Paper short abstract:

Analysis of meteorological data and energy consumption for the last two decades in Poland show an increase in the demand for electricity during heat waves and frosts. This leads to question in the public discourse the renewables as not as reliable as conventional energy sources.

Paper long abstract:

Polish power grid is operating at the limit of its efficiency. However, requiring modernization and huge financial outlays, it still supplies electricity to households and enterprises. This happens despite the ever-increasing demand for energy.

The electricity supply system is also vulnerability due to the consequences of the climate change. Meteorological extremes expose infrastructure to damage. We focus on a slightly different aspect, namely temperature extremes - heat waves and frost waves.

Frequency and severity of heat waves are increasing. We look at the meteorological data on temperature values and compare them with the data on energy consumption in the last two decades in Poland. The analysis shows that in the period of heat waves and frost waves in Poland the demand for electricity increases significantly. It is important because at this time, apart from the increase in consumption, the efficiency of the already sensitive electricity production system decreases. This is due to the characteristics of the studied meteorological phenomena, during which significantly lower wind speeds, more intense evaporation and less precipitation are noted.

Therefore it can be concluded that at the moment the answer in crisis moments are not only renewable energy sources, but a diversification of energy sources. Nevertheless, that fuels the public discourse on conventional energy production as the most reliable, omitting the fact that it results in climate change and further decrease of its efficiency.

Acknowledgements: This research has been funded by the National Science Center of Poland under the grant number: 2018/31/B/HS4/03223