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Energy Outlook 2025: Renewable Growth Reshapes Global Market

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

The year we are saying goodbye to has been extremely dynamic – bringing new social and environmental risks, but also clear progress toward a cleaner energy system, as summarized by Ember in its review of the global energy transition in 2025.

This year, two sources of renewable energy – solar and wind – achieved particular success. In fact, energy from these sources is now expanding fast enough to cover all new electricity demand. In the first three quarters, solar and wind provided 17.6 percent of global electricity generation, increasing the share of low-carbon sources to 43 percent.

During a sustained period in 2025, together with these two sources, hydro and smaller sources, such as geothermal energy, generated more electricity than coal.

Solar energy has notably accelerated in markets and regions that had previously lagged behind, including countries across Africa. In South America, wind and solar in Brazil produced more than one-third of total electricity for the first time in a single month, in August.

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Electrotechnologies – solar, wind, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and others – have become the main driver of global energy growth.

Falling battery storage costs have contributed to making the goal of 24/7 solar power achievable. In countries with already high solar capacity, combining solar with battery systems has enabled nearly continuous electricity supply at a cost of around USD 104 per MWh, making this option cheaper than new coal-fired or nuclear power plants.

A striking example also comes from India, where heavy industry – such as steel, cement, and chemical production – can now supply most of its electricity demand from renewable sources.

Energy portal

How CBAM Will Transform the Serbian Economy

Photo: Unsplash/ant-rozetsky

As of 1 January 2026, Serbia enters a new economic reality: the full implementation of CBAM (the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) will not only pose a regulatory challenge but also test the domestic economy’s readiness for an accelerated energy transition. Although the European Union designed this mechanism to ensure fair competition and prevent carbon leakage, the consequences for countries whose economies lag in decarbonization could be significant. Serbia is no exception.

Foto: Courtesy of Slobodan Minić

How will the new levies affect exporters of steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and cement? Is EPS about to face the most challenging period in its history? How realistic is it to retain part of the revenue within Serbia through a domestic carbon tax—and does the state have a clear vision for financing an energy transition worth tens of billions of euros?

We discussed these questions with Slobodan Minić, Special Advisor to the Fiscal Council of Serbia, who warns that the impact of CBAM will not be the same across sectors, and that Serbia no longer has the luxury of postponing essential reform decisions.

What impact will the introduction of CBAM on 1 January 2026 have on the Serbian economy, particularly on directly affected companies in the iron and steel, cement, aluminum, and fertilizer sectors?

— When the European Commission first announced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in late 2019, there was a justified concern that the Serbian economy could be disproportionately affected. The reasons were clear: the European Union is our most important market, accounting for around two-thirds of Serbia’s exports. At the same time, our domestic economy objectively lags behind European competitors in terms of decarbonization. To illustrate, Serbia emits 95 percent more greenhouse gases per unit of GDP than the Central and Eastern European average.

However, a detailed analysis shows that the effect of CBAM—at least in its current form—will not be catastrophic for the economy as a whole, although the impact on the directly affected sectors could be significant. According to the Fiscal Council’s estimates, CBAM will increase the cost of Serbian exports by around EUR 45 million in 2026, and this burden could grow to EUR 150–200 million annually by 2030. The reasons for this increase are twofold: on one hand, the EU is gradually phasing out free allowances for its own producers in these sectors (which proportionally increases CBAM obligations for importers), and on the other hand, the market price of carbon is expected to continue rising in the coming years.

In focus:

Looking at individual sectors, the impact of CBAM is uneven and depends on their specific characteristics. By far the largest share of the estimated cost—some 75–80 percent—will fall on the iron and steel sector, due to the high volume of exports to the EU and the sector’s relatively high emission intensity. By contrast, the cement sector, although it also has higher emissions compared to European companies, is not expected to face significant business consequences. Cement is a low-value, high-weight product with high transport costs, meaning most of its production is sold on local and regional markets rather than exported to the EU.

How will this specifically affect the competitiveness of Serbian companies in these sectors, and is there a risk that some of our producers may lose access to the EU market?

— CBAM undoubtedly introduces significant additional costs that weaken the competitiveness of Serbian companies in the affected sectors, but this is a risk that appears manageable. Although emissions from our producers in these industries are higher than those of their European counterparts, the difference is not dramatic, averaging 15-20 percent. Consequently, CBAM will inevitably lead to higher prices for our products on the European market in the medium term: we estimate that aluminum prices may increase by 3–4 percent. In comparison, fertilizers and steel prices may increase by around 10 percent. In contrast, cement prices could rise by as much as 40 percent.

However, it is crucial to consider the broader context: production costs will not rise only for us. European producers of CBAM goods will also face higher costs starting in 2026, as the EU gradually phases out free emission allowances—a mechanism that, until now, has helped shield them from competitive disadvantages. In other words, market conditions are changing for all players. When this is taken into account, the net loss of competitiveness for Serbian companies should remain moderate—between one and five percentage points, depending on the sector.

I believe this is not an insurmountable gap, provided domestic companies intensify investments in new technologies and in emission reductions in the coming years.

The power sector has been identified as the most vulnerable to CBAM. How much revenue could EPS realistically lose due to reduced exports, and is there any scenario in which electricity exports to the EU remain profitable?

— That’s correct—the power sector, and EPS as the dominant producer, is truly the elephant in the room when discussing the effects of CBAM. I mentioned earlier that emission differences in industry are moderate, but in electricity production, they are dramatic. Because Serbia relies predominantly on lignite, emissions in this sector are three to four times higher than the EU average. Simply put, Serbia has not followed the EU trend of rapid power-sector decarbonization over the past two decades, and the result of that inertia is an exceptionally poor starting position ahead of CBAM’s full implementation.

Photo: Usplash/yasin-hemmati

An additional problem is that electricity has no discounts and no transition period, because the EU abolished free allowances in this sector long ago. As a result, the full carbon price will be charged starting in 2026.

