On November 18-20, 2019, a study visit of the Working Group on Air Protection and Energy operating within the framework of the national network of environmental bodies and institutions managing EU funds "Partnership: Environment for Development" took place in Wrocław.
At the GEO-3EM complex of the Wrocław University of Technology which is a research and technology transfer center for the sustainable use of raw materials and energy, participants were presented with a way of approaching the issue of environmental protection in the technologies studied. In particular, achievements of laboratories listed below were presented:
- Laboratory for Intelligent Objects Sensors and Data Transmission Systems,
- Laboratory for Vehicle's Dynamics and Safety,
- Accredited Belt Transport Laboratory,
- Hydrometallurgical Processes Laboratory.
In addition, during meetings on campus participants learned about the effects of the work of an innovative sensor network for measuring dust concentrations on the Main Campus of the Wrocław University of Technology. There were presented possibilities of using low-cost measurement systems, measurement methodology, spatial analysis and results of tests carried out so far, among others. Issues concerning the measurement of odor emissions were also discussed, including the method of odor assessment of air quality and the method of dynamic olfactometry, in which the main types of emission sources (point, volume, surface) were discussed. In this part of the meeting, participants were given the opportunity to visit the accredited Laboratory of Olfactometric Research and take part in the determination of the fragrance concentration by means of smell, using an olfactometer.
During the visit there were also organized lectures at the Institute of Territorial Development, presenting the air quality monitoring system in the Lower Silesian Voivodship, the implementation of tasks related to air protection and the introduction of new concepts in the context of air protection programs. The origins, the course of the process of creating and implementing anti-smog resolutions, and the rules of proceeding in accordance with the "low carbon policy" were also discussed.
The visit ended with a meeting in the Oławski Energy Cluster, active in the renewable energy sector. In 2012, a Research and Development Center for the use of renewable energy sources in production processes was established on its premises, with a prototype workshop, production, logistics and storage hall. On this basis, the first plant for the production of medical articles in zero CO2 emission technology was created in Poland. It was also presented how the cluster's tasks focus on ensuring local energy security based on renewable energy sources, improving the state of the natural environment, as well as increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of the local economy.
The visit was financed under the project "Continued support for the functioning of the network of environmental bodies and institutions managing EU funds "Partnership: Environment for Development" in 2018-2019" co-financed from the Cohesion Fund under the Operational Program Technical Assistance 2014-2020.