Environmental Labelling and Eco-Labels

03.07.2024

ecology-environment-recycling — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Annette)

The fact remains that the stability of our planet has been irreversibly damaged and that human civilization has contributed to this state with its activities, especially in terms of energy and resource consumption. Consequently, the world has changed a lot during the last decades.

Awareness of climate change, caused by the negative impacts of our consumer society, has grown rapidly and can be said to have become a global public consciousness. Although the daily desires for shopping and consumption are still present, consumers increasingly consider ethical and environmental issues in their purchasing decisions.

In this way, consumers represent new social expectations that require companies to integrate environmental features and sustainability issues in the research and development of their latest products and business strategies to align their goals with sustainable development goals – environmental, social, and economic. To achieve these goals and convince environmentally conscious consumers to buy a particular product, companies use eco-labels and ecological claims, emphasizing the environmental acceptability of the product or high ethical standards. Ecolabelling is a voluntary procedure for certifying the environmental performance of products or services within a specific category.

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This way, ecological features and aspects are highlighted, while manufacturers give consumers information about the environmental impacts of their products or services throughout their life cycle. Ecological labelling makes products more recognizable on the market, i.e. it facilitates:

• Informing consumers and facilitating their choice when purchasing. Environmental labelling is an effective way of informing consumers about the environmental impact of the selected product. In this way, consumers can distinguish between products that harm the environment and those that are environmentally acceptable.

• Promotion of economic efficiency. Ecolabelling has lower economic costs than regulatory controls. Thus, it generates benefits for both government and industry.

• Stimulating market development. When consumers choose to buy products with eco-labels, they have a direct impact on the creation of an environmentally friendly/ green market.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Gary Chan)

• Encouraging continuous improvement. Dynamic environmental markets encourage corporations to commit to continuous environmental improvement of their products or services.

• Promotion of certification. The ecological certification programme proves that products have met specific environmental labels and declaration standards. This way, consumers are provided with visual information about the product and its environmental features. For these reasons, certification has an educational role for consumers while promoting competition among producers.

• Assistance in monitoring. The benefits of official eco-labelling are in validating ecological claims that facilitate monitoring. By doing so, consumers and competitors can better assess the credibility of these manufacturer claims. Environmental labelling encourages sustainability and sustainable development, environmental protection, more efficient use of energy, rational use of non-renewable natural resources, implementation of ecological practices at the state, regional and global levels, preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, improvement of the waste management system by the implementation of recycling, better management of harmful substances in products, application of cleaner production, development of new, greener production technologies, development of eco-innovations and more straightforward trading in ecological markets.

The International Organization for Standardization ISO and its standards from the ISO 14024 series identifies and defines three types of environmental labels and declarations based on classification: Type I – environmental labels, Type II – self-declared claims and Type III – environmental declaration.

dr Nataša Petrović

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

GEOS-U Satellite to Monitor Environmental Hazards

02.07.2024

earth-gd8aaf78e9_1920 — Foto-Ilustracija: Pixabay (PIRO4D)

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched the GEOS-U satellite into orbit on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it is expected to reach geostationary orbit, 22,236 miles above Earth, in about two weeks.

This satellite will be named GEOS-19 and is part of the GEOS-R series of geostationary operational environmental satellites, the most advanced weather and environmental monitoring system in the Western Hemisphere. Precisely, as stated on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website, it is positioned to monitor environmental hazards affecting much of North America, including the continental United States and Mexico, as well as Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean up to the west coast of Africa.

The GEOS-U satellite, with its proactive approach, will provide crucial data for protecting the Western Hemisphere from environmental threats, offering early warnings and enabling timely responses.

Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, explained that GEOS is one of the most valuable tools in meteorologists’ and hydrologists’ observational arsenals.

The satellite will provide essential data for identifying and monitoring environmental hazards, pinpointing fire hotspots, detecting changes in fire behavior, and assessing its movement and intensity. Additionally, it will monitor smoke emissions and their effects on air quality. Moreover, the satellite can identify lightning strikes that may lead to fires.