In practice, this means that every megawatt-hour exported to the EU would incur an additional levy of around EUR 60. With such a burden, electricity exports become economically unviable, and EPS becomes entirely uncompetitive in the European market. Fiscal Council analyses show that, due to the loss of export revenue, EPS could lose EUR 200–300 million annually by 2030. This is a huge amount of money that has so far contributed significantly to the company’s performance—and it may now be missing precisely at a time when massive investments in renewable energy are urgently needed.

Although some voices within the EU are calling for postponing the application of CBAM to electricity to resolve certain technical issues and uncertainties, such a delay would be only a temporary reprieve. The long-term solution for Serbia likely lies in active negotiations with the EU, aimed at establishing a clearly defined roadmap for the domestic power sector.

In the ideal scenario, this would include meeting the conditions for a temporary exemption for electricity exports until 2030, followed by a gradual integration into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) under reasonable terms. Anything else carries the risk of Serbia becoming an isolated energy island in Europe—a situation that, according to our assessments, benefits no one.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

Germany: Europe’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant Being Commissioned

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

The German energy company RWE (Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk) has recently begun the commissioning process of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production facility.

The plant is located in Lingen, in western Germany, and, as reported by international media, this is the first phase of the GET H₂ Nukleus project. The first phase includes a 100 MW electrolyzer, while the total planned capacity of the facility is 300 MW.

The first phase is expected to begin commercial operation in 2026, while the completion of the entire facility is planned for 2027. Once finished, the plant will be almost twice the size of the currently largest hydrogen facility in Europe.

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The green hydrogen, under a long-term contract, will be supplied to TotalEnergies in eastern Germany, and a new 600-kilometer hydrogen network is being constructed for this purpose. From 2030 onwards, approximately 30,000 tons are planned to be delivered annually.

The refinery in Leuna, operated by TotalEnergies, currently produces hydrogen mainly from fossil fuels. The goal of the project is to replace this fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using renewable energy, thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.

Energy portal

Corporate Social Responsibility: How MaxBet Builds Social Capital

Photo: MaxBet
Photo: MaxBet

At a time when ESG standards are increasingly evaluated by their real impact on the community rather than declarative promises, MaxBet approaches social responsibility as a long-term strategy rather than a season of campaigns. The company’s integration into Flutter International has further professionalized and expanded this framework, resulting in the systematic development of social capital through investments in healthcare, local community stability, environmental projects, and employee development.

“When I speak about social capital, I am referring to the decision to be present where support is truly needed—in hospitals, schools, forests, and on sports fields,” says Savo Bakmaz, General Manager of MaxBet. “Everything we do, from blood donation to developing our people, is part of the same commitment—to ensure that our business leaves a legacy greater than profit.”

This approach is embodied in the “Life Is Blood” initiative, which has grown from a local idea into one of the largest voluntary blood donation programs in the region. To date, 84 drives have been organized, 11,106 units of blood have been collected, and support has been provided in saving more than 33,000 lives. In 2025, the campaign expanded into new communities.

MaxBet’s dedication to health continues through support for organizations working with the most vulnerable groups, as well as through internal initiatives such as the annual MaxMovember campaign, focused on prevention, health awareness, and improving the quality of life for men. One of the central activities of this year’s campaign was the workshop “Men in Focus,” designed to open a conversation about topics often insufficiently discussed yet essential to everyday physical and mental well-being.

IN FOCUS:

In October 2025, MaxBet also supported the 10th BELhospice humanitarian tennis tournament, “Game for Dignity,” contributing to the only licensed program of free palliative care and psychological support in Serbia. In the same spirit, participation in UNICEF’s Fair Play 3×3 basketball tournament—where 1,440,000 dinars were raised for improving mental health services for children and youth—demonstrates that sport can be one of the fastest channels through which social impact becomes visible. Responsible gaming is central to MaxBet’s business philosophy and is part of the global Play Well program, developed by Flutter International. It is a model that combines behavioral monitoring, early detection of risky changes, and self-control tools such as spending limits, timeouts, and self-exclusion – all aimed at ensuring a game that remains within the bounds of fun without compromising personal or family stability. In the gaming industry, this is one of the most important tests of a business model’s maturity. 

MaxBet also strives to create social impact through projects that directly improve living conditions in the communities where it operates. In Zrenjanin, the company financed the renovation of the outdoor area of the Day Care Center for people with developmental disabilities, part of the “Most” Center, providing users with a more accessible and functional space for everyday activities. In Nikšić and Budva, specialized protective equipment was donated to local rescue and emergency services, ensuring that firefighters and first responders have better tools to handle fires and other urgent situations.

The environmental segment of the program is equally strong. To mark Earth Day, MaxBet employees took part in one of the company’s largest volunteer reforestation actions, during which, through cooperation with the public forestry enterprise Srbijašume, 6,000 seedlings were planted: black pine near Kraljevo, spruce on Mali Jastrebac, and pedunculate oak in the vicinity of Belgrade. Athletes from FC Partizan and FC Vojvodina joined the initiative, symbolically linking care for nature with care for the community.

Prepared by Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

CBAM and the Energy Community: Readiness Level of the Region’s Countries

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The European Union has decided to fully implement its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as of 1 January 2026. The core principle of CBAM is that every ton of carbon dioxide embodied in goods entering the EU market will be priced. During the transitional period, which runs until the end of 2025, importers were required only to report emissions, without any obligation to pay. However, the collection of charges via CBAM certificates will begin soon.

For the countries that are Contracting Parties to the Energy Community—including Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and Kosovo* — this represents a major step, as CBAM covers not only carbon-intensive products such as steel and certain other goods, but also electricity. Since the aim of the Energy Community is to extend EU energy and climate rules to these non-EU countries, electricity generated in coal or gas-fired power plants and subsequently exported to the EU will no longer be able to enter the European market from 2026 without paying for the carbon footprint embedded in each megawatt-hour. As a result, issues of market integration and decarbonization have gradually become central topics for the entire region. All of this, and much more, is explained in the CBAM Readiness Tracker 2025 of the Energy Community Secretariat, which serves as the basis for the data presented here.

Photo: Pixabay

As noted in the report, two changes are being introduced initially. First, quarterly emissions reporting will be replaced by annual reporting. Second, importers into the EU will be required to purchase CBAM certificates to cover the emissions associated with the goods they import—including electricity, which is the focus of the analysis below. Certificates will be available for purchase from February 2027, but they will apply to emissions generated already during 2026, meaning there is no real grace period.

