28 October 2025On October 23–24, an important event for the LIFE AFTER COAL PL project took place: a two-day conference titled “Renewable Energy Days: Transformation for Future Generations.”
The main theme was the global challenges and opportunities associated with the energy transition, with a particular focus on the transition to climate neutrality (NET ZERO).
The first day of the event took place at the Marshal’s Office of the Wielkopolska Province. Jacek Bogusławski, a member of the Wielkopolska Provincial Executive Board, opened the conference as host, while Prof. Ph.D. Eng. Hieronim Maciejewski, Chairman of the Board, Director of the Poznań Science and Technology Park.
Timon Wehnert opened the presentations by outlining a vision of the future of the world and individual countries once climate neutrality is achieved, and highlighting the key role of Europe and the Life After Coal PL program in this process. Dr. Yi-kuang Chen then discussed the lessons learned from Europe’s energy transition, pointing out the most significant challenges for the future.
Panel dyskusyjny, zatytułowany Policy Lab jako narzędzie integracji wiedzy i praktyki w procesie transformacji Wschodniej Wielkopolski, zgromadził ekspertów takich jak dr Justyna Adamska – prowadząca dyskusję i reprezentująca Poznański Park Naukowo-Technologiczny, Marzena Andrzejewska-Wierzbicka – Dyrektor Departamentu Zarządzania Środowiskiem i Klimatu UMWW, prof. Ph.D. Paweł Churski – Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Dr. Magdalena Szmytkowska – University of Gdańsk, Dr. Janusz Zyśk, Eng. – AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, and Dr. Joanna Mazurkiewicz – Institute of Structural Research. The panelists shared their experiences and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and local initiatives in the energy transition process.
Following the panel discussion, Jowita Maćkowiak, Director of the Wielkopolska Regional Planning Office, presented an analysis of the potential for renewable energy sources in the Wielkopolska Province. Next, Dr. Łukasz Lindner addressed the role of hydrogen in the decarbonization of industry and transportation, discussing the technological and economic challenges involved.
The next presentation, by Dr. Agata Mielcarek, focused on the challenges facing renewable energy—from grid integration programs to component recycling—as well as on opportunities for regional development and new industries. Dr. Janusz Zyśk spoke about the practical aspects of the Green Deal, pointing out the tensions between decarbonization and the destabilization of the energy sector and emphasizing the need for small steps toward climate neutrality.
Georgi Stefanov of the Brown to Green Platform discussed regional climate strategies, highlighting the transition of coal-dependent regions toward climate neutrality, while Prof. Dominika Narożna, Ph.D., of Adam Mickiewicz University emphasized the importance of effective communication and education in the green transition, noting the need to build informed and engaged communities.
On the second day of the conference, we moved to the Poznań Science and Technology Park. Agata Kuźmińska, President of the Green Future Institute Foundation, led a workshop on electromobility, and participants had the opportunity to work in groups on practical exercises to plan the city of the future. Next, Marek Gruchalski, a representative of the Association for Social Cooperatives, spoke about green public procurement, highlighting the opportunities that its implementation in local government units brings. Finally, Kinga Świtalska from the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management presented funding sources for renewable energy.
The Renewable Energy Days proved to be an exceptional platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences among researchers, practitioners, government officials, and business representatives, enabling a collaborative search for solutions for a sustainable energy future.
7 May 2026