Benefits include early warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes and providing data on storm characteristics. It will also detect heavy rainfall and offer warnings of flash flood risks.

We must also mention space weather information caused by solar activities, such as solar storms. These storms can impact Earth through magnetic fields and solar particles, potentially disrupting power grids and communication and navigation systems. The satellite will indeed detect dangerous space weather.

GEOS-U is the fourth and final NOAA satellite in the GEOS-R series. It will operate in synchronization with GEOS-18 and cover more than half of the planet Earth – from New Zealand to the west coast of Africa and from near the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle.

Energy portal

EBRD Lends up to EUR 30 Million to Željeznički Prevoz Crne Gore a.d.

02.07.2024

fernzug-voz-lokomotiva — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Balazs Busznyak)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a senior loan of up to EUR 30 million to Željeznički Prevoz Crne Gore a.d. (ZPCG), the passenger train operator in Montenegro.

The loan, which will be guaranteed by the government of Montenegro, will be used to purchase three electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains, which will run across the country’s rail network. The new rolling stock will replace the old, energy-inefficient, locomotive-hauled trains currently in operation and will improve the comfort, quality and reliability of transport services.

The government of Montenegro has identified the improvement of rail passenger services as a priority for the development of the railway sector in the country and the promotion of modal shift from passenger cars to rail transport.

The project includes technical assistance to support project implementation and procurement, with EUR 325,000 in funding from the EBRD’s Shareholder Special Fund. In addition, the company will receive technical assistance, support and funding from the EU Reform Facility to enhance its corporate governance practices, standards and public service contract.

The signing was attended by Montenegrin Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Filip Radulović, Ilinka Pavicević, Executive Director of ZPCG, Remon Zakaria, Head of Montenegro for the EBRD, and Sue Barrett, Director, Head of Infrastructure for Europe, Middle East and Africa at the EBRD.

Novica Vuković, Montenegrin Minister of Finance stated: “It is our pleasure that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has been our strategic partner for many years, both through the public and private sectors, investing over 800 million euros through various investments, including traffic infrastructure. Today, the signed credit arrangement between the Railway Transport of Montenegro and the EBRD, with the guarantee of the State, will enable the purchase of up to three sets of four-part electric motor sets, which will be used on the entire railway network of Montenegro. The new rolling stock will replace the old, energy-inefficient locomotive-hauled sets that are currently in use. Also, the project will support the development of the rail transport sector through the modernization of the rolling stock, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions by switching from road to rail transport. It is clear that the introduction of environmentally friendly solutions is no longer a trend, but a real need and a direction to choose. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the exceptional cooperation and continuous support in the financing of projects that will enable Montenegro to achieve its key foreign policy goal, which is full membership in the European Union.”

Ilinka Pavicević, Executive Director of ZPCG stated: “On behalf of the Railway Transport of Montenegro, I am pleased to announce the start of the implementation of one of the largest investment projects related to the modernization of the rolling stock of Montenegrin railways. It is a loan arrangement that is realized with the support of the EBRD bank in the amount of 30 million euros, and which will be intended for the purchase of new electric trains for the needs of local railway passenger traffic. After almost 13 years, we have the opportunity to announce the purchase of new trains that will significantly improve the quality of the railway service in Montenegro. After the signing of the loan agreement and the guarantee agreement, the selection of consultants for this project will follow, which will be carried out in accordance with the public procurement policy and rules of the EBRD Bank. After the selection of consultants, the announcement and implementation of an international two-phase tender for the procurement of new trains will follow, about which the interested parties and the public will be informed in due time”.

Sue Barrett, EBRD Director, Head of Infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “The signing of this loan today demonstrates the EBRD’s continued support for Montenegro’s railway sector by helping the train operator provide better quality rail services for its passengers. This project will also help to promote the use of green and safe transport, in line with the Bank’s green economy objectives. The EBRD is committed to further supporting the sustainable development of Montenegro’s transport infrastructure in cooperation with its partner institutions, with the aim of promoting the country’s economic and regional integration.”

