The Veolia Polska Foundation has launched a call for applications for the second edition of the "Together for the Region" program, which supports local initiatives for ecological transformation. The 60 best projects will receive funding.

The Veolia Polska Foundation competition committee is waiting for applications to be submitted until March 29, 2026. This year's grant amount is up to PLN 20,000 gross for the implementation of an individual project.

The program is aimed at:

An interview with Piotr Sprzączak, development director, member of the management board of Veolia ESCO, about the future of energy and heat management in buildings.

What is a self-sufficient housing estate?

A building is self-sufficient in terms of energy if the energy needed for heating, preparing hot water and providing electricity does not have to be supplied from outside. Therefore, it is the ability to independently meet the total energy demand by using your own, usually renewable sources. 

What does energy self-sufficiency mean?

An energy-self-sufficient building does not need external energy supplies. It independently produces the energy needed for electricity, heating and hot water. Homes that are completely independent often do not even require connection to the public grid. How it's working? One of the processes leading to energy self-sufficiency is the conversion of renewable energy (e.g. from photovoltaic panels) into electricity. The electricity obtained in this way can also power a heat pump that takes care of heating and domestic hot water.

What is microgeneration?

Renewable energy sources play an important role in the energy industry, and their share in the domestic market increases every year. Both private individuals and enterprises decide to become independent from public suppliers by investing in, among others, photovoltaic panels. This is where the concept of microgeneration comes into play. What does it mean? It is a combination of electricity and heat production in very low power generation units. In this way, the buildings take over the function of small power plants.

What is cogeneration?

Cogeneration is a technology that enables the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Such a combined process is aimed at more effective use of primary energy from the same source (e.g. natural gas, biogas, biomethane, hydrogen). 

What is climate neutrality?

The pursuit of climate neutrality involves the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, a decline of 20, 30 or even 50% is not enough. Emission reduction close to 100% is necessary. - only then will climate neutrality be realistic. What does it mean? The company is supposed to emit the same amount (or less) of greenhouse gases, which it is able to compensate through various activities. 

The most important trends in renewable energy

Renewable energy is the future of energy. There is no doubt about it, considering the growing problem of environmental pollution and European climate policy. The development of the energy sector is therefore focused primarily on intensifying investments in renewable energy sources and modifying the energy mix. New technologies in energy support these aspirations through changes in the production, distribution and consumption of energy. The most important of them include:

What is real-time energy management?

New energy management systems are based on technologically advanced solutions that are designed to optimize energy consumption and increase the reliability of supplies. Increasingly, these are intelligent systems that allow for monitoring and control of energy processes in real time. Systems of this type consist of meters, sensors and controllers that provide data to one central location. There, remote monitoring and control of the system operation takes place, ensuring its maximum efficiency and optimization.

What are PPAs?

PPA/cPPA contracts are an increasingly popular way of obtaining energy from renewable sources. What is that? A PPA/cPPA, i.e. (Corporate) Power Purchase Agreement, is a formal, usually long-term commercial contract to which the parties are the electricity producer and the entity purchasing it. According to it, the manufacturer is obliged to provide a specified amount of energy (from a specified source and within a specified time). The recipient's task, in turn, is to purchase and pay for energy according to the price agreed in the contract.