Energy Community countries find themselves in a specific situation. Wind and solar capacities are growing faster than before, and CO₂ emissions per kilowatt-hour are gradually declining. On the other hand, coal-fired power plants still account for a significant share of electricity generation, while the accompanying legislation and emissions pricing systems remain far behind EU standards. CBAM will therefore, at least in its initial phase, result in additional costs for electricity exports from the region to the European Union.

The CBAM Regulation is based on the assumption that there is no practical way to simultaneously maintain full market coupling with the EU while selectively applying CBAM to electricity originating from a particular country. For this reason, the Regulation provides that electricity imports from a third country may be exempted from the obligation to purchase CBAM certificates only if that country transposes the EU electricity market rules (Electricity Integration Package – EIP), becomes technically interconnected with the EU internal electricity market, adopts a long-term climate strategy and a climate law with the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, introduces an emissions trading system (ETS) for the electricity sector with a CO₂ price broadly aligned with the EU ETS by 2030, and ensures that electricity from other countries that do not meet these conditions cannot enter the EU via its system.

Only once the European Commission, following a detailed assessment, confirms that all of these criteria have been fulfilled, can electricity from that country be exempted from the obligation to purchase CBAM certificates. In practical terms, this means that CBAM imposes not only a requirement of market integration but also a requirement to adopt robust climate policies. To date, only Montenegro has established its own emissions trading system (ETS). Ukraine plans to launch a pilot ETS phase in 2026. Other countries are generally considering introducing a carbon tax around 2027, with a later transition to an ETS, or have no concrete plans in place at all.

At the same time, long-term climate strategies targeting climate neutrality by 2050 exist in only a few countries, while climate laws embedding this objective into national legislation have been adopted only in Ukraine and Moldova.

The CBAM Regulation also requires countries seeking an exemption to prepare a detailed roadmap. Given the complexity of an ETS and the time required to establish it, the report raises a very direct question: whether the Energy Community Contracting Parties will realistically be able to meet this requirement within the prescribed timelines.

IN FOCUS:

Regional Electricity – Imports and Exports

Significantly larger volumes of electricity flow through the networks of Energy Community countries (particularly the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova) toward the EU than these countries actually export. Although the available data do not allow the precise origin of every megawatt to be identified, the system configuration clearly shows that the Western Balkans Six, surrounded by EU Member States, form a natural transit corridor for cross-border flows between different EU markets, as explained in more detail in the report. Ukraine and Moldova have been synchronized with the Continental European grid since 2022, while Georgia remains physically disconnected.

Data for 2024 show that almost none of the countries (except Bosnia and Herzegovina and, to some extent, Montenegro) recorded significant net electricity exports on an annual basis. However, scheduled commercial flows toward the EU are far larger than this modest level of exports, indicating that the vast majority of electricity passing through their systems is not domestic, but rather transit electricity from neighboring EU Member States.

This is directly linked to the previously explained exemption framework, as the report emphasizes that, in order to apply CBAM rules correctly, the EU must clearly distinguish between: (1) actual commercial imports of electricity from a country that does not benefit from a CBAM exemption, and (2) electricity that merely transits through that country’s network between two EU markets. This distinction is essential, among other reasons, to avoid imposing CBAM obligations on electricity that the country in question does not produce at all. For this reason, the exemption conditions themselves place strong emphasis on rules to prevent circumvention and on the clear separation of transit flows from genuine exports.

Alongside regulatory reforms, the report also analyzes electricity flow patterns. Due to previously unfavorable hydrological conditions and increased domestic demand, most Energy Community countries became net electricity importers on an annual basis in 2024. Bosnia and Herzegovina was the exception, remaining the largest exporter, while Montenegro recorded only a small net export. Serbia registered net imports of approximately 520 GWh, according to the data (Table 3, page 13 of the report).

At the same time, the role of these countries as transit corridors between different EU markets is clearly evident. In 2024, as much as 9,181 GWh of scheduled commercial electricity flows toward EU Member States passed through Serbia—the highest volume in the region by a wide margin. This is followed by North Macedonia with 3,354 GWh, Montenegro with 3,042 GWh, Bosnia and Herzegovina with 2,158 GWh, Albania with 1,307 GWh, and Moldova with 188 GWh (Table 2, page 12 of the report). In principle, commercial flows do not indicate how much electricity a country has produced, but rather how much trading activity (contracts) has been registered across its borders.

When all figures are compared, it becomes clear that a substantial share of the electricity passing through these systems is not of domestic origin. Serbia is a clear example of this pattern, as shown by the data above, and similar dynamics can be observed in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania.

Renewable Energy Development and Auctions as a Driving Force

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Chris LeBoutillier)

By adopting National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), most Energy Community countries have formally accepted the 2030 renewable energy share targets set by the Ministerial Council. However, delays in adopting these plans have somewhat reduced investment certainty. Most countries have set targets at or slightly above the binding levels. At the same time, Serbia is the only country whose NECP sets a renewable energy share for 2030 at around seven percentage points below the mandatory level, as explained in the document itself.

In the electricity sector, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have recorded increases in the share of renewables, indicating the gradual integration of new wind and solar capacities into the energy mix. The most significant gap, however, remains in the transport sector. In heating and cooling, the picture is mixed: North Macedonia and Ukraine are well aligned with the targets set by the Renewable Energy Directive, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are close to these levels, while Montenegro represents a specific case—having exceeded a 60 percent renewable energy share in heating and cooling as early as 2020, it is, under EU rules, not required to set a new target for 2030.

The report emphasizes that the transition toward renewable energy increasingly relies on auctions as a modern support mechanism. Between September 2024 and 2025, an intense wave of auctions was recorded across the region. Amid the energy crisis, Moldova successfully conducted its first renewable energy auction, awarding 165 MW of solar and wind capacity, and is already preparing a second auction that will combine renewable projects with battery energy storage systems (BESS). Following the adoption of its first standalone Renewable Energy Law in 2024, Montenegro launched its first solar auction in the summer of 2025, targeting up to 250 MW of new capacity.

