Krzysztof Jamróz: 35 years of innovation
Conversation with Krzysztof Jamroz, Vice-President of the Management Board and Commercial Director at ZPUE SA
Since the inception of our company, there has been an unwavering drive for technical innovation. We continuously seek out novel solutions and ideas to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
ZPUE celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. How do you remember the beginnings of the company’s existence?
It was indeed a challenging period. Our company’s humble beginnings in a garage, alongside the competition with state-owned enterprises, posed significant obstacles. Financial resources were scarce, pushing us to maximize our creative capacities to bring ideas to life. Nevertheless, history demonstrates that a dedicated group of individuals can build something remarkable from scratch. The determined efforts of both owners and employees, who sacrificed and reinvested all earnings into growth, have propelled us to the point we stand at today.
ZPUE has earned its position as a prequalified supplier to nearly all European power plants due to its considerable generation potential and adaptability. Our portfolio encompasses solutions that are utilized across a wide spectrum of these markets.
Today, ZPUE is the leader in the production of transformer stations, not only in Poland, but also in Europe. What is the current market demand for these devices?
Transformer stations exhibit a significant degree of diversity in today’s landscape. Their configurations range from compact, externally operated setups in some markets, to more complex arrangements comprising multiple blocks in others.
With its remarkable generation capabilities and adaptability, ZPUE has established itself as a prequalified supplier for nearly all European power plants. Our extensive portfolio encompasses solutions that find application across a broad spectrum of these markets. In addition to distribution stations, we offer multi-component solutions designed for system stations or GPZ buildings, which encompass power transformer enclosures as well.
The whole world faces the challenge of what solutions to choose to maximize the use of RES, while maintaining the stability of power grids. Our company has been successfully working on this for years. We offer energy storage and solutions for solar and wind energy.
How has the Polish energy sector changed over the last three decades? What milestones do you see in this process?
Both the Polish and European energy sectors are compelled to stay aligned with the ongoing technological shifts in the market, and in Poland, we are actively keeping pace.
In the past, switchgears, particularly those operating at medium voltage levels, lacked essential features such as arc protection and interlocks for ensuring secure operation. ZPUE played a significant role in establishing norms where arc protection standards and interlocks for human safety during device operation became the standard for medium voltage switchgears. This advancement not only decreased the necessity for maintenance checks but also led to reduced associated costs.
The introduction of automation in networks marked another pivotal advancement. This facilitated remote monitoring of device positions and remote operations, eliminating the need for manual interventions by on-site personnel. As a result, the downtime during which energy supply was halted to consumers was significantly minimized.
At present, we are actively engaged in a crucial transformation involving the diversification of generation sources. Globally, the challenge revolves around selecting the optimal solutions to harness the potential of renewable energy sources (RES), all while preserving power grid stability. Our company has been at the forefront of addressing this challenge for years. We specialize in providing energy storage solutions, along with offerings tailored for solar and wind energy utilization.
How does the use of renewable energy sources affect the energy system?
Renewable energy source (RES) installations, such as wind and solar power, present a unique challenge due to their dependence on variable factors like sunlight and wind. Since we have no control over weather conditions, we must harness energy when these conditions are favorable and store it for future use. The unpredictable nature of these energy sources can potentially disrupt the stability of the power grid. However, the integration of supplementary devices can enhance grid stability, ensuring it remains operational without disruption. This underscores the importance of effective energy storage solutions to balance the intermittent nature of renewable energy and maintain a consistent power supply.
That is why it is best to build hybrids, combining photovoltaic and wind installations plus an energy storage. This enables optimal use of this power connection. Then the instability of the generating source is much lower, because the storage allows the use of the accumulated energy when it is needed.
Do large-scale or prosumer installations affect network destabilization?
During the initial surge of photovoltaic adoption, prosumer installations were often implemented without proper planning and oversight. Unfortunately, this has led to negative implications for network quality. The companies offering such services are often not adequately verified in terms of their authorizations for such installations. This situation poses significant risks to both prosumers and the overall network.
On a contrasting note, large-scale installations in Poland necessitate building permits and comprehensive analyses of their impact on the network. They are subjected to meticulous control measures. This process entails design procedures, securing building permits, and assessing the installation’s effect on the power grid. These evaluations are conducted by electricity distribution companies, ensuring that the installation won’t adversely affect the network. This systematic approach allows for a subsequent connection with a capacity that aligns with the installed capacity, a factor that’s often considerably oversized for RES installations.
This is where the concept of hybrids shines. Constructing hybrid systems that incorporate photovoltaic and wind installations alongside energy storage stands out as the optimal solution. This setup enables the most effective utilization of the power connection. The presence of energy storage significantly reduces the instability of the generating sources, since it facilitates the use of stored energy during times of need. By integrating these technologies, we not only enhance the overall stability of the network but also ensure the efficient use of the generated power.
What are the most important functions of energy storages designed by ZPUE?
Using lithium-ion cells for energy storage isn’t just about efficient energy usage, it also helps balance the network’s performance. This means adjusting things like reactive power, minimizing high power usage (peak shaving), and maintaining voltage levels in the network. The storage system also acts as a stabilizer for electricity. Moreover, these storage setups can follow a clever idea: they collect excess energy from solar or wind systems and store it, so you can tap into that energy even when those systems aren’t generating power.
We believe that the future will see the rise of large HUBs in the market. These hubs will feature charging stations and power stations housed in a single building. Outside, you’ll find devices similar to today’s fuel dispensers, where cars can be connected to charge. This approach offers remarkable flexibility and ensures the complete utilization of the station’s power capacity.
Charging stations are another new product group of ZPUE. What made you decide to enter the e-mobility industry ?
Since the beginning of our company’s journey, a relentless pursuit of technical innovation has been our driving force. We’re always on the lookout for fresh solutions and ideas. However, this industry isn’t entirely new to us, as it’s closely tied to our longstanding expertise. Charging stations are interlinked with transformer stations, which supply power to this equipment. To enhance installation cost-efficiency, we arrived at a crucial realization – these two elements should be integrated into a single unit.
We strongly believe that the market for expansive HUBs is on the horizon. These hubs will seamlessly blend charging stations with power stations in a unified building. Beyond, you’ll find devices akin to today’s fuel dispensers. Cars will conveniently connect to these devices for charging purposes. This ingenious approach ensures exceptional flexibility and unlocks the full potential of the station’s power capacity.
How do you think the electromobility market will develop in Poland and Europe?
As fossil fuels become increasingly scarce, we’ll be left with no option but to transition to alternative propulsion systems. Electric vehicles (EVs) will take center stage, along with vehicles powered by more accessible and cost-effective alternative fuels. Presently, hydrogen-powered vehicles are emerging, although they function on the principles of electricity as well. The development of vehicles with unconventional propulsion systems is undoubtedly on the horizon, and I firmly believe that the adoption of EVs will experience a substantial surge in numbers.
ZPUE
ZPUE stands as a power industry expert, focusing on manufacturing medium and low voltage switchgears, alongside container and pole transformer stations. Our commitment extends to the development and enhancement of novel technologies.
In anticipation of the energy transformation’s challenges, we’ve ventured into the production of extensive energy storage solutions. Additionally, we’ve embraced the burgeoning e-mobility market by offering fast charging stations for electric vehicles. This showcases our dedication to staying at the forefront of industry trends and advancing sustainable solutions.