Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Big Cities in Poland in the Context of Urban Policy

Abstract

Development of renewable energy sources (RES) is a crucial factor, influencing diversification of energy sector. Popularization of renewable energy projects has a key significance in building energy security system in Poland, therefore most of strategic decisions concerning RES are taken on the country level, and basing on EU directives, general development directions are also formed there. Implementation of assumptions referring to RES is conveyed to administrative organs of lower level. Due to the fact that the most important challenges concerning energy sector transformation, including RES projects, refer to multifunctional urban areas, it is crucial to analyze, what way urban self-government authorities put these tasks of initiating and implementing pro-ecological enterprises of RES sector in practice. Taking into account the fact that renewable energy development in cities is a leading element of urban policy, implementing directives of sustainable development and the fact that actions for RES promoting are indispensable factor influencing low carbon economy development, it is assumed that renewable energy is an important pillar of low-carbon economy in cities. Taking the above into account, the research purpose is to make analyze of initiatives and actions within renewable energy development in big cities, taken up by self-government authorities, outlined in strategic documents. Present research will be carried out in reference to real RES structure and dominant directions of RES development in cities selected for tests. Study results will enable to predict RES sector development in urban areas, as necessary condition of low-carbon economy in Polish cities.