In Poland, the Young Energy Europe (YEE) trainings started with two groups on May 12 in Warsaw and on September 5 in Poznan. Energy and resource efficiency represents a pressing issue in society and economy in Poland as well. This is why the Young Energy Europe qualification was particularly popular this year: record-breaking 70 Polish Energy Scouts qualified in 2023, more than ever before in a single country and year in the history of YEE! The motivations for participation were diverse and ranged from the desire to reduce costs in the face of rising energy prices to the fulfillment of existing ESG requirements.
At the end of the versatile training sessions, consisting of theoretical knowledge transfer, interactive workshops and a factory tour, 70 motivated participants presented the energy efficiency projects they had developed. On December 5, 2023, they gathered in Września near Poznan to take part in the award ceremony for the best projects of the YEE Edition 2023. On site, Energy Scouts, company representatives and the jury discussed the efficiency projects and gained inspiration for future energy efficiency projects.
The five-member Energy Scout team of Michał Jaszczak, Marta Serwatka, Paulina Karolewska, Katarzyna Jaworska and Paulina Kruszewska from NEUCA S.A. took first place from the Energy Scout class in Warsaw for the project “Photovoltaic carports in the office and warehouse complex”. The planned photovoltaic carports in the company’s parking lot not only serve to protect the parked vehicles from the weather, but to produce green energy also. Once the measure has been implemented, the company will be able to produce 661 MWh of electricity itself each year, saving 541 tons of CO2 per year.
The Energy Scouts from DP World Jakub Buryan, Wojciech Szypuliński, Radosław Kowalewski, Milena Błochowiak and Artur Kiszka were recognized as the winning team of the group in Poznan for their practical project “Photovoltaic systems using own forklift batteries”. Their efficiency project envisages a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 18.48 kWp which, thanks to the use of their own forklift truck batteries as buffer storage, makes cost-intensive modernization and acquisition measures for storage obsolete.
The practical projects of Greenyard Logistics Poland, No Limit, Rohlig Suus Logistics S.A., Schattdecor and Volkswagen Poznań were also honored. The certificates were presented by Dr. Lars Gutheil – Managing Director of the AHK Poland. The national award ceremony and the accompanying expert discussion were not only a recognition of the work done by the Energy Scouts and lecturers, but also a source of inspiration for future energy efficiency projects.
Moreover, the venue was not chosen by chance – following the award ceremony, the participants were given the opportunity to visit the Volkswagen plants with a focus on industrial sustainability and technological innovation. The event underlined once more that innovation and sustainability are closely linked and that the Energy Scouts can make an important contribution to energy efficiency efforts in companies.
Innovative Energy Scout projects were presented to the guests. ©VW Poznań
