Green encyclopedia
Non-renewable energy sources – what are they, what disadvantages do they have, and do they have a future?
Non-renewable, or so-called traditional, energy sources have for decades been the foundation of energy systems around the world. Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are resources that, despite the growing popularity of alternative energy sources, still play a key role in the energy systems of many countries. This situation makes the energy transition, which will help free the global economy from fossil fuels, increasingly urgent. So, what is worth knowing about non-renewable energy sources?
Heat Pump Heating Curve – What Is It?
Heat pumps are devices that use thermal energy from the surrounding environment—water, ground, or air—to heat a building’s interior. They provide an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient way to ensure thermal comfort for occupants and, thanks to available subsidies, they do not necessarily have to be an expensive investment. Heat pump operation can be configured in several ways, including setting a fixed target temperature or linking performance to a heating curve. What exactly is a heat pump heating curve, and how should it be adjusted?
PV Inverter – How Does It Work?
A photovoltaic (PV) inverter is the heart of every solar power system, enabling the efficient use of generated electricity. Without it, even the most efficient PV panels would be useless. Read on to learn how a solar inverter works and how to choose the right one.
Cable Pooling – What Is It?
Cable pooling, or shared grid connection, is a relatively new solution designed to overcome limitations arising from the increasing number of devices connected to the national power grid. It was introduced into Polish law through an amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act of August 17, 2023. What exactly is cable pooling, and who can benefit from it?
Greenhushing – Is It a Consequence of Greenwashing?
Eco-friendly actions taken by businesses are not only a powerful competitive advantage but also an effective marketing tool. In many cases, they are also required under ESG reporting standards. Recently, however, a new trend has emerged among companies known as greenhushing. Why are businesses becoming reluctant to communicate their environmental efforts, and how does greenhushing affect consumers?
Energy class – what it is and what it means
When choosing household or office appliances, you’ll come across an energy class label. It visually represents how much electricity a device consumes and whether it is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Learn what energy classes are and how to interpret them.
What are oxygen trees and why is it worth planting them?
The fight against air pollution can take many forms, including planting vegetation that absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. In recent years, so-called OxyTrees, or oxygen trees, have been gaining popularity. What are they, and how can oxygen trees be used in urban environments as well as by large companies?
Cogeneration fee – what it is and how it affects your electricity bill
On your electricity bill, you’ll find many different charges. In addition to the amount for actual electricity consumption, customers also pay various distribution fees. Alongside the RES (renewable energy) fee, quality fee, capacity fee, and two types of network charges, there’s also the cogeneration fee. What is it, and how is it calculated?
Electricity production in Poland – how can the carbon footprint of the energy sector be reduced?
Planning global energy and energy security requires countries to develop so-called energy mixes. This refers to the structure of energy production and consumption, taking into account the energy carriers and methods of generation. For many years, Poland has been known for an energy mix dominated primarily by coal. Are these trends changing? What does the structure of electricity production in Poland look like?
Variable 24-hour network fee – what it is and how it affects your electricity bill
On the electricity bill you receive, there are several different charges. In addition to those related to the actual use of electrical energy, we also pay for the generation and transmission of power. An example of such a distribution cost is the variable 24-hour network fee. What is it exactly, how much does it cost, and is there any way to reduce it?
Unit of electric current – what is an ampere and how do we measure It?
Electric current is the orderly flow of electrons moving through a conductor under the influence of electric forces. For devices connected to the power grid to operate properly, the current supplied must meet specific parameters. One of the key values used to indicate the “quality” of electricity is its current intensity. But what exactly is the unit of electric current?
When was electricity discovered? The history of its discovery and the development of electric power
Most of us no longer realize that life without electricity today would be practically impossible. Yet humanity only learned to harness electric power in the 19th century with the invention of the first electric cell, even though we were aware of the existence of atmospheric discharges much earlier. Who, then, discovered electricity—and when?