Remon Zakaria, EBRD Head of Montenegro, said: “The acquisition of these EMU sets will significantly improve the safety, quality and comfort of ZPCG’s services. Passengers can expect more reliable and punctual train services, leading to increased satisfaction and trust in the national rail system. Replacing the old, energy-inefficient, locomotive-hauled trains with new EMUs will significantly reduce energy consumption and, hence, emissions. This transition to more environmentally friendly rolling stock aligns with Montenegro’s commitment to sustainable development and to reducing its carbon footprint. We are confident that this loan will play a pivotal role in transforming Montenegro’s railway services, delivering tangible benefits to both operator and passengers.”

Since Montenegro joined the EBRD in 2006, the Bank has invested more than EUR 800 million in 86 projects there. The Bank’s priorities for the country are to support competitiveness, the green transition and its further integration into regional and global markets.

Source: EBRD

Financing the Energy Sector – The Debt-Equity Relationship

01.07.2024

novac — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

The answer to who holds the largest share of investments is corporations. However, households and governments also play a crucial role in this regard. Specifically, households have significantly increased their participation since 2015, particularly through the use of solar panels, energy efficiency measures, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and more. On the other hand, the governments support such investments through measures such as tax incentives.

According to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the capital structure of investments in the global energy sector has remained stable since 2015. The report addresses the relationship between debt and equity in financing this sector.

Currently, debt accounts for about 46 per cent of total costs, while equity makes up about 54 per cent. To clarify, debt represents the portion of money borrowed, for example, from banks. On the other hand, equity, as the word itself suggests, represents the investor’s own capital.

However, debt is not the same for all energy sources. For instance, national oil companies rely less on borrowing compared to their competitors, with the percentage of debt being about 35 per cent of total investments.

As the report states, high energy prices following the COVID-19 pandemic and events in Ukraine have enabled fossil fuel companies to reduce their debt levels in recent years.

In contrast, clean energy, such as wind or solar power, requires higher initial costs, resulting in debt financing comprising about 50 per cent.

Another interesting example is new technologies such as battery storage or hydrogen supply. Their debt share is significantly lower, at around 20 per cent. The reason for this lies in the fact that these technologies are associated with higher risks. Consequently, development teams rely less on borrowing and instead seek to secure finances through venture capital. To clarify, these are investors who specialize in risky investments. They aim to invest in new technologies that carry risk but also offer the potential for significant success.

Energetski portal

ABB’s 2030 and 2050 Science-Based Targets Approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

01.07.2024

ABB_Sustainability_Agenda_-_Pillar_image_-_Enabling_a_low-carbon_society — Photo: ABB

ABB welcomes the approval of its emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As part of the company’s efforts to enable a low-carbon society ABB submitted updated scope 1, 2 and 3 targets for 2030 and 2050 to the SBTi. The approval of ABB’s science-based targets by the SBTi confirms ABB’s approach as science-based in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

The SBTi approved the following ABB targets:

Near term targets

Reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions 80 percent by 2030 versus a 2019 baseline
Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 25 percent by 2030 from a 2022 baseline

Long term targets

Reduce Scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions 100 percent by 2050 versus a 2019 baseline
Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 90 percent by 2050 from a 2022 baseline
Reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050

Anke Hampel, Group Head of Sustainability at ABB, said: “As a technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB is at the core of accelerating the energy transition. We are committed to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050 and have already achieved a 76 percent reduction versus our 2019 baseline. With our new Scope 3 targets we will increase our engagement with our value chain partners on decarbonization whilst providing products and solutions to our customers to enable them to scale-up renewables, increase energy efficiency, electrify processes and reduce emissions. The validation of our updated targets by the Science-Based Targets initiative demonstrates that our ambitions and methodology align with the latest climate science.”

