Institute of Power Engineering

What Institute of Power Engineering does

The Institute of Power Engineering (Instytut Energetyki - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, IEN-PIB) is a Polish state research institute founded in 1951, headquartered in Warsaw, and operating across nine locations in Poland. It conducts applied research and provides testing, certification, and calibration services for the power and energy sector, with a technical portfolio spanning solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), solid oxide electrolysis (SOE), hydrogen technologies, clean coal combustion with CO2 capture, renewable energy integration, and power system automation. The institute holds ten Polish Center for Accreditation certifications covering testing, calibration, and inspection, and maintains the Center for Hydrogen Technologies (CTH2), established in May 2020 to develop hydrogen production and high-temperature co-electrolysis capabilities.

The institute's primary technologies include SOFC systems operating at 600-900°C with 45-65% efficiency on multiple fuel types, the MEGA-SOE large-scale hydrogen production system targeting 38-42 kWh/kg H2 energy consumption, and a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) for power system electromagnetic and electromechanical testing. Its scientific output includes 975 publications and 102 completed publicly funded projects. Revenue is generated through contract research services for utilities and industrial partners (notably ORLEN, PGE Elektrownia Turów, RAFAKO, TELE-FONIKA Kable), accredited testing and certification, calibration services, EU and national research grants (Horizon Europe, NCBR, NCN), and ancillary space rental. Customers are concentrated in the Polish power generation, district heating, cable manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors.

The institute operates under a hybrid go-to-market combining direct institutional sales to government and industrial partners with participation in EU and national research consortia (e.g., INTERPLAN H2020, BIOFLEX ERA-NET, SUPER-SOE with UC Irvine). In November 2023, it received the formal designation of Państwowy Instytut Badawczy (National Research Institute), strengthening its statutory mandate. Leadership includes Director Mariusz Mazur, Deputy Director for Economic Affairs Grzegorz Tchorek, and Chief Accountant Marta Grom, with recent management changes recorded in May 2025 and January 2026.

Name

Institute of Power Engineering

Legal name

Instytut Energetyki - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy

Website

https://ien.com.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute of Power Engineering (IEN-PIB) is a Polish state research institute founded in 1951, operating across nine locations and providing applied research, accredited testing, certification, and calibration services to the power generation, hydrogen, and energy equipment sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Research and Testing Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Advanced Inspection (Phased Array, TOFD, Guided Wave) (EUAEAKAF), Power Plant I&C / SCADA / DCS EPC (EUAEAAAN), Corrosion Inspection & Coating/CP Surveys (CUI, CP, DCVG/ACVG) (EUAEAHAF)

Keywords

• Energy technology research
• Hydrogen technology development
• Power equipment certification
• Accredited testing laboratories
• Solid oxide fuel cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Warsaw

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Services: Contract research services for the power sector covering expert works, investigations, and advanced energy generation technologies.
2. Testing and Certification Services: Certification and inspection services for power sector equipment, including accredited laboratory testing.
3. Calibration Services: Calibration services for measurement equipment including temperature, pressure, humidity, and electrical measurements.
4. EU and National Research Funding: Funding from EU programs (Horizon Europe, POIS) and national research grants (NCBR, NCN).
5. Space Rental: Rental of office and warehouse spaces at institute locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IEN-PIB provides applied research, expert analyses, diagnostics, and supervision for the power sector, alongside accredited testing, calibration, and certification/inspection services for power industry equipment. It also develops advanced energy technologies including solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) for green hydrogen production, clean coal combustion with CO2 capture, and renewable energy systems, delivered through its Central Unit in Warsaw, four regional branches (Gdańsk, Łódź ITC, Białystok, CEREL Boguchwała), and the Center for Hydrogen Technologies (CTH2).

Product overview

Institute of Power Engineering (Instytut Energetyki) is a Polish state-owned research institute providing comprehensive energy technology research services. The offering consists of a portfolio of specialized research and testing services organized across multiple divisions: the Central Unit in Warsaw (covering electrical, thermal, mechanical, and energy utilization divisions), regional branches in Gdańsk, Łódź ITC, Białystok, and CEREL Ceramics in Boguchwała, plus the dedicated Center for Hydrogen Technologies (CTH2). Key service areas include certification and inspection of power industry equipment, accredited laboratory testing and calibration, hydrogen technology research, and applied R&D for renewable energy, boilers, and industrial solutions. The institute positions itself as supporting Polish energy policy objectives and European energy sector development goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center for Hydrogen Technologies (CTH2) Dedicated research center developing hydrogen technologies for Poland, including high-temperature co-electrolysis of CO2 and water vapor in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOC) under elevated pressure. Houses the MEGA-SOE large-scale hydrogen production system targeting 38-42 kWh/kg H2. Serves industrial and government partners seeking applied hydrogen R&D.
• Certification and Inspection Services Certification and inspection services evaluating compliance of power industry equipment with normative documents, delivered by a dedicated Certification and Inspection Team within the Central Unit. Issues conformity assessments required by power equipment manufacturers and utilities.
• Accredited Laboratory Testing Accredited testing laboratory services covering temperature, pressure, humidity, and electrical DC and AC parameter measurements, backed by multiple PCA accreditations (AC 117, AB 087, AB 143, AB 252, AB 324, AB 458). Used by power equipment manufacturers and industrial clients requiring third-party accredited test reports.
• Calibration Services Calibration of measurement apparatus covering temperature, pressure, humidity, and electrical DC and AC parameters, delivered by an accredited calibration laboratory (AK 037, UD 123, UD 456). Serves industrial clients needing traceable measurement instrument calibration.
• Energy Technology Research Services Contract research services aligned with Polish energy policy strategic objectives and long-term European energy sector development plans. Covers expert works, investigations, and advanced energy generation technologies for power sector clients.
• Electroenergy Services Services for the electroenergy sector including analyses, evaluations, expert opinions, diagnostics, and supervision for power generation and grid assets.
• Boiler and Combustion Research and Testing Research and testing services for boiler systems and combustion technologies, including combustion modifier testing on operating boilers (e.g. WR-25, K-15) for power and district heating clients.
• Renewable Energy Research Research and development services for renewable energy technologies, supporting industrial and utility clients in clean energy transition projects.
• Noise and Acoustics Services Noise measurement and acoustic analysis services for energy installations, supporting environmental compliance for power generation and industrial sites.
• Overvoltage and Environmental Protection Services Services related to overvoltage protection and environmental protection measures for electrical and power infrastructure.
• Occupational Environment Protection Services Services focused on protecting the occupational work environment in power and industrial facilities, including workplace safety assessments.
• Industrial Solutions Customized solutions and technologies for industrial energy applications, including coal power plant reconstruction, oxy-combustion with CO2 capture, and cable systems for high voltage up to 245 kV.

