Agreement with FORMASTER SA on energy technologies

The aim of the project is the design and development of industrial power plant installations using plasma technology. The cooperation entails the following:

• research on plasma technology at a specialised research station provided by FORMASTER SA, in accordance with the university’s guidelines
• design of a plasma burner fuelled by coal dust or low-energy fuel
• development of guidelines for plasma power plant project documentation
• joint actions in the field of obtaining funds for research and development.

On the part of AGH University, the project is headed by Professor Andrzej Gołdasz of the Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines at the Faculty of Energy and Fuels. The scholar specialises in thermodynamics, heating technology, and modern energy conversion methods.

Plasma technology in Poland and across the globe

All around the world, plasma technology has increasingly more applications in the energy sector, particularly in the USA, China, and South Korea. A perfect example is the Chinese project SWORD, an advanced linear plasma device that enables testing of materials for nuclear fusion reactors. It is part of a broader programme to develop fusion reactors that will provide clean and unlimited energy by 2050.

In Europe, plasma technology is used to support coal combustion in thermal power plants, improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. In countries such as Slovakia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan, plasma ignition systems have already been implemented in power boilers.

In Poland, plasma technology is currently in the phase of research and pilot implementation in the energy sector.

Experts indicate that plasma technology may play a key role in the future of the Polish energy sector – both in terms of decarbonisation and the effective management of municipal waste. Plasma gasification of waste enables the production of syngas, which can be used to generate energy, hydrogen or methanol, with minimal impact on the environment.