The Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences is a scientific and development organization which conducts basic studies as well as applied research on resources and energy at all stages of its prospecting, exploration, exploitation, preparation and utilization with an interdisciplinary approach involving technical, technological, economical, environmental, political and social aspects.

The Institute is particularly experienced in: research on the effective use of mineral resources, geothermal energy issues, energy policy, planning and forecasting in the energy and mineral resources sectors with a special emphasis on economic aspects, environmental protection in industrialized areas, and underground storage of hazardous wastes.

The Institute contributed to the design and construction of the first experimental geothermal plant in Poland, situated upon two boreholes in Banska – Bialy Dunajec. This installation is now operated as a heating utility plant by the company Geotermia Podhalańska SA, and also serves as a laboratory for geothermal research.