During the same period, Serbia completed its second renewable energy auction, awarding 424.8 MW of solar and wind projects, with expected installations totaling around 650 MW. New qualification rules—based on the share of capacity allocated to the guaranteed supplier or directly to end customers—enabled more projects to enter the quota, increased the total planned capacity, and further stimulated the development of market-based power purchase agreements (PPAs). In contrast to these examples, two renewable energy auctions held in Ukraine were unsuccessful. At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the only Contracting Party that has not yet launched renewable energy auctions, despite having an established legal framework.

Overall, the data confirm that auctions have become a key instrument for accelerating the energy transition within the Energy Community—while also highlighting that the pace of implementation varies significantly across countries.

*This designation is without prejudice to status and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Does Exercise Make Sense When the Air Is Bad?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Arek Adeoye)

That evening, there wasn’t a single free parking space in front of my building, so I parked about a hundred meters away, near the playground. The fog was thick, and the heavy mix of smog and moisture was already pressing on my lungs as I walked briskly from the car toward the entrance. At that moment, very little could have made me spend even one more second outside — but one scene stopped me anyway.

The football field next to the playground was full of children, probably teenagers. They were running, shouting, chasing the ball, completely indifferent to the poor visibility and the air that smelled like anything but health.

Are they aware that physical activity is not recommended — even strictly discouraged — when the air is this polluted? Do their parents know? Should I go over and say something?

I didn’t. I shook off those thoughts and continued toward the entrance, already feeling my breathing grow heavier. In our town, there is no air quality monitor, no warnings, no alarms to alert us to the danger that descends every evening in the form of a foul-smelling cloud. And children are — children. They want to run, to burn off energy, to be outside with their friends.

I had the feeling they wouldn’t take me seriously. That I would seem like some paranoid, grumpy woman imagining that air could harm one’s health. After all, if the situation were really that serious, wouldn’t it be on the news? Besides, they’re running — and nothing’s happening to them. The fact that my head was already spinning was probably just my age.

But as I encountered them outside several more times, each time with the air smelling of burning tires, I decided to look into how physical activity in polluted air actually affects our health.

We exercise to be healthy — and the air works against us

Photo illustration: Unsplash (Mikhail Pushkarev)

One large international study, which followed more than 1.5 million adults over a period of more than ten years, shows that long-term exposure to toxic air can seriously reduce the protective power of regular exercise. In other words — yes, exercise still helps us live longer, but its benefits are drastically weakened in environments with high air pollution.

The study was conducted by an international team of researchers, including experts from University College London (UCL), and was published in the prestigious journal BMC Medicine. Data were collected in multiple countries — from the United Kingdom and Denmark to China, Taiwan, and the United States — giving the findings both weight and a global context.

The researchers focused in particular on fine particulate matter PM2.5 — microscopic pollutants smaller than 2.5 micrometers. They are so tiny that they not only penetrate deep into the lungs, but can also enter the bloodstream. These particles are precisely what make the air feel “heavy,” hazy, and dangerous — and they are exactly what we inhale most while running, cycling, or playing football outdoors.

The results are quite clear and somewhat unsettling. People who exercised regularly — at least two and a half hours per week of moderate or vigorous activity — had about a 30% lower risk of death compared to those who were physically inactive. But only when the air was relatively clean.

When average annual PM2.5 levels reached 25 micrograms per cubic meter or more, the benefits of exercise declined sharply. Among very active people living under such conditions, the protective effect of exercise dropped to just 12–15%. Nearly half of the world’s population today lives in areas where air pollution is at or above this level.

The situation becomes even worse when pollution exceeds 35 micrograms per cubic meter — which is the case for about 36% of people worldwide. Under these conditions, especially when it comes to cancer-related mortality, the protective effects of physical activity become very weak.

The researchers nevertheless emphasize that exercise should not be completely abandoned, even in polluted environments.

“Exercise remains beneficial even in polluted settings, but cleaner air can unlock much greater health gains,” said one of the study’s lead authors, Professor Po-Wen Ku of National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.

His colleague from UCL, Professor Andrew Steptoe, adds that toxic air can block some of the benefits of exercise — but it cannot erase them entirely. In other words, the body keeps fighting, but it has a much harder time.

The authors recommend a pragmatic approach: checking air quality before training, choosing less trafficked and greener routes, and reducing exercise intensity on days when pollution is high. No one is calling for abandoning movement — but science clearly warns us that the context in which we move matters greatly.

Perhaps that was another reason why I didn’t say anything to the children that evening. I didn’t know what was worse — for them to stay at home, trapped within four walls, or to move, run, and breathe, even if the air clearly wasn’t doing them any good. That dilemma hasn’t disappeared even today, but now we at least have an answer that helps us view it more soberly.

Movement is important. Undeniably so. But the air we breathe is not a minor detail. Between the two, the solution is not in giving up, but in making smart choices — about when we go outside, how hard we push ourselves, and where we choose to spend our time.

Milena Maglovski

Celebrating Five Years of Siemens Energy Serbia: Shaping the Energy Future of the Region

Photo: Siemens Energy Serbia

Five years after Siemens Energy became an independent company, this global energy leader has grown into one of the key drivers of energy transition. In Serbia, Siemens Energy has maintained its reputation as a trusted partner to the power sector and process industry, while also becoming a center of technical expertise for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We spoke with Petar Šainović, Managing Director of Siemens Energy Serbia, about the achievements so far, the role of the local team, and what the future holds.

Siemens Energy is marking five years of independent operations worldwide. How would you describe that journey?

Photo: Courtesy of Petar Šajinović

— For the energy sector, five years is a very short period. Yet for us, it has been a time of major challenges and profound transformation. When Siemens Energy emerged as a standalone company in 2020, many wondered if this was merely an administrative change. It soon became clear, however, that it was a strategic move – one that enabled faster decision-making, a sharper focus on the energy business, and, most importantly, accelerated the development of new technologies. The challenges, particularly in the wind business, made us stronger, while the evolution of the energy market fueled growth beyond expectations – both in financial performance and in workforce size.

