provide flexibility services for the energy system [41].
- Energy Storage Projects Purchased by EDF Renewables—In December 2024, EDF Renewables finalized the purchase of a second large-scale battery energy storage project in Poland, with a capacity of 120 MW, scheduled to begin construction in 2025 and be operational by early 2028. Earlier, the company had purchased a 50 MW project, expected to be operational in early 2026 [42].
- Energy Storage Projects by PGE Dystrybucja—PGE Dystrybucja received funding of PLN 43 million for the construction of three energy storage facilities: Warta, Jeziorsko, and Cisna. The projects aim to improve the quality of electricity parameters in the distribution network, particularly in areas with a high concentration of renewable energy sources [43].
- Energy Storage in Ochotnica Dolna—The Ochotnica Dolna municipality, in cooperation with Elsta and TAURON Dystrybucja, implemented a project for an industrial energy storage system with a power rating of 50 kW and a capacity of 125 kWh. The storage system supports the stabilization of the local electricity network and allows for better use of energy from photovoltaic micro-installations [44].
- The Smart Grid Project (Tauron)—Tauron Dystrybucja is implementing the Smart Grid project, which involves the deployment of modern network management systems and remote monitoring. The project includes the installation of smart meters, demand management systems, and advanced network automation. This enables quick responses to network failures and issues, significantly improving energy supply stability and allowing for effective management of variable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Smart meters allow for more accurate monitoring and forecasting of energy demand, which supports better resource allocation and faster decision-making in the event of failures or the need to adjust energy production to demand. Additionally, network automation enables quicker localization and resolution of system issues [50]
- The Smart Grid Project in the Łódź Region (PGE Dystrybucja)—PGE Dystrybucja is carrying out a project that includes the installation of smart meters and advanced network automation. This project is part of a broader energy transformation aimed at improving energy management efficiency and ensuring grid stability in the face of increasing renewable energy sources. The installation of smart meters enables quick fault detection and more accurate energy demand forecasting, allowing for better load management and voltage stabilization. Additionally, remote monitoring allows for faster response to system issues [51].
- The Flexible Energy Grid Project in the Eastern Region (ENERGA Operator)—This project, carried out by ENERGA Operator, aims to implement intelligent solutions in network management, including automatic switching, energy quality monitoring, and the deployment of distributed energy sources. Automatic switching during emergencies and quick responses to changes in energy demand enable better management of crisis situations and help prevent disruptions in energy supply, improving the stability of the energy grid [52].
- A conventional network is characterized by unidirectional energy flow, meaning that energy is supplied from a single source (e.g., a power plant) to consumers. In a smart grid, bidirectional communication enables two-way energy flow, allowing for the integration of renewable energy sources and increasing the flexibility of the energy system.
- Traditional conventional networks are dominated by analog systems, which limit their ability to process, monitor, and control. A digital smart grid allows for faster and more accurate data processing, leading to better optimization of network operations.
- The conventional grid is based on centralized energy generation, involving large power plants and long transmission lines. In contrast, the smart grid supports distributed generation, enabling smaller-scale energy production (e.g., photovoltaic panels, wind turbines), which enhances energy efficiency and independence.
- Conventional networks typically have a low number of sensors, limiting their ability to monitor and respond quickly to changes in the system. A smart grid uses advanced technologies and a higher number of sensors, allowing for more accurate tracking of network parameters and real-time optimization of its operation.
- In traditional networks, the most commonly used architecture is radial, which has limitations in the event of a failure at one of its points. The smart grid, however, is based on a ring architecture, providing greater reliability and fault tolerance through multiple communication paths.
- Conventional networks offer limited work monitoring, making it difficult to detect and respond to irregularities in real time. In a smart grid, advanced technologies enable continuous monitoring and real-time control, improving operational efficiency and network security.
- Traditional networks are less vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their simpler structure and more closed control systems. In contrast, a smart, highly digitized network with a distributed architecture is more susceptible to cyberattacks, which requires the implementation of advanced security measures and ongoing protection monitoring.
3.3. Adaptation Strategies in the Polish Energy System
3.4. Scenarios for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and the Stability of Power Grids
- Optimistic scenario—The optimistic scenario assumes rapid and widespread development of renewable energy, supported by significant investments in network infrastructure, energy storage, and innovative energy management technologies. Poland effectively integrates energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries and pumped-storage power plants, which provide flexibility in the system and enable the accumulation of surplus energy from renewable sources to be used during periods of lower production. Another key pillar of stability is the implementation of smart energy networks (smart grids), which enable dynamic management of energy flow and real-time monitoring of supply and demand. These technologies allow the system to better integrate variable energy sources, such as wind and solar, minimizing the risk of overloads and blackouts. Regulatory support from the government and policies encouraging the development of local microgrids facilitate the decentralization of energy production and its more efficient management. Microgrids can operate independently or integrate with the main grid, offering greater stability, particularly in areas with a high density of prosumer installations. Additionally, widely implemented energy demand management programs allow for the active adjustment of consumption to match RES production, supporting overall system stability. As a result of these efforts, Poland achieves safe and sustainable development of the RES sector, while the power grid remains stable despite the dynamic growth in the share of renewable energy sources.