Quantifiable outcome

• Solid oxide cell efficiency: 45-65%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ORLEN S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2022Strategic partnership for MEGA-SOE project - development and implementation of large-scale high-purity hydrogen production system using renewable energy in solid oxide electrolyzer. Project value: 107.6 million PLN. ORLEN is the project coordinator with IEN-PIB as technical lead.
• ENEA (Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie), ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2017Coordinator of INTERPLAN project - H2020 project developing integrated operation planning tool for Pan-European energy networks. Project No: 773708.
• SP Technical Research Institute of SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Coordinator of BIOFLEX project - clean and flexible use of new difficult biomass fuels for small and medium scale combustion units. ERA-NET BIOENERGY Joint Call project.
• Umeå University, SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in BIOFLEX project - Department of Applied Physics and Electronics
• Luleå University of Technology, SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in BIOFLEX project - Division of Energy Engineering
• Chalmers University of Technology, SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in BIOFLEX project - Division of Fluid Dynamics
• BIOS BIOENERGIESYSTEME GmbH, AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in BIOFLEX biomass research project
• AIT Austrian Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERPLAN H2020 project partner for distributed energy resources
• European Distributed Energy Resources Laboratories E.V., GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERPLAN H2020 project partner
• University of CyprusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERPLAN H2020 project partner
• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERPLAN H2020 project partner - applied research organization
• National Fuel Cell Research Center, UC Irvine, USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Prof. Jacek Bierer's team on pressurized co-electrolysis research in SUPER-SOE project. Enables knowledge exchange and research methodology development for high-pressure solid oxide electrolysis testing.
• EERA (European Energy Research Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research alliance for coordinated energy research collaboration
• CIGREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Council on Large Electric Systems - technical collaboration in power system research

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish state-owned applied research organization formed by merging SP Technical Research Institute, Innventia and Swedish ICT Research. RISE is IEN-PIB's most direct analogue: a state-mandated R&D and accredited testing body covering power, energy, and materials, and an existing BIOFLEX consortium partner of IEN-PIB.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state-owned non-profit research institute operating across energy, hydrogen, fuel cells, and power systems. Comparable in mission, public ownership structure, and the mix of applied R&D plus accredited testing services that IEN-PIB provides to Polish utilities.
• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research institute, organized as a non-profit. SINTEF runs large applied programs in hydrogen, CCS, power systems, and materials testing for energy customers, mirroring IEN-PIB's mix of basic/applied R&D, accredited labs, and industrial partnership projects.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch state-funded applied research organization with strong energy transition programs (hydrogen, offshore, grid integration). TNO's combination of public funding, applied energy research, and industry contracts is structurally similar to IEN-PIB's operating model.
• DNV: Norway-headquartered certification, testing, and energy advisory firm with deep power sector coverage, including hydrogen standards work. Overlaps with IEN-PIB's accredited testing and certification services for power equipment and emerging energy technologies, and is a more commercially oriented counterpart.
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): US-based, member-funded non-profit R&D organization for the electricity sector. EPRI's collaborative applied research on generation, grid, and emerging technologies parallels IEN-PIB's industry-funded programs for Polish power sector customers.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization, with multiple institutes (ISE, ISI, IWES) covering hydrogen, fuel cells, grid, and power generation testing. IEN-PIB is an INTERPLAN H2020 partner of Fraunhofer, and the two compete for similar EU energy R&D funding pools, but Fraunhofer is far larger and broader.
• CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission): French state research body operating major programs in nuclear, hydrogen, and renewable energy with extensive testing infrastructure. CEA shares IEN-PIB's state-mandated role in national energy R&D but at significantly larger scale and with a nuclear focus that IEN-PIB only partially matches.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US Department of Energy national laboratory focused on renewable energy and hydrogen. Comparable to IEN-PIB in its public funding model and renewable/hydrogen research portfolio, but at much greater scale and a renewable-only mandate.

Emerging players

• ITM Power: UK-listed pure-play green hydrogen equipment company specializing in PEM electrolysis. ITM is a commercial counterpart in the same hydrogen value chain where IEN-PIB is developing SOE, and highlights the gap between IEN-PIB's research focus and the commercial scale-up pressures of listed equipment vendors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-centre-for-research-and-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Power Engineering