To discover more about the company’s strategy and sustainability performance ABB’s 2023 Integrated and Sustainability reports can be accessed and downloaded here: go.abb/reports

The SBTi Net-Zero Standard is the world’s only framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. It provides the guidance and tools companies need to set science-based net-zero targets.

Source: ABB

Green Transformation of the Republic of Croatia

30.06.2024

croatia-hrvatska — Photo-illustratio: Pixabay (neufal54)

Access to European Union funds provides the Republic of Croatia with the necessary finances for investments in infrastructure construction, as well as green and digital transition. Thanks to this, the country can implement numerous reforms and projects faster and with better quality, boosting its economy and creating new opportunities, especially in green and clean technologies. In an interview for Energy Portal Magazine, Damir Habijan, Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, talked about the green transition, investments in renewable energy sources and how the Republic of Croatia plans to achieve its goals and become climate neutral.

Q: The Republic of Croatia is committed to implementing the Green Plan for Europe, which aims to make the continent climate-neutral by 2050. How do you plan to accomplish your goals?

A: The Republic of Croatia fully supports the implementation of the Green Plan for Europe and is fully committed to making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In this context, all EU Member States started drafting National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) in 2019, which set three main goals related to decarbonization: reduction of CO2, the share of renewable energy sources in final consumption and increase of energy efficiency. All the stated goals are set at the EU level. It should be noted that these goals have been constantly raised during the last five years, both because of the Fit for 55 package and the REPowerEU plan, devised due to the aggression against Ukraine, which largely led to the drastic jump in energy prices. That is why the European Commission has set a clear goal with the REPowerEU plan to rid the EU of its dependence on fossil fuel imports, especially from unreliable partners, as soon as possible. The plan mentioned above boosts the effort related to decarbonization, which, in addition to reducing greenhouse gases, should also reduce the European Union’s dependence on energy imports from third countries.

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Q: What does the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience bring, and when will it be implemented?

A: The National Plan for Recovery and Resilience is another important document that envisages a series of reforms and investments that will ensure a green and digital transition and better functioning of the state administration. The document was created based on the EU Regulation and is a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, we, as a state, have highlighted which reforms we consider necessary and proposed activities and investments with which we will implement them. On the other hand, the plan brought significant financial resources, which initiated a series of economic activities. For example, after the NPOO Addendum worth about 4.5 billion euros was approved in December 2023, the total amount of funds we have at our disposal increased from 5.5 to 10 billion euros. That is about 15 per cent of our annual GDP. The significance of this is shown by the fact that this percentage is the highest in the EU; that is, no other member state has agreed on such a high percentage of NPOO funds in relation to their economy size. The Republic of Croatia has received 3.5 billion euros so far. It should be noted that Croatia is among the first three EU countries that sent the fourth request for disbursement of payment under the NPOO auspices, and we expect the payment of an additional 163 million euros in grants soon. I would like to note the example of the energy sector, to which, after the revision of the NPOO, 1.4 billion euros were allocated. A large part of that money is aimed at the green transition. The rest is invested in the security of supply and diversification of sources for Southeast Europe. The green transition is also financed in other sectors, such as water management, waste, etc.

Q: How significant are investments in renewable energy sources?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mike Swigunski)