- Neutral scenario—This scenario assumes moderate development of RESs in Poland, supported by limited but progressively implemented investments in network infrastructure and stabilizing technologies. The development of renewable energy is primarily focused on photovoltaic and wind technologies (Figure 8), but investment and infrastructure constraints slow down the full integration of RESs with the national energy grid.
- Pessimistic scenario—This scenario assumes slow and ineffective development of RESs, with limited investments in infrastructure and a lack of government action. In this scenario, the growth of photovoltaics and wind energy faces significant barriers, primarily due to insufficient funding for expanding transmission infrastructure and energy storage. Regulatory restrictions and the absence of effective support systems for prosumers, as well as inadequate investments in modern stabilization technologies, lead to the destabilization of the power grid. The lack of energy storage development results in surplus energy from RESs often being unable to be effectively managed, increasing the risk of overloads and grid instability during peak production periods. The variability of energy supply from renewable sources causes frequent voltage fluctuations, leading to a greater risk of blackouts and costly grid upgrades. The centralization of energy production and the absence of local microgrids further complicate the management of distributed RESs. In such a scenario, Poland struggles with power system instability, and the development of RESs progresses slowly and ineffectively. The insufficient integration of renewable energy sources leads to higher costs for maintaining grid stability, and the country’s decarbonization and energy transformation efforts are severely hindered, threatening the achievement of European climate goals.
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Stage | The Methodology | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Literature Review | Understanding challenges and identifying technologies |
2 | Data Analysis | Examining trends and stability impacts of RESs |
3 | Scenario Development | Forecasting future challenges and solutions |
4 | Focus Areas | Energy storage, smart grids, and demand management |
Energy storage | One solution to the problems related to the instability of renewable energy sources is the development of energy storage systems. These systems can accumulate surplus energy produced during periods of high generation (e.g., during strong winds or intense sunlight) and then return it to the grid when demand exceeds production. However, in Poland, their number and capacity are still insufficient to fully balance fluctuations in energy production from renewable sources. The lack of appropriate storage means that excess energy produced during peak generation periods often cannot be stored for use during periods of lower production. Technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, pumped-storage power plants, and modern solutions based on hydrogen are crucial for grid stability. However, these technologies may also pose potential larger issues. For example, lithium-ion batteries carry the risk of thermal runaway, which can lead to severe malfunctions, and they may also generate significant economic problems, such as high costs for purchasing, maintaining, and disposing of these devices. |
Development of intelligent networks (smart grid) | The second important element is the development of smart energy grids, which allow for more efficient management of energy flow. Smart grids are systems that, through advanced information and communication technologies, enable dynamic adjustment of energy transmission based on demand, as well as automatic diagnosis and repair of network issues. These networks are better equipped to integrate variable energy sources and manage diverse demand sources, significantly increasing the stability of the system. |
Demand-side management technologies | Demand-side management technologies are also an important tool, as they allow for the flexible adjustment of energy consumption to production conditions. In the context of renewable energy, it is particularly important to introduce mechanisms that enable customers to adjust their energy consumption in response to market signals. For example, demand-side management programs can encourage customers to shift their energy consumption to periods when renewable energy production is high. |
Conventional Network | Smart Network |
---|---|
One-way | Two-way |
Analog | Digitized (digital) |
Centralized generation | Distributed generation |
Low number of sensors in the network | Highly sensorized network |
Radial architecture | Ring architecture |
Low level of work monitoring | Work monitored in real time |
Low vulnerability to cyberattacks | High vulnerability to cyberattacks |
Investments in transmission infrastructure | One of the priorities is the modernization and expansion of the transmission infrastructure. In many regions, the Polish power grid requires extensive modernization to effectively handle the dynamically growing number of distributed energy sources. PSE is currently implementing investment programs aimed at increasing the network’s capacity and improving its stability. According to the PSE report, “the expansion of the transmission infrastructure is key to integrating renewable energy sources on a large scale and ensuring the safe operation of the system”. |
Integration of the energy market with the European system | The integration of the Polish energy market with the European market is another step toward system stabilization. Joint cross-border projects, such as transmission connections with Germany, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania, enable better management of energy flows, especially in situations of surplus production from renewable energy sources in one country and deficits in another. Market integration supports system stability and increases the flexibility of energy management. |
Support policies and regulations | Government support policies and legal regulations are crucial for the further development of renewable energy sources. Continuing subsidy programs, support for energy storage systems, and the creation of an appropriate legal framework for the development of smart grid and demand management technologies will contribute to the stabilization of the energy system. |
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Bachanek, K.H.; Drożdż, W.; Kolon, M. Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies. Energies 2025, 18, 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18082036
Bachanek KH, Drożdż W, Kolon M. Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies. Energies. 2025; 18(8):2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18082036
Chicago/Turabian StyleBachanek, Konrad Henryk, Wojciech Drożdż, and Maciej Kolon. 2025. "Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies" Energies 18, no. 8: 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18082036
APA StyleBachanek, K. H., Drożdż, W., & Kolon, M. (2025). Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland and Stability of Power Grids—Challenges, Technologies, and Adaptation Strategies. Energies, 18(8), 2036. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18082036