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Construction of an Intelligent Heating System, optimization of the operation of the heating network in Lublin, education of students, doctoral students and employees of Lublin University of Technology as well as development of the staff of the Lublin Municipal Thermal Energy Company (LPEC), are the goals of the agreement which was signed on April 19, 2023 between the university and the company.

- The symbiosis of the university and the city, its inhabitants and enterprises is one of the foundations of development today. I am convinced that the established cooperation, which translates into the realization of research and implementation projects supporting the development of smart specializations of the Lublin economy, will additionally strengthen the academic and economic position of Lublin. In addition to a number of activities, such as optimization of the operation of the heating network in Lublin, education of students, doctoral students and employees, the signed agreement will result in strengthening the offer and availability of services for entities operating in the field of new technologies, research and development. As part of the cooperation between LPEC and LUT, we will work together on modern and effective solutions for the supply of heat energy to our homes, institutions and enterprises – assured Dr. Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin.

The agreement assumes close cooperation between LPEC and LUT in the field of scientific research, technological innovations, training, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience between the scientific staff and specialists in the heating industry. The aim of the cooperation will be the design and implementation of new technologies as well as technical and organizational solutions that will contribute to increasing the energy efficiency of the district heating network in Lublin and reducing CO2 emissions.

– Lublin University of Technology has infrastructure, potential and staff who, in addition to competence, also have ideas that we will be able to implement together with LPEC. In turn, a municipal company is a place where such solutions find fertile ground. I count on this cooperation, which will certainly be valuable both for the inhabitants of Lublin, the company, as well as for our scientists and students – said Prof. Zbigniew Pater. And he added: Our cooperation with LPEC has been going on for 20 years. This agreement, however, enables its intensification, and the synergy effect obtained will allow conducting scientific research in an even wider scope. This is another important document that creates new learning and development opportunities for our students and employees.

Marek Goluch, the President of the Management Board of LPEC, was of similar opinion: - The agreement is an important step in our preparations for the energy transformation. Joint research work, developed, innovative solutions and knowledge exchange will constitute a solid foundation for our company in achieving sustainable development and environmental protection. For our part, we will provide the university with access to modern infrastructure and real measurements of energy parameters, which will allow it to conduct scientific research at the highest level.

The first projects to be implemented under the agreement will concern the construction of the Intelligent Heating System and optimization of the operation of the district heating network in Lublin. As part of the Intelligent Heating System, the partners will conduct research on the habits of residents of multi-family residential buildings that affect the heat demand of the entire building. The aim of the research will be to create a model for regulating heating substations that will ensure optimal thermal comfort in the building with minimal consumption of primary energy.

What will the work consist of? – Our task is to develop a model and definition of a smart heating network. Among other things, artificial intelligence algorithms created by our scientists will be used for this purpose, using data from buildings and the heating network - explained Prof. Dariusz Czerwiński, Vice-Rector for General Affairs and Development and Head of the Department of Computer Science.

Another project will concern the development of software for monitoring water losses from the heating network. The developed solution will allow for precise and quick identification of leaks in the network, reducing heat losses and thus reducing operating costs and CO2 emissions.

- Intelligent heating systems use advanced management and monitoring systems to efficiently supply heat to buildings. Such systems integrate a whole range of elements: from heat sources through transmission networks to heating substations in buildings and end users, as well as communication tools and management software, in order to optimize thermal energy management. Thanks to advanced management and monitoring algorithms, such systems can adjust heat production to the current needs of buildings, avoiding energy waste. Ultimately, as part of the intelligent heating system, it will be possible to integrate it with renewable energy sources, such as solar and geothermal energy or biomass, which will allow for sustainable management of thermal energy for the entire city – said President Marek Goluch.

The agreement between LPEC and Lublin University of Technology is an important step towards achieving the goals related to energy transformation, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the process of decarbonisation of the energy sector.

The participants of the meeting also emphasized that Lublin is a good place to work. - Thanks to such cooperation, we send a signal to students that there are companies in our city that can provide them with employment and professional development. This is an opportunity for them to gain new experience and practical knowledge about the latest technological possibilities and innovative solutions - said Prof. Beata Kowalska, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering. She announced that it was for the needs of the labor market that the field of power engineering was created at the Faculty. – When creating fields of study, we need knowledge on what kind of graduates employers need and with what sort of competences and skills. That is why cooperation with LPEC is so important to us. I hope that the graduates of both the new field of power engineering as well as environmental engineering will be valuable employees for the company. All the more so that our students have been doing internships or practical placements at LPEC for many years and writing their diploma theses with the support of engineers from the company.