A: Investments in renewable energy sources (RES) are significant, and considering our geographical position, we have great RES potential. In the southern part of the country, we can see large-scale investments in wind farms and solar power plants, as well as in northern Croatia. Integrated solar power plants, installed on roofs or in the vicinity of houses, other buildings and factories, are particularly important to us. They increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix and ensure the inclusion of individuals and small business owners and their active participation in the energy transition. Equally important are the large hydropower plants that also produce the so-called green electricity. Besides wind, water, and sun, geothermal energy and bioeconomy (biogas and biomass) should also help us with this. Linking biogas and biomass to agricultural production ensures a green transition. In terms of geothermal energy, we have highly favorable conditions for using the geothermal energy accumulated underground in the Pannonian Basin, which has a geothermal gradient as much as 60 per cent higher than the European average. To use this potential as efficiently and effectively as possible, the 2030 Geothermal Potential Development Plan of the Republic of Croatia was drawn up due to the need to ensure the further development and use of domestic renewable potential, which should be utilized more widely in energy transformation for the production of electricity, i.e. for heating and cooling. So, regarding renewable energy sources, the Energy Development Strategy sets a target of at least 2,500 new MW in producing electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Still, thanks in large part to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and our investments in the transmission power grid, I assure you that we will achieve this goal earlier, that is, in 2028.

Interview by Milica Radičević

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

Good Management of Protected Areas Leads to Better Nature Conservation

29.06.2024

ilse-4xBoEgF8ziE-unsplash — Photo: Unsplash (Ilse)

The Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, which deals with the protection and improvement of natural heritage, currently has 472 protected areas in Serbia under its jurisdiction, spanning 762,960 hectares or 8.62 per cent of the territory of our country. Various institutions and organizations can manage protected areas in Serbia, including public and communal municipal companies, cultural centers, tourist and non-governmental organizations, civil sector associations, church dioceses, and individuals in the case of protected trees. The same goes for the quality of management at different levels regarding implementing measures and ensuring the required finances and logistics, as well as personnel and management priorities related to preserving, monitoring, and protecting biodiversity and geodiversity. Understanding the importance of all social actors for the management of protected areas begins with evaluating a specific area during the drafting of the Nature Conservation Study.

Nataša Panić, head of the Department for Educational & Publishing Activities and Communications at the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, says that in addition to the assessment of all the values of the protected areas, an integral part of the mentioned Study is the analysis of the interested public, with a particular emphasis on the population of the future protected area and an assessment of their needs. Reviewing the development plans and initiatives related to the population and local communities is the basis for providing guidelines for the sustainable development of the area and management measures of the protected area.

“Participation of all stakeholders in the protection and development of the future protected area is implemented later through the process of declaring a certain area as protected by conducting a public inspection procedure and having a public discussion related to the Conservation Study and the proposal of the Regulation on the declaration of a certain area as protected. Only based on the consent of all participants in the public inspection and public discussion process can the procedure for declaring the area protected be finalized”, Ms Panić says and adds that after obtaining the status of a protected natural asset and appointing a manager for that particular area, comes further coordination of all social actors in the protection and development of the area by the institution or the organization that has been assigned this function.

She goes on to say that the following are of particular importance in improving the management of protected areas – hiring professional staff who will be multidisciplinary, conducting training, providing the necessary finances and logistics, and facilitating development that will be harmonized with nature without jeopardizing natural values and establishing a partnership with all interested parties. Monitoring and networking with the information systems of various nature conservation institutes and institutions, working on improving the quality of life of local communities, implementation of projects and generating profit for the protected area, but also networking with international partner institutions and programmes and development of eco-tourism infrastructure together with visitors are all important, as are implementation of educational programmes for different target groups and branding of local products that come from the protected area.

IN FOCUS:

Management of natural resources

As part of its activities, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia also assesses if a certain organization or institution meets the staffing and logistical requirements and can propose a manager for the area for which the Conservation Study is being drafted. The work and activities in the protected area, which are related to the conservation, arrangement, maintenance and implementation of protection and development measures, as well as ensuring security services, are carried out based on the Decree on the declaration of conservation and management documents issued, with an assigned manager being responsible for the Decree’s implementation.

“The Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia issues the manager with a list of nature conservation conditions incorporated into the said documents. The manager also cooperates with communal services and relevant inspectors to prevent and eliminate illegal activities in the protected area. The Institute also carries out professional supervision to review the program’s implementation and management plan in accordance with the given nature conservation conditions,” Ms Panić explains.

