Scenario S1 - CHP and Seasonal Storage The scenario is built upon the reference pathway by incorporating a broader set of strategic investments designed to enhance system flexibility and improve economic performance. In addition to all measures included in the Reference scenario, this scenario foresees deploying natural gas‑fired engines, primarily for high‑efficiency CHP production. Their role is twofold: to generate additional revenue streams through electricity sales and CHP bonuses
Roadmap is not a static document, but a document that must be revisited regularly - for example, every second year.
In this context, it is important to keep the 2050 goal firm and make step-by-step decisions that support the established long-term goal. Development Scenarios Overview The development plan includes four scenarios (Reference, S1, S2, S3) that have been developed and assessed. Each scenario builds on the previous one, adding new technologies or system functions while maintaining full compliance with the CNP and EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Reference scenario The reference scenario assumes only the ongoing PEC Bytom investment projects. Under this pathway, approximately 4 MWt of sewage water heat pumps are planned for installation by 2030, followed by an additional 2 MWt heat‑pump capacity by 2035. It is further assumed that by 2030 all WR‑type boilers will be adapted for the combustion of wood pellets. This represents a low‑cost retrofit strategy, enabling the existing boiler fleet to utilise an environmentally friendly fuel while maintaining the technical ability to continue coal firing when economically justified. As an alternative to wood pellets, wood chips could also be considered. They are significantly cheaper than wood pellets, and available in higher quantities on the local market. However, adapting existing WR boilers to this fuel is much more expensive, which is the main reason for initially choosing wood pellets. Because biomass has a lower calorific value and produces more flue‑gas, pellet‑converted boilers are constrained by the capacity of existing flue‑gas fans, which cannot handle the increased volumetric flow at full load. For this reason, the scenario assumes a boiler capacity reduced to approximately 70% of the nominal thermal output during pellet firing. Biomass combustion is therefore limited to a level that ensures overall system efficiency while preserving operational flexibility—allowing coal firing when it delivers lower heat production costs while still meeting EED requirements. Reference scenario Roadmap Year Action 2026 no changes, 3 coal-fired boilers. 2030 heat pump 4 MWt, 3 coal-fired boilers converted to wood pellets. 2035 additional heat pump 2 MWt. 2040 increase the amount of burnt pellets to reach a 75% share of renewable heat (meeting EED requirements).
to strengthen the operational resilience of the heating system.
Due to their compactness and modularity, gas engines may be located outside the main heat‑plant site.
Challenges - there is no natural gas grid connection close to Radzionków heating plant (as of 2026), but the grid itself is already available in Radzionków city. If on-site access to the natural gas distribution grid is limited for gas-fired sources, the operation of these units may be supported through a long‑term lease of an LNG regasification station. In the longer term, however, the grid connection should be considered because of lower operating costs. The scenario anticipates intensive utilisation of gas engines during 2030–2045, maximising revenues from both electricity markets and CHP support mechanisms. Furthermore, the scenario includes installing a PTES (Pit Thermal Energy Storage) system with an indicative size of approx. 175 × 100 m, enabling seasonal utilisation of surplus thermal energy, enhanced operational optimisation during summer, reduced fossil‑fuel consumption, and the ability to respond to variable electricity prices.
Scenario S1 - CHP and Seasonal Storage Year Action 2026 no changes, 3 coal-fired boilers. 2030 heat pump 4 MWt, 2 CHP gas engines 1,2 MWt + 1,0 MWe each, 3 coal-fired boilers converted to wood pellets.
2035 2036
additional heat pump 2 MWt.
PTES fully operational (charged for the first time in 2035). increased amount of burnt pellets to reach a 75% share of renewable heat (meeting EED requirements). change in units’ stack due to EED requirements and end of CHP bonus support increase amount of burnt pellets to reach 100% share of renewable heat (meeting EED requirements); decarbonized natural gas used in gas engines.
2040
2045
2050
2050
increase the amount of burnt pellets to reach a 100% share of renewable heat (meeting EED requirements).
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