Porąbka - Żar Power Station (Żywiec, Poland) - the second largest pumped-storage power plant in Poland

One of the greatest challenges of today's energy industry is variable energy consumption at different times of the day and depending on events, such as important sports matches or concerts. More than 90% of electricity in Poland comes from thermal power plants, which cannot be easily turned off when the electricity is not needed. To meet this challenge, pumped-storage hydroelectric plants are being built. One of the most fascinating power plants of this type in Poland is Porąbka - Żar Power Plant, which is a true technological marvel hidden in the heart of the Beskid Mountains.

Location and history of the power plant

Porąbka - Żar Power Plant is located in the picturesque Beskid Żywiecki, about 10 km from the center of Żywiec, on the Żar Mountain, which rises to a height of about 850 meters above sea level. These mountains, with their flat tops, are an ideal place to build this type of power plant. Construction of the power plant began in 1974 and was completed five years later. The first technical problems appeared after a year of operation, when it turned out that the asphalt sealing the upper tank had been installed incorrectly. The reservoir was drained and a new layer of asphalt was laid by Swiss specialists, which provided a permanent solution to the problem.

How does a pumped storage power plant work?

Pumped storage works by collecting water in an upper reservoir during periods of low electricity demand, and then releasing it during peak hours to produce electricity. The Porąbka - Żar Power Plant consists of three key elements: an upper reservoir, two shafts drilled inside the mountain and a power plant hall with four modern turbines.

Upper tank

The upper reservoir on the top of Mount Żar has impressive dimensions: 650 meters long and 250 meters wide at its widest point, with embankments over 30 meters high. This reservoir holds as much as 2,310,000 cubic meters of water, the maximum depth of which is 28 meters. Sealed with several layers of asphalt interlaid with reinforced concrete, it is practically impermeable - only 2 liters of water leaks out of it a day.

Tunnels and turbines

Water from the reservoir is transported to the power plant hall via two shafts with a diameter of 4 meters, inclined at an angle of 45 degrees. These tunnels transport water to four turbines, each of which swallows 36 tons of water per second when operating at full power. The total power of the turbines is 500 MW. These turbines function as both turbines and pumps, making them extremely versatile. By pumping water into the upper reservoir at a rate of 145 cubic meters per second, each of them consumes 135 MW.

Power plant hall

The power plant hall, housing four powerful turbines, has a volume larger than St. Mary's Church in Krakow. Current with a voltage of over 14 kV is transported to a switchboard at the foot of the mountain, where its voltage is increased to 120,000 V and sent further. The entire process from the start-up of the power plant to full operation takes only 3 minutes.

A unique place for tourists and lovers of extreme sports

Góra Żar is not only a strategic place for the energy industry, but also a popular tourist and recreational place. The area is known for its excellent conditions for paragliding, hang gliding and gliding. The flat top of the mountain and the nearby Międzybrodzki Reservoir on the Soła River attract water and extreme sports enthusiasts from all over Poland.

Mysterious phenomena

Góra Żar is also known for the occurrence of many unexplained phenomena. Local residents and tourists often talk about strange magnetic anomalies that can be observed in the area. For example, cars left in neutral on one section of road seem to roll uphill, which has become known as a "magnetic hill".

Accessibility to visitors

Porąbka - Żar Power Plant is open to visitors every summer Sunday. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the interior of the power plant and learn about its functioning under the supervision of an experienced guide who will tell about the history and operation of this impressive facility.

Challenges and threats

The transmission line running through Mount Żar and the surrounding peaks is not free from threats. Trees that need to be trimmed regularly and unlucky hang gliders or paragliders pose constant risks. To minimize the risk, the high-voltage power line poles have been painted red and the area around the line is constantly monitored. In the event of an emergency, in the power plant halls there is a switch the size of a medium-sized car that turns off the power on the line within 0.05 seconds, producing a deafening bang.

Soła River Cascade

In the vicinity of Mount Żar there are three dams forming Soła River Cascade. The lakes they dam up are an ideal place for water sports such as sailing, kayaking and fishing. These dams not only perform a retention function, but also constitute an important element of the local ecosystem and tourist attraction.

Summary

Porąbka - Żar Power Plant is a unique example of modern engineering and advanced technology in the service of energy. Its strategic location, innovative technical solutions and contribution to the stabilization of the energy network make it a facility of great importance for Poland. Additionally, the area around Żar Mountain offers rich recreational and tourist opportunities, which makes it an attractive place for both nature and extreme sports lovers. Without a doubt, Porąbka - Żar Power Plant is one of the most fascinating places in the Polish Beskids, worth visiting and getting to know up close.