To fulfil obligations related to the conservation, improvement and promotion of natural and other values and sustainable use of the protected area, the manager must meet the professional, staffing, and organizational requirements according to the Law on Nature Protection and the Rulebook on the prerequisites that the manager of the protected area must meet. According to that Rulebook, the manager must implement organized conservation, improvement and promotion of sustainable development of the protected area and guard service. Good staff and appropriate technical equipment are also needed, both chosen by the manager. The manager is also in charge of implementing the Management Plan, i.e. its scope and type of planned activities, which largely depends on the staff’s skills and technical equipment.

Serbia also has a concept of public-private partnership (PPP), which is not sufficiently developed. Still, based on the model of good area management in the region, PPP is considered a good option.

Prepared by Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

First-Ever Global Renewables Summit Announced to Drive Action to Triple Renewable Power by 2030

28.06.2024

solar — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (karsten-wurth)

The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the governments of Barbados and Kenya, the European Commission, the COP28 and COP29 Presidencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University – SIPA announced the Global Renewables Summit, the first-ever high-level public-private summit to discuss the progress, opportunities, and challenges of tripling renewable energy globally by 2030. The Summit will be held in New York from 23-25 September on the margins of the 79th UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

Following the first Global Stocktake adopted at COP28, and captured in the historic UAE Consensus, which calls for tripling the world’s renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency gains by 2030 and ensuring deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with a pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C in a nationally determined manner, the Summit will serve as a platform to advance key areas of action to scale-up renewable deployment this decade, especially in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The organising partners represent a unique coalition of governments, private sector, philanthropy, international organisations, and academia and demonstrates the collective momentum and drive to accelerate the pace and scale of the transition to renewable energy.

“The historic global renewable target was not plucked from the air. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook projected the need to triple renewable power capacity to over 11,000 GW globally by 2030 for a 1.5°C aligned pathway. Now, we must build on the success of COP28 and mobilize action. As global custodian, IRENA will monitor progress and provide recommendations across energy transition priorities and this first-ever Renewables Summit is an important milestone to maintain momentum and drive implementation towards 2030,” said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

“Transitioning from coal and other fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to solving the climate crisis,” said Antha Williams, who leads the environment program at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“The world must triple renewable energy by 2030. The deployment and investment levels in emerging and developing economies remains far below the scale and pace needed. Rapidly scaling up deployment in these countries is crucial to curb emissions and protect people’s health and our economies from the worst effects of climate change. Bloomberg Philanthropies look forward to bringing together world leaders and experts to exchange insights and mobilise action to help achieve a clean energy future for all,” she added.

“At COP28, a coalition of private sector, civil society, governments, and multilateral organisations collectively secured a global target to triple renewables by 2030. Now, it’s time for action. Renewable technologies are mature and competitive, and the industries are ready to deliver, but the right policy frameworks and implementation are now urgently required. We are honoured to co-host this unique public-private summit with some of the leading organisations in the world to ignite a worldwide race to the top, accelerating action on finance, permits, grids, and supply chains to unleash the full potential of renewables,” said Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance.

The Summit will feature an opening segment with participation of governments followed by high-level multi-stakeholder roundtables on key topics including access to finance, supply chains, permitting and grid infrastructure. The Summit will provide a space for governments to deliberate on the target of increasing global energy storage six-fold by 2030 and to consider including sectoral renewable energy targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions due in 2025. The organising partners will also present announcements and reports in support of the tripling renewables target.

You can read the entire text here.

Source: IRENA

Negative Bidding Continues to Burden Offshore Wind Development

28.06.2024

vetar — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Nicholas Doherty)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Levan Badzgaradze)

Germany and the Netherlands have recently issued the results of their latest offshore wind auction. They awarded a total capacity of 6.5 GW. That’s good for Europe’s energy transition. But the auction design in both countries included negative bidding. This puts unnecessary additional pressure on offshore wind developers – with adverse consequences for the wider wind energy supply chain and Europe’s electricity consumers.

