The station is part of a larger system using methane from the mines to produce electricity and hot water in cogeneration engines. Hot water feeds the systems in the air conditioning station, where it is converted into cooling in the form of chilled water. This ensures that methane is used as efficiently as possible, benefiting both the environment and the economy. The entire system operates in a closed circuit, which reduces water consumption and the amount of process wastewater discharged.
“All station buildings, including connections and chilled water pipelines, were constructed on the surface. The pipelines between the facilities and the desalination plant are also ready. Work is underway to equip the main building with technological installations, ventilation, automation, and electrical systems,” says Grzegorz Musioł, investment department manager at the Knurów-Szczygłowice mine, adding: “Further elements of the system are being installed in the tank and boiler room building. At the same time, work is underway on the development of the site: roads, footpaths, green areas, external sewage systems, and a gas connection to the boiler room are being built.”
Once the project is complete, the station will provide 7.2 MW of cooling power to the mine, with the possibility of expanding to 10.8 MW.
“Cooling will be produced in cooling units using both absorption chillers (powered by hot water from cogenerators) and compressor chillers. During the winter, the system will utilize natural conditions known as free cooling, which will reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency,” explains Krzysztof Krzemień, deputy head of the ventilation department at the Knurów Section.
Equipment and installations for trial runs are currently being prepared. The entire project is scheduled for completion in August 2026. It will then be possible to start producing and transporting chilled water to underground mining areas.
Central air conditioning will support accessing high-quality coking coal, enabling safe mining of deep seams, increased production, stable working conditions, and long-term development of the mine in the coming years of mining operations.