What we are most proud of is the qualitative shift. This is primarily reflected in our corporate culture – a company that truly lives by the famous saying – Culture eats strategy for breakfast. It is built on open and direct communication, accountability, integrity, trust, and a shared commitment to common goals. I firmly believe that such culture is the key reason why the company’s value has quadrupled since 2020.

Today, Siemens Energy Serbia plays a significant role in global operations. How has the organization evolved in that regard?

— Just a little over five years ago, at the time of the spin-off from Siemens, we employed slightly more than 50 people. Our focus was primarily on the Serbian market, with occasional projects in the Western Balkans. However, operating in a domestic market – which, in terms of European or global energy, is relatively small – forced us to be flexible and innovative. Rarely did we have the chance to work on similar projects twice; almost every time, we were doing things for the first time. A legendary quote from one of our colleagues sums it up: We’re the best at what we do for the first time. That was the only way to survive, given that our business revolves around complex projects. Only a tiny portion relates to product sales. Such an approach and the successes we achieved earned us recognition at the European and even global level. Today, our engineers work on projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Our cybersecurity experts safeguard the company’s global cyber resilience, while our corporate security team ensures the protection of people, assets, and processes worldwide.

Photo: Siemens Energy Serbia

Over these five years, we have come a long way. Financially, we have grown more than threefold. Our workforce has increased nearly five times, and we now employ around 230 people – most of them engineers.

Quality matters more than quantity. Today, 80 percent of our employees are engaged in international projects. Not only do our people participate in global projects, but as an organization, we are responsible for the entire process- from preparing technical solutions and proposals to project management, site organization, installation supervision, and commissioning. Our concept is not based on so-called body leasing or low engineering-hour rates, but on knowledge, accountability, and dedication. Moreover, our engineers do not spend extended periods on foreign sites, as most of the work is done from Belgrade. This allows them to stay close to their families while contributing to major international projects and collaborating with people from all over the world.

In focus:

Five years ago, we could not have imagined such a scenario in Serbia. On top of that, seven of our colleagues – still based in Belgrade- now hold international leadership positions. This is certainly driven by our global priority of inclusion and diversity, but perhaps even more by the commitment of the local team, which could not go unnoticed.

Can you share the secret of your success with our readers?

— There is no secret. It’s simple. As I mentioned earlier, the key lies in business culture. We build the desired culture through communication. Communication must be open, direct, and, of course, timely.

Photo: Siemens Energy Serbia

If something isn’t working as it should, it’s essential to communicate that clearly and promptly: Your results are not meeting expectations. Let’s find a solution together. People accept that. They recognize honesty and usually make an effort to change.

Perhaps even more important is clearly communicating the common goal. Identifying with that goal is a powerful tool. If you don’t believe in the goals of the company you work for, my advice is to change your environment.

When the majority embraces a shared goal, there’s a strong chance employees will act as if it were their own company. Then everything becomes easier- and not just easier, but enjoyable. If we spend most of our waking hours at work, let’s make sure those hours are filled with purpose and a positive atmosphere.

How do you see the next five years for Siemens Energy Serbia?

— In today’s energy sector, unpredictability is the only constant. Just a few years ago, the current surge in global market growth was unimaginable.

What we can be sure of: if we manage to preserve our culture amid rapid workforce expansion, we’ve truly succeeded.

Back in 2021, I jokingly told employees that our goal was to reach 1,000 people by 2030. The comments were that it was unrealistic. My response was: Who needs realistic goals? What happens if we achieve them? Do we just go home? At that time, no one could have imagined that by 2025, we would have 230 employees and be working on the projects we are doing today.

I believe the next five years will be marked by even more dynamic growth in energy investments, a significant increase in headcount, and further digitalization of operations. I am confident this team is capable of outstanding achievements and ready to meet market demands. An incredibly exciting period lies ahead—something new and interesting every day. That’s over 1,200 fascinating workdays in five years.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINNES

Poland Successfully Concludes Its First Offshore Wind Auction

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Poland has successfully completed its first competitive auction for offshore wind energy, which awarded support for three major projects in the Baltic Sea, with a total capacity of 3.4 GW.

Besides marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy transition, this event also has broader significance for the European offshore wind sector, as it confirms market growth and investor confidence in the further development of this energy segment, reports WindEurope.

The auction was conducted through a two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, providing investors with long-term price stability for a period of 25 years. Winning bids ranged from approximately 113 euros to 117 euros per MWh.

The projects are expected to deliver their first electricity to the grid by the end of 2032. It is estimated that the total electricity generation from these projects during the support period will reach around 330 TWh.

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In the supply chain, domestic companies are expected to account for over 40 percent, which will strengthen industrial capacity and expertise in coastal regions, while Poland moves closer to its goal of becoming a leading offshore wind hub in the Baltic Sea.

According to Poland’s offshore wind roadmap, new auctions are planned for 2027, 2029, and 2031, offering additional gigawatts of capacity.

For two major offshore wind projects that are already under construction in the Baltic Sea, with the first turbines installed, support was granted outside the auction system, involving global companies such as Ørsted and Northland Power.

If the current pace of development continues, Poland could reach 18 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, potentially exceeding 30 GW by 2050.

Energy portal

Double holder of the OPEC Fund’s Master of innovation title

Photo: iwa-universal.com

Innovation is the driving force of modern society — through new ideas and approaches, it generates solutions that improve the quality of life and stimulate economic growth. Innovators do not accept limitations; instead, they seek ways to make things faster, simpler, and more effective. One such innovator is Zoran Dujaković, from the Republic of Srpska, who has received the Master of Innovation title for the second time, awarded by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) — an international development organization established to support innovation and sustainable development projects.

He has an impressive portfolio of awards and recognitions for his inventions, particularly in the fields of environmental protection, the automotive industry, and medicine, where he developed an immobilizer that completely replaces plaster casts. In addition to his work as an innovator, Dujaković is also a diving instructor with international certifications and a speleologist. It is therefore no surprise that the innovation for which he received this latest recognition is designed for cave diving applications.