Germany and the Netherlands have recently awarded 6.5 GW of new offshore wind projects. Germany awarded 2.5 GW and the Netherlands 4 GW. To put this in context the EU has 19 GW of offshore wind in operation today.

The auctions in both countries used negative bidding, where wind farm developers bid the amount of money they’re ready to pay for the right to build a wind farm – and the higher the price you bid the more likely you are to win. Most other countries in Europe use Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions where developers bid the amount of revenue they think they need, and the lowest bid wins.

If you win a negative bidding auction your revenue will be whatever is the wholesale market price of electricity. If you win a CfD auction your revenue will be whatever you bid in the auction, and if the market prices are higher than the agreed strike price, you pay the difference to the Government.

The negative bidding amounts are a straight add-on to the costs of developing an offshore wind farm. It’s extra money the developer has to pay which they don’t pay in a CfD auction. Project developers have to pass on these costs. Either to the wind energy supply chain which is still recovering from supply disruptions and cost increases. And/or to electricity consumers in the form of higher electricity prices.

The auction results

The results of the latest German auction were:

TotalEnergies will pay 1.958bn euros to develop the N-11.2 site which has a capacity of around 1.5 GW. So they’re paying 1.3m euros per MW.
EnBW will pay 1.065bn euros to develop the roughly 1 GW N12.3 site. That’s 1.1m euros per MW.

The results of the latest Dutch auction were:

UK-based SSE Renewables and the Dutch state pension fund APG and ABP will pay €40mn to develop the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Alpha site. That’s 20,000 euros per MW.
Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners will pay 800mn euros to develop the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Beta site. That’s 400,000 euros per MW.

Germany and the Netherlands both used negative bidding in their previous offshore wind auctions already. The Netherlands previously applied a cap on the bids which equated to 70,000 euros per MW – their cap is higher now. Germany doesn’t apply a cap. The winners of their previous auction, BP and Total Energies, are paying 12.6bn euros for the right to develop 7 GW – which equates to 1.8m euros per MW.

Negative bidding also means higher financing costs than you get with wind farms that are awarded in a CfD auction. The latter have fixed revenue, so banks feel much more comfortable offering more debt finance. But projects awarded in a negative bidding auction have variable revenue – the market price of electricity. So they need to rely more on (more expensive) equity finance – though they can mitigate this by signing PPAs with offtakers.

“Negative bidding increases the costs of offshore wind. Costs that have to be passed on to consumers and the wind energy supply chain. It may be a short-term gain for finance ministries. But it’s a long-term cost for society”, says WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.

Non-price criteria

The Dutch auction made extensive use of non-price criteria. For the Alpha site these were about biodiversity protection. For the Beta site it was system integration. The winning bidders made significant commitments to invest in these respective areas. Vattenfall and CIP have among other things committed to build a 1 GW electrolyser facility in Rotterdam which will run on renewable electricity from the Beta site. And the Alpha wind farm is designed as a “living laboratory” – more than 75 per cent of the wind turbines in the wind farm will have artificial reefs for muscles and other maritime animals.

“The Dutch auction shows the European wind industry has a great offering on ecology and system integration. We are building new wind farms and creating lasting value for Europe’s environment and energy system”, says Giles Dickson.

The German auction used price criteria only.

What’s the money used for?

In Germany 90 per cent of the money raised from negative bidding will be used to reduce the grid levies. The other 10 per cent are used to support maritime biodiversity and sustainable fishing practices. OK. But building these wind farms requires a strengthening of Germany’s offshore wind supply chain and an expansion of port capacity. The German Government should consider putting some of the money into that as well.

