Geoenergy in Poland

This paper presents the current state of geothermal energy production in Poland and its future development prospects. At present, there are four geothermal heating plants in Poland. In addition, warm water is used in seven spa towns in balneology as well as in seven thermal swimming pools for recreational purposes. There has recently been an increase in the number of installed heat pumps in Poland - reaching 10,000 in 2010. In the near future the development of geothermics in Poland is forecast to continue. The first power and heat geothermal plant is being built in Uniejow whilst in more than ten other towns special swimming pool complexes using geothermal warm water are being built or designed. In the coming years heat pumps will be installed in living and office buildings as well as in public use buildings (mostly in newly built ones). Moreover, in Poland it is planned to use heat pumps in order to recover waste heat from factories and power plants. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.