Photo: Courtesy of Zoran Dujaković

Having practiced this discipline himself, he realized how dangerous it can be when, during a dive, it is impossible to surface safely. This insight led him to create a device that enables safe and environmentally friendly refilling of diving tanks underwater.

The invention, called the Underwater Air and Liquid Media Charger, has already received awards in Europe. A special technique prevents water from entering the diving tank, allowing it to be refilled completely — as if done on the surface — and thus enabling the diver to continue diving safely. Thanks to this underwater charger, it is also possible, for example, to extract oil from a sunken tanker without spilling it into the sea.

When it comes to innovation in our region, Dujaković notes that there is little investor interest in supporting such projects, which is why he plans to personally finance the production of several hundred units and offer them to diving centers worldwide.

In focus:

He received the Master of Innovation award for the first time two years ago, during a cycle of exhibitions held in the United States, where the competition took place in six cities, and in five of them, he won a gold medal.

— Besides me, there were other participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. If you win three or more gold medals, you earn the right to receive this title. I believe there were about 60 people worldwide who received that recognition that year. I didn’t exhibit anything last year, but this year I participated online in Japan and Australia. They prepare all the documentation for every exhibition that belongs to the same cycle, and the juries convene on the same day. There’s no lobbying like we often see here — explains Dujaković, emphasizing the seriousness and credibility of the institutes involved in these events.

In the near future, he plans to develop and test his patent for a conical turbine in Nepal, a country he visited a year ago.

— There, everything functions as long as there’s daylight and sunshine, but by eight in the evening, people already go to bed. They have severe shortages of energy sources. They dry yak dung, mix it with kerosene, and it provides decent heating. Since they don’t have many by-products, they heat for only a short time during the day. They also face infrastructure problems in the energy sector. Somehow, they found out about me and offered to collaborate — to try to create a prototype. It would be for an institute within a university — Dujaković says.

The core idea of this invention is a single pipe that, with patented internal components and a generator, can produce a specific amount of energy depending on its diameter, length, slope, and water flow.

— Regardless of calculations, these elements must be tested and proven in practice — he adds, noting that his trip to Nepal has been postponed for now due to the recent political unrest in the country.

Protected Works

Dujaković, who has been involved in innovation for many years, has so far submitted several works to the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the International Patent Office. His first patented invention, registered back in 2007, was a mobile scaffold designed for work at heights. One of his earlier inventions, for which he also received medals, is a detection system for continuous and field detection of people, animals, and objects — without posing any risk to the handler or the dog.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Växjö – The City That Chose to Defeat Climate Change

Photo-illustration: Pexels (Хитрый-Хряк)

In southern Sweden, nestled among the lakes and forests of the Kronoberg region, lies a city that has been called the greenest in Europe for decades. This is Växjö – a university center of around one hundred thousand inhabitants, which, as early as 1996, made a decision that would change its future: to become the first city in the world free from fossil fuels.

Today, nearly three decades later, Växjö stands as a symbol of sustainability and a pioneer in the fight against climate change. While many are still searching for a way to reduce emissions, this Swedish city demonstrates that it is possible to combine urbanization, economic growth, and quality of life with environmental responsibility.

Energy from the Forest – The Power of Local Resources

Sweden is known for its vast forests, and Växjö has turned them into the backbone of its energy system. Instead of relying on oil and coal, the city generates heat and electricity from biomass — waste from the wood industry, such as branches, bark, and sawdust. As a result, the city’s district heating system is now almost entirely free of fossil fuels.

The outcome? Carbon dioxide emissions per capita have been reduced by more than 60 percent compared to 1993. This is not just a statistic — it is proof that persistence and smart planning pay off.

Another unique feature of Växjö is its architecture. Instead of building with concrete and steel, the city invests in timber construction. New residential and public buildings are largely made of wood, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the construction sector. In this way, Växjö not only lowers emissions but also shows how tradition can go hand in hand with modern technology and design.

IN FOCUS:

The City of Bicycles, Pedestrian Zones, and Electric Buses

In Växjö, cars are not the dominant means of transport. With over 300 cycling paths woven throughout the city, electric buses and biofuels produced from household organic waste are increasingly taking the lead in public transportation. The goal is clear – to reduce emissions from transport, one of the most persistent sources of pollution.

For its efforts, Växjö received the prestigious European Green Leaf Award in 2018, and European and global media regularly refer to it as the greenest city in Europe. Yet what matters even more is that Växjö has become a model for other cities – from major metropolises to small municipalities – that aim to make their communities more sustainable.

Prepared by: Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Spain and Denmark leading the way on green shipping fuels – study

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jason Leung)

Spain, Denmark, Norway and France are leading when it comes to producing green e-fuels that can be used for shipping, a new T&E analysis shows. But a lack of regulatory certainty is preventing most projects from moving beyond the planning stage. The EU should introduce more ambitious green fuel requirements for the shipping sector to ensure projects get off the ground, says T&E, which would deliver jobs and improve Europe’s energy security.

The 2025 update of T&E’s shipping e-fuels observatory found up to 80 green hydrogen and e-fuels projects that could be used to power ships, representing more than 3.6 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2032. But T&E found that just 5 percent of those volumes are clearly dedicated to the maritime sector, while only a small proportion of projects have reached a final investment decision (FID) stage or become operational, suggesting a lack of regulatory certainty is preventing projects from moving forward.

Some countries are positioning themselves as potential marine e-fuel suppliers. Norway has the largest quantities of fuels dedicated primarily to the maritime sector followed by Spain, Finland and Denmark. The Kassø project by European Energy which supplies e-methanol to Maersk went on line in 2025 and is the first marine e-fuel project and biggest of its kind in Europe.

More:

Among the e-ammonia and e-methanol projects which include the maritime or transport sectors as potential buyers, the maritime sector generally constitutes the largest potential offtaker, the research finds. When it comes to e-ammonia, for example, shipping was mentioned as a potential client for double the project volumes as the fertiliser and chemical industries. Strong demand signals from the shipping sector would provide a much needed guarantee to producers that there is a solid market for their green fuels.

