GreenHours.eu - Use electricity when the sun is shining

What are Green Hours?

Alongside the threats of climate catastrophe awareness, driven among others by obtaining electricity from coal-burning mines, initiatives occur which need attention when planning what and when we do.

Polish Power Networks slowly applied the Energy Compass application this year, showing real-time generated electricity when it's best to operate our electronic devices.

"We want to create this as a fashion, somewhat like waste segregation. Using green hours reminds us that we are part of a great ecosystem, and peace of mind for tomorrow depends on us"
— Piotr Krupa-Lubański, Democracy Without Intermediaries Foundation

Information Function

Such an information function is undoubtedly important, because at this time in general the electricity and energy system is not understood by anyone, and with such tools we can help operators better balance energy production.

— Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk, Forum Energii

Clean Energy Certificates

Another idea is creating clean energy certificates that small businesses like cafes and hair salons could advertise with. Advertising banners would indicate they reasonably use electricity when it's produced from RES.

Environmental Impact

If we were very disciplined, by using green hours, we could burn annually up to 2 million tons less coal

Potential Coal Savings

If we were very disciplined, by using green hours, we could burn annually up to 2 million tons less coal. The real number is half of that, because electricity production from RES depends more on whether it's sunny and windy.

— Piotr Krupa-Lubański, Democracy Without Intermediaries Foundation

60%

Summer RES share

9-16

Green hours

Coal savings

Coal Reduction

Up to 2 million tons less coal annually

Wind turbines generating renewable energy

Wind farms saving thousands of coal wagons

Wind Energy

Record-breaking wind farm production in June

RES Production Records

Windy and sunny weather in June brought successive records in electrical energy production by wind farms. According to Wysokienapiecie.pl, only on June 19, it saved thousands of rail wagons with coal and adequate amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere. RES demand covered more than 60 percent of the country's power needs.

Peak Hours

Typically 9:00-16:00 when RES dominates

Most Electricity from Coal, But...

Most electricity in Poland is still produced from coal, but there are hours when up to 60 percent of summer energy needs come from RES.

During those hours, typically between 9:00 and 16:00, when all households had washing machines, ovens, dishwashers, dryers on, they would essentially run on a fourth quarter of national coal consumption.

This would shift to enormous coal savings, i.e., lower CO₂ emissions.

Ecology at Home

Photovoltaic Installations in Poland

In Poland there are already about 1.3 million photovoltaic installations

People using them in principle don't need to be convinced to be interested in green hours.

Both widespread green hours and using household wind power when most electricity is from RES could help solve this problem. The Democracy Without Intermediaries Foundation also believes that green hours allow for partially developing the problem of so-called empty hours.

The Empty Hours Problem

Considering that the Polish energy grid is in poor condition, that it needs to shift current from Gdańsk to Silesia (and vice versa), about which it would be difficult to do locally. PSE is often unable to use electricity produced by photovoltaic panels, voltage in the grid is growing, which leads to shutting off parts of installations, which we've already had several times.

Investment in Grid Development

Above all, however, it's necessary to invest in the grid development, announce enormous numbers of transformers. Then you can send produced electricity from photovoltaic panels to nearby large cities, where each city zone can be used without problems. Such flexibility should start with creating energy storage to which you could send excess grid electricity to ensure using all available equipment, without the need to turn off coal blocks.

At this stage, green hours may help guide us toward more thoughtful energy policies in our own homes. Instead of satisfaction, which is completely understandable - you can separate from toxic polluting planets burning fossil fuels. At the same time, however, you can also see financial benefits from such financing.

How to Economically Use Electrical Energy?

Turn on the washing machine at the right moment - support renewable energy development and reduce coal consumption

Lower Bills

Reduce costs with proper scale and optimization

A Clear Signal for the Energy System

Including devices at the appropriate hour is a clear signal for the energy system. And managing it in these shipments, is linked to the tariff we pay for electricity. With the appropriate scale and optimization of submission you can reduce costs, and from another angle it could translate into lower bills.

Check green hours

Plan energy usage

Save money

Smart meters display real-time data

Dynamic Tariffs

15-minute tariffs since July 1st - prices change frequently

The Value of Transformation

Complete transformation in this scope is also important and worth it, but it's worth already looking at this theme now, and when used household equipment is used. So just like we are part of the ecosystem of the planet, so we have the same influence on the shape and speed of energy transformation in our country.