On Saturday, the next edition of the symbolic Earth Hour campaign will take place, when the lights will go out for 60 minutes. Dr. Marcin Szczygieł from the Silesian University of Technology pointed out that during this time, electricity will be produced anyway, and rapid fluctuations in power consumption are harmful to the system.
WWF Earth Hour is a cyclical campaign during which, on a specific day and at a specific hour (this time Saturday, 8:30 p.m.), people in different parts of the world turn off their lights for 60 minutes in a symbolic gesture of concern for nature.
Commenting for PAP, Dr. Marcin Szczygieł from the Silesian University of Technology assessed that, of course, it is always worth paying attention to the problem of ecology, but large-scale shutdown of electricity receivers for an hour is harmful to the infrastructure of the power system.
“Although we will not be using any energy during this hour, the power plants are still working all this time, producing energy, which will result in a temporary and unused surplus. The power plants are prepared for such a situation, but the reduction in energy production is associated with a decrease in the efficiency of the power unit, which in turn leads to a deterioration in economic indicators and unit emissions. In addition, by switching on many receivers again after this hour, at one time, we will cause a sudden jump in power consumption, which also negatively affects the stability of the system,” he said.
He added that fluctuations in power consumption are inadvisable for the entire power system, including infrastructure, and for the devices or receivers themselves. “The voltage surges in the network accelerate the aging process of receivers, and may even lead to their destruction,” said Marcin Szczygieł.
Moreover, he continued, if we suddenly increase energy consumption in a large part of a city, for example, it may cause disruptions in the system.
“Therefore, if we really want to save electricity, it would be better to manage it sensibly on a daily basis. However, I have the impression that currently, when we have a lot of energy, and often in excess, we forget about saving it in our daily habits,” said the vice-dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology.
On the other hand, for some receivers it is better when the consumption of electricity is continuous, smooth, than if we turn something off and then on again a moment later. “An example are LED bulbs. In their case, it is more beneficial when such a bulb is on for a longer time than when it is turned on and off, because it was designed for a specific number of on and off cycles,” the scientist said.
As reported by WWF, this year, 50 cities and institutions have declared their participation in the Earth Hour campaign, including the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland and the Chancellery of the Senate; the ministries of climate, health, digitalization, interior, development and funds. In Warsaw, the Palace of Culture, Złote Tarasy Shopping Center, the Royal Castle and the University of Warsaw Library will be turned off. The lights will also be turned off in Gdańsk, where the Neptune Fountain and the New Town Hall will be turned off.
In addition, as part of the Earth Hour campaign and Poland's presidency of the EU Council, WWF has sent a petition to the Prime Minister to establish a fund for the restoration of natural resources within the EU budget, which will support the protection and restoration of nature by governments, local governments or public institutions. It can be signed on the WWF website. (PAP)
acp/ bar/ amac/
