The majority of today was spent at ČEZ Group. We got to learn about the company, explore the factories, and even see a current brown coal mine that supplies coal for the power plant. We learned that the company is continuously moving toward cleaner energy sources that are less harmful to the environment, such as solar and wind energy. However, due to the weather conditions in the Czech Republic, these sources are not always reliable, so nuclear and biomass energy are also being considered.
The coal mine was much larger than I had previously imagined, and it moves 100 meters every year. The machines used to mine the rock and clay before reaching the coal layer were massive and cost around $95 million each. These machines are so powerful that they require direct energy from the plant to operate, with about 5% of the plant’s energy going directly to the mining process.
One thing I especially liked about the mine was the strong focus on the environment. First, the use of coal is beginning to decrease as other forms of energy continue to grow. Additionally, as the mining progresses in one direction, the hillside is rebuilt layer by layer to preserve the structure and stability of the mountain. There is also funding set aside to plant trees and other vegetation to help rebuild the ecosystem. The visit showed me that ČEZ prioritizes balancing energy needs with environmental protection.
Swanson School of Engineering 