Poland | Probing sustainable transport and hydrogen economy
The next study visit of the EXPRESS project was organized on October 24-25, 2023, by Rzeszów Regional Development Agency (RRDA). Theme of the visit was sustainable urban transport and the development of hydrogen-based economy. The attendees were not only partners from Finland, Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, but also representatives of the local authorities of the city of Rzeszów and the city of Sanok, as well as the representatives of institutions responsible for public transport and the implementation of new technologies based on the development of the hydrogen economy, which will significantly contribute to the energy transformation of the region and, as a result, to achieving energy independence.
Any actions leading to sustainable transport in cities are a huge challenge nowadays. The continuous development of cities and the constant increase in their inhabitants’ places demands on the development of urban transport infrastructure. Therefore, city mayors strive to develop other alternative means of transport. Many of them already offer their residents the possibility of efficient and safe transportation, e.g. by bicycles or scooters. City residents are also encouraged to abandon private cars and switch to public transport (buses, trams, subways, trains). To this end, city authorities are constantly working on the development of new communication lines, their integration and counteracting communication exclusion, especially in newly emerging districts. Despite the already existing solutions, there is still a lot to be done in the field of sustainable urban transportation, which is not only to serve the inhabitants, but also to contribute to improving the quality of the natural environment.
The city of Rzeszów - the capital of innovation and at the same time the capital of the Podkarpackie Region, is a leader in the above-mentioned theme, which is why intelligent solutions in the field of urban transport were one of the main topics of the visit. The participants also shared their own achievements in that area. The second theme was the development of the hydrogen economy. Energy transformation based on modern technologies, renewable energy sources and striving to achieve energy neutrality is the main goal of the modern world. A visit to the Sanok City Hall and the presentation of the city's detailed plans regarding the implementation of a project based on the development of the hydrogen economy was one of the highlights of the visit. In line with the theme of the project, which aims to promote activities related to energy self-sufficiency in the field of renewable energy sources, a mandatory programme item was also a visit to the hydroelectric power plant in Solina, which belongs to Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex Solina-Myczkowce.
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