The paper presents a review of the geological and hydrogeological data of the Lower Cretaceous aquifer in the Polish Lowlands and discusses the possibilities for the utilisation of geothermal water resources in existing and new district heating systems. Based on experience related to the use of thermal waters in existing geothermal systems, and using data from the literature, assessments have been made of the energy and environmental effects of the application of low-enthalpy geothermal resources from the Lower Cretaceous aquifer as a source of heat for urban district heating systems. The authors concluded that the implementation of such solutions could result in the production of approximately 4 PJ of geothermal energy annually. To date, these resources have only been developed in three locations—Mszczonów, Uniejów and Poddębice—with the total amount of energy generated annually reaching 100 TJ/year. Similar district heating networks in 120 nearby localities have been also identified. Here, specified geological and hydrogeological conditions enable the extraction of heat from the investigated Lower Cretaceous aquifer, with the aim of using this for heating purposes. To achieve this goal, multiple measures are required, including the following: raising public awareness through appropriate education programmes aimed at the youngest school children; systemic, efficient energy management measures at the central, regional and local levels, and providing financial support and ensuring regulations and laws aimed at improving the development of geothermal resources.

Health impacts and a decrease in the quality of life caused by air pollution is a major problem worldwide. Krakow is one of the most affected cities in the EU by air pollution mostly caused by burning solid fuels in households’ furnaces. It is considered that the most effective remedies would be adequate spatial planning solutions and application of low-emission sources including renewable energy sources (RES). This article draws from the analysis of the use of RES as a means for reducing harmful emissions in Krakow Functional Area (KrOF). The inventories of renewable energy sources and systems were compiled by the authors as a part of the EU project “Smart Edge—Sustainable Metropolitan Areas and the Role of The Edge City”. Using the data from the inventories, a SWOT analysis has been carried out to identify factors that determine the smart management of the RES potential, particularly the decisions of households on the transition towards RES. The results of the analysis have shown that many actions have been taken at the national, regional, and local levels but the greatest influence bear the solutions initiated and implemented at the communal level. The conclusion is that legislative regulations should be combined with locally tailor-made instruments. The proposed method of analysis can be applied in other metropolitan areas as a diagnostic procedure supporting action planning to solve air-quality problems caused by distributed emission sources.

Nowadays, numerical modelling is a common tool for supporting the research of geothermal systems. Due to the development of computer sciences and access to software dedicated to numerical modelling of hydrogeological processes this is possible. Research can schematise hydrogeological conditions and simulate the work of geothermal systems and thermal water intakes. Research creates numerical models of geothermal systems at the regional and local scale for simulating work of specific thermal waters for example. In connection with the economic development of the use of thermal waters in Poland there are many research projects where numerical modelling occurs as a primary tool. This paper provides an overview of research issues where the solution to the problem was found by using computer applications and numerical simulators.

In cooperation of 5 partners from 4 counties (Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania), among them 1 public and 1 private university, 2 NGOs, 1 public research institute there are under realization concept to design a European educational in the ERASMUS Funding Scheme. The main objectives of the research are: 1) creation a curriculum concept with the participating countries in the professional advanced education area, in the topics: environmental -, nature-, and climate protection, 2) assessment of scope of realized research based on a research about existing furthering education programs, experiences, needs and requirements in the participating countries; 3) design of innovative training methods and combination of theoretical knowledge with practical key skills; 4) works in a complex environment that requires an interdisciplinary approach; 5) preparation of first test run of the course by exchanging potential trainers and trainees within the participating countries. The paper presents the research issues in the field of geoengineering and the use of renewable energy sources. The idea of the project is to open new chances on a futureoriented segment of the labor market for unemployed academic graduates, university dropouts and unemployed professionals, who have gained a multidisciplinary and yet very specific knowledge.