Constance Dijkstra, maritime policy manager at T&E, said: “The biggest maritime e-fuels project went on line this year. This shows what is possible, but scaling up projects remains a challenge. Current shipping targets just aren’t ambitious enough to get investors to put money on the table. As well as demand incentives, fuel producers need hard cash. Fostering a strong e-fuels sector can bolster Europe’s industrial leadership and reduce the continent’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.”

Source: Transport&Environment

A Fruitful Autumn in the World of Innovation – Building Materials Of the Future

Photo: Hof University of Applied Sciences

Natural materials are becoming increasingly important in replacing fossil fuel–based insulation products and enabling sustainable solutions for more energy-efficient buildings. The current year has proven to be particularly fruitful in the field of sustainable architecture, and early autumn brought news of two significant discoveries in the area of construction materials.

The first is a mushroom-based insulation material that is currently being tested for its flexibility, moisture resistance, and thermal conductivity. The second is a building material that combines cardboard, water, and soil.

The Mycobuild Project

Researchers at the Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany have developed an innovative insulation material made from fungal mycelium (the root structure of fungi), while their industrial partner, Johann Bergmann GmbH & Co. KG, is testing the possibilities for large-scale production. The Mycobuild Project has a long-term goal of transferring research results into industrial applications. Insulation made from fungal networks could offer significant environmental and economic benefits. The project aims to demonstrate industrial feasibility by March 2026 and contribute to the development of environmentally friendly construction methods for the future.

Mycelium grows on a substrate made from local agricultural residues such as straw, binding the material into a compact mass before being dried and heated to deactivate the fungus. The primary challenge lies in maintaining sterile conditions, as even minor contamination can render the entire culture unusable.

“Fungal networks offer numerous advantages: they are compostable, store CO2, and require less energy to produce than conventional insulation materials. They can be flexibly shaped and scaled up for industrial production,” said Professor Robert Honke.

IN FOCUS:

Domestic fungal species — such as oyster mushrooms, honey mushrooms, porcini, and giant puffballs — have proven particularly promising. They grow at room temperature without the need for additional heating or cooling, making production highly energy efficient. The oyster mushroom stands out as the most resilient, spreading rapidly and forming dense networks. However, cultivation carries risks, as competing microorganisms can destroy the entire growth cycle. For this reason, developing a protective mineral coating plays a crucial role; once full moisture resistance is achieved, the material could exhibit the same or even superior properties compared to traditional insulation.

Cardboard and Earth for Green Construction

Photo: RMIT University;

A material known as cardboard-reinforced rammed earth consists solely of cardboard, water, and soil, and is fully reusable and recyclable. It was developed in Australia, where more than 2.2 million tons of cardboard and paper are sent to landfills each year, while cement and concrete production accounts for around eight percent of global annual CO2 emissions.

A research team from RMIT University claims that this new building material has a carbon footprint four times lower than that of concrete — and in this case, it is completely eliminated.

Walls made from cardboard, soil, and water are strong enough to support low-rise structures, while being significantly cheaper and more climate-friendly than concrete. One of the advantages of this material is that it can be produced directly on-site. Massive rammed-earth walls naturally regulate temperature and humidity, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering emissions further.

“This innovation could revolutionize the way we design and construct buildings, using locally available materials that are easier to recycle. It also reflects a global return to earth-based construction, driven by net-zero emission goals and a growing interest in sustainable local materials,” said Professor Zhijing Ma from RMIT University.

Researchers have developed a formula that allows the calculation of wall strength based on the thickness of the cardboard forms. In parallel studies, they also demonstrated that combining rammed earth with carbon fibers can achieve strength comparable to that of high-quality concrete.

The authors emphasize that this innovation could become a key to greener and more affordable construction — particularly in regions abundant with soil suitable for such technology.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Slovenia Co-Finances the Construction of Solar and Wind Power Plants with Capacity Above 1 MW

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mark Merner)

Slovenia has announced an amended public call for the co-financing of investments in the construction of new electricity generation facilities from solar and wind power plants for the period from 2025 to 2029.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, the amendment enables the harmonization of capacity thresholds for investments in solar and wind power plants with a rated capacity above one megawatt (MW), regardless of the applicant’s status.

Eligible applicants include companies as well as renewable energy communities established in accordance with the Act on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.

Eligible costs include the purchase and installation of generation equipment and battery systems, related electrical installations and equipment, construction and installation works, as well as professional supervision.

More:

Funding from the European Regional Development Fund covers up to 45 percent of eligible costs for generation facilities without electricity storage capacity and up to 30 percent for battery systems, with a maximum co-financing amount of EUR 25 million per project.

In the case of installing a battery energy storage system, its capacity must amount to at least 0.75 kWh per kW of the rated capacity of the generation facility to which the system is connected.

The deadlines for submitting applications are February 6, 2026, and June 5, 2026. The funds are intended to strengthen renewable energy generation and encourage local and entrepreneurial investments in the energy sector.

Energy portal

Cities in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina Rank Among Europe’s Most Polluted by PM2.5

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Cities in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked among the most polluted in Europe in terms of PM2.5 air pollution in 2024, according to data from IQAir, an internationally recognized air quality monitoring platform.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. Their danger lies precisely in their small size, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

All ten cities on the list of Europe’s most polluted cities by PM2.5 are located in the Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounts for four cities, Serbia for three, Montenegro for two, and North Macedonia for one.

The most polluted city in the region was Novi Pazar, Serbia, followed by:

  • Bijelo Polje, Montenegro

  • Pljevlja, Montenegro

  • Valjevo, Serbia

  • Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Gračanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Vogošća, Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Tetovo, North Macedonia

  • Kosjerić, Serbia

An overview of the ranking from 10th to 50th place shows that an additional eight cities from Bosnia and Herzegovina and as many as 17 from Serbia appear on the list. In other words, more than half of the next 40 most polluted cities in Europe come from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The highest levels of pollution were recorded during the winter months (November–February), while pollution levels were lowest in May among these ten cities. These seasonal winter peaks indicate that heat generation remains a major source of PM2.5 pollution, particularly individual heating systems using solid fuels. This highlights the urgent need to transition to cleaner heating sources and improve energy efficiency.

