Economical and efficient use of energy is promoted around the world as a model of conscious care for the environment in which we live. A mere change of habits in the use of energy can reduce its costs by 5% to 15%, and investments in energy-saving technologies can pay for themselves after just a few years. This case study shows how significant steps can be taken in saving energy in the building of public utility buildings through deep thermomodernization using renewable energy sources—compressor heat pumps and photovoltaics. The article presents a comprehensive thermomodernization of a school building made according to Polish regulations. A detailed description of the tested object is given, and the calculation procedure is described. Next, the optimal investment variant and ex post analysis are described. The implementation of these projects significantly improved the energy efficiency of the building and generated final energy savings of 80%, which will significantly reduce the school’s operating costs. Thanks to the applied improvements, it was possible to save 72.30% of thermal energy in the building, which directly translates into lowering the building’s operating costs. The improvement of energy efficiency indicators ranges from 66% for usable energy to almost 85% for non-renewable primary energy. Furthermore, by reducing the demand for energy used in the building by nearly 74%, we see a reduction in CO₂ emissions. The methods used were desk research and an extended case study of Poland, a country facing a number of problems related to energy prices during the energy crisis. In this article, we identify the challenges faced by Poland due to its geopolitical situation, and the solutions introduced to the difficult situation in the energy market come in the form of the thermomodernization of buildings. It was on this basis that Poland was selected as a case study.

Zero-emission buildings, which do not emit CO₂ or other greenhouse gases throughout their entire life cycle, play a crucial role in sustainable development and the fight against climate change. Achieving carbon neutrality in construction requires considering emissions associated with material production, construction, operation, as well as demolition and disposal. These buildings utilize energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and low-carbon materials, minimizing their environmental impact. The building sector accounts for a significant percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key area for climate action. In Poland, where aging and energy-inefficient buildings prevail, the need for a transition towards zero-emission buildings is particularly urgent. This paper assesses the feasibility and hurdles of retrofitting existing buildings to achieve zero emissions by utilizing renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic and heat pump technologies. The publication discusses the technical, economic, and legal aspects of this transformation, with particular emphasis on the Polish context and available support programs. The purpose of this publication is to disseminate practical knowledge and foster innovation among architects, investors, and decision-makers engaged in the development of a sustainable built environment. A key example is Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs), which generate as much energy as they consume over a year through technologies such as photovoltaic panels, solar collectors, and heat pumps. NZEBs combine effective insulation, energy-efficient systems, and smart energy management to minimize consumption, and may even produce excess energy that feeds back into the grid. Despite challenges in construction and maintenance, the increasing adoption of zero-emission and NZEBs worldwide reflects their long-term ecological, economic, and health benefits. The focus of this publication is to analyze the potential for transforming standard buildings, as defined by current regulations, into zero-emission buildings powered entirely by renewable energy sources. This case study analyzes the energy potential of a residential building located in Krakow, Poland. The building’s energy efficiency potential was assessed through computer simulations using Audytor OZC software (version 7.0 Pro, Sankom), taking into account local climate conditions and building standards. The study analyzed the impact of various strategies, such as upgrading thermal insulation, using energy-efficient windows, and installing photovoltaic panels, on energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Przedsiębiorczość szarej strefy

The article emphasizes the fact that industry clusters, as organisations, composing of various subsystems through mutual cooperation, are able to successfully attain the established objectives. Their capability to work efficiently is determined, however, by the quantity and quality of the knowledge they possess. Knowledge, as a component of intellectual capital, is currently the key strategic resource of clusters. Even more crucial is the way in which a manager of a cluster achieves, processes, transfers, and protects the knowledge. Assuming that knowledge management influences the results of a cluster, the article determines the significance of this process, and indicates the need for ceaseless development.

Prowadzenie własnej działalności gospodarczej wiąże się z pewnym wysiłkiem. Młodzi ludzie studiujący ekonomię i zarządzanie są do tego przygotowywani. Jednak tylko część z nich decyduje się na ten krok. Praca na własny rachunek wiąże się z ryzykiem i wyzwaniami. Co sprawia, że je podejmują i wychodzą ze swojej strefy komfortu? Czy istnieją pewne czynniki determinujące w tym zakresie? Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja postaw i zachowań przedsiębiorczych studentów w Polsce i na Ukrainie, a także analiza potencjalnych różnic w tym zakresie. Artykuł składa się z przeglądu literatury oraz analizy badań własnych, przeprowadzonych wśród studentów z Polski i Ukrainy (N = 293). Badanie dotyczy m.in. pozytywnych i negatywnych aspektów zakładania i prowadzenia własnej działalności gospodarczej przez młodych ludzi oraz ich motywacji. Do weryfikacji ewentualnych różnic pomiędzy badanymi grupami zastosowano analizę statystyczną. Autorzy wykorzystali statystyki opisowe oraz test niezależności chi-kwadrat (? = 0,05, p < ?). Przeprowadzone badania pozwoliły na weryfikację pięciu hipotez i wykazały istnienie istotnych statystycznie różnic pomiędzy młodymi ludźmi w analizowanych krajach w zakresie: rozpoczynania własnej działalności gospodarczej, samooceny swoich zdolności przedsiębiorczych oraz podejmowania pracy w trakcie studiów. Zysk nie jest najistotniejszym czynnikiem, który mógłby wpłynąć na decyzję o rozpoczęciu działalności gospodarczej. Podobnie prowadzenie działalności gospodarczej przez najbliższą rodzinę nie jest istotnym czynnikiem wpływającym na rozpoczęcie własnej działalności gospodarczej przez studentów.