Energetski portal

An Innovation Connecting Glassmaking Tradition and Sustainability

Photo: Karolin Raj

Researchers from Serbia, in collaboration with colleagues from Denmark and Slovenia, are developing a unique digital tool — a carbon footprint calculator designed for creative workshops and artists working with glass. This innovative instrument will enable makers of handcrafted glass objects to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions generated during production, while also encouraging them to reconsider materials, techniques, and design decisions in search of more sustainable solutions.

According to Prof. Dejan Molnar, PhD from the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, a member of the research team within the project “Glassmaking Tradition Meets Innovation,” glass production is highly energy-intensive and represents a significant source of CO2 emissions. This is precisely why the calculator can play a crucial role for artists and craftspeople who use glass as their primary material.

“Its use will help raise awareness by providing more precise information and data about the negative environmental effects of glassmaking,” explains Professor Molnar. “By having a measurable and quantifiable ecological footprint, artists and artisans will be encouraged to reflect on possible ways to make their production processes more environmentally friendly.”

IN FOCUS:

The calculator will enable artists to calculate gas emissions for each individual item — from glass trays and lamps to jewelry or decorative pieces. Users will input data on raw materials used, electricity and water consumption, fuel for transportation, and the amount of waste generated. Based on these inputs, the tool will provide a precise overview of the CO2 produced for each item. “Artists and craftspeople are often not fully aware of how much energy their work — such as heating, melting, or polishing glass — consumes, and how much CO2 it emits,” explains Prof. Molnar.

“The calculator will help them determine the emissions associated with each product they make. Most importantly, it will allow them to identify which stages of their production process generate the highest levels of greenhouse gases.”

Changes in Practice and Market Impact

Photo: Elšika Pozdankova

The creators of the calculator expect that this tool will contribute to raising awareness and encourage glassmakers to start thinking in terms of “kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of glass.”

“Some of the changes we can expect in the future include switching to electric furnaces and using green energy, utilizing excess heat generated in furnaces, increasing the use of recycled glass, introducing more energy-efficient glass processing machines, reducing waste, adopting eco-friendly product and packaging design, and strengthening cooperation with local raw material suppliers to reduce transport-related emissions,” explained Prof. Molnar.

The development of the calculator involves several partners: the Foundation for the Advancement of Economics (FREN) in Belgrade, the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Paraćin, the Creative Glass Serbia Initiative, the Rog Center in Ljubljana, and the Museum Sydøstdanmark – Holmegaard Værk in Denmark. The project, co-financed by the European Union, runs from November 2024 to June 2027.

Prepared by: Milena Maglovski

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE

From Biomass to Water Droplets

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Vanessa Schmid)

Water is the source of life — our most precious resource, whose availability must never be taken for granted. Unfortunately, we live in a time when climate change, environmental pollution, and the uncontrolled exploitation of resources are leading to increasingly frequent shortages of clean water worldwide.

According to data from the European Environment Agency three years ago, more than one-third of the EU population and nearly half of its territory faced seasonal water scarcity. Cyprus, Malta, and Romania were among the most affected when comparing water consumption with renewable resources in 2022. The situation is, of course, far more complex in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of people lack stable access to safe water sources and often walk kilometers to reach the nearest well. In South Asia, particularly in India and Bangladesh, rapid population growth and groundwater pollution exacerbate water supply challenges. Meanwhile, the Middle East and North Africa are increasingly hit by droughts, leaving countries such as Yemen and Sudan among the most vulnerable.

In an effort to improve resource protection, the European Union recently reached an agreement to update the list of pollutants that member states must monitor in surface and groundwater. For the first time, pharmaceuticals have been included, along with new pesticides (including glyphosate) and certain PFAS substances. However, while this decision may appear to be a significant step forward, experts caution that it has serious shortcomings. Member states have managed to postpone the implementation of these new standards until 2039, with the possibility of extending them even further to 2045 — meaning that the real impact of these measures will be delayed for decades.

Furthermore, the agreement weakened the non-deterioration principle from the EU Water Framework Directive, introducing exceptions that allow short-term negative impacts and quality deterioration in cases of water or sediment transfer. Environmental organizations believe that this opens the door to increased discharge of toxic substances into rivers, while industrial lobbies continue to pressure the Commission to further weaken environmental protection. Experts warn that repeated delays leave insufficient time for member states to incorporate measures against new pollutants into their river basin management plans by 2027.

IN FOCUS:

In such circumstances, it is clear that, in addition to the regulations being implemented, the world is also seeking innovations and solutions that can provide water where it is scarce. One such solution has been developed by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin. Their method, based on molecular engineering, enables a wide range of natural materials — from food waste to twigs or seashells — to be transformed into a hydrogel sorbent capable of absorbing moisture from the air and releasing it as water. This process is based on sorption — the ability of a material to attract and retain water molecules. Sorption includes two processes: adsorption and absorption. In the case of biomass-based hydrogels, absorption is the key process, as the biomass hydrogel acts like a sponge, possessing a molecularly modified structure that attracts and binds water molecules. When the hydrogel is later gently heated, this bound water is released in the form of droplets that can be collected as drinking water. Almost any natural material based on plant polysaccharides — such as cellulose, starch, or chitosan — can be turned into an efficient water harvester.

Therefore, biomass itself is not a source of water — it is chemically transformed into a hydrogel, a material that functions as a “tool” for capturing moisture from the air. In this process, air is the actual source of water. At the same time, biomass serves as the raw material used to create a material capable of retaining that moisture and later releasing it.

The field test results are exceptional. While other technologies typically produce between one and five liters of water per day per kilogram of material or sorbent, these hydrogels can generate up to 14 liters. This amount can be sufficient to meet some of a family’s basic daily water needs, especially in smaller communities or during crisis situations.

The advantages are clear: the material is inexpensive, widely available, and biodegradable, while the technology supports sustainable water production. However, there are also certain limitations. One of them is that the amount of water produced depends on the humidity level in the air. In addition, there is a strong likelihood that the collected water must undergo a simple verification or treatment process before it can be used for drinking or commercial purposes.

The essence of this discovery lies in its simplicity — from what is considered waste, a system is created that extracts the most vital resource — water — from the air.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE

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