Source: WindEurope

ABB Investing 35 Million Dollars in New U.K. Earthing and Lightning Protection Factory

27.06.2024

Plot_A2_-_CGI_View_7_ELIP_Nottingham — Photo: ABB

Lightning strikes and electrical surges disrupt critical operations and cause billions of dollars in damage to structures and equipment each year. With growing reliance on electronics and data centers, ABB is investing more than 35 million dollars (27 million pounds), in a greenfield facility in Nottingham, United Kingdom, to meet increased demand for Furse® earthing and lightning protection solutions. The new state-of-the-art site is expected to open in early 2025 and will integrate advanced technology, flexible automation, R&D and testing, and digital processes to boost production capacity and enhance efficiency and sustainability.

More than 100 employees will relocate to the new 9,500 m2 facility from the existing 6,300 m2 ABB Installation Products Nottingham foundry, which has continually operated for over a century in the area where Furse originated in 1893. In addition to an expanded footprint, the site will be constructed in line with the BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainable building standards and include efficient equipment and technology, photovoltaic rooftop cells, electric vehicle charging stations, and processes centered on reducing waste and energy. The space will be designed to support collaboration and training, accelerate R&D, and drive automation to serve European customers and increase available inventory globally.

Worldwide, an estimated 1.4 billion lightning flashes occur annually, equal to over 42 strikes each second. Even indirect lightning strikes up to a kilometer away can create transient overvoltages and have devastating consequences such as fire, shock hazards, equipment damage and costly outages, resulting in downtime and financial losses. Furse solutions from ABB Installation Products are engineered to provide reliable earthing, lightning risk, and electronic systems and surge protection, helping safeguard structures and the electrical systems within. The products are used in more than 20 countries across a broad range of applications and environments, from data centers and medical facilities to essential infrastructure, utilities and renewable energy.

“This important investment builds on 130 years of Furse technology, enabling us to remain at the forefront of earthing and lightning protection and deliver solutions that improve safety and reliability for our customers. As part of our global growth strategy, we continue to expand our capabilities and capacity, further strengthening ABB’s manufacturing footprint and supply chain and regionalizing production of high-demand electrical solutions customers, installers and distribution partners need,” said Khalid Mandri President, ABB Installation Products Division. “Building this site in Nottinghamshire further reinforces our commitment to the industries we serve and to the community where we have operated for more than a century and want to continue to be a leading employer.”

The UK investment adds to more than 165 million dollars in ABB Installation Products global expansions and improvements since 2020 to increase manufacturing capacity, drive innovation and sustainability, and bring needed products closer to customers. ABB Installation Products currently has six locations in Europe in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland and the UK where it employs more than 100 associates in Nottingham who develop, test and produce a broad range of Furse solutions. The new campus will occupy nearly five acres in Fairham Business Park, within close proximity of ABB’s existing Wilford Road site and is accessible for employees, customers, suppliers and distribution partners.

“We are continually advancing solutions across electrification, and the earthing and lightning protection lifecycle. Our new facility is a leap forward in design and technology, positioning us for the future while enabling us to preserve resources and reduce energy and water consumption aligned with circularity and sustainability priorities across ABB’s operations,” stated Andrea Castella, Europe Region Leader, ABB Installation Products.

Building on its long history of pioneering in electrification, ABB Installation Products creates solutions to safely connect and protect electrical systems that power businesses, cities, homes and transportation. With more than 200,000 products under 38 premium brand names, ABB Installation Products, formerly Thomas & Betts, solutions are found wherever electricity is used around the world and in space.

Source: ABB

Charge&GO Pushes the Boundaries of E-Mobility

26.06.2024

Charge&GO continues to expand its network of chargers, accelerating the pace as the summer season approaches. The charging infrastructure is the foundation on which the future of electromobility is built, which is why improving the charger map in Serbia and the region is entirely in line with global trends.

The company Charge&GO recently added new chargers for electric CHARGE&GO PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF E-MOBILITY vehicles to its network and announced exciting plans for this year, especially for tourists going to the sea via North Macedonia in an electric car this summer. Some of the new chargers are already operational and available to users, while the rest will soon be on the Charge&GO map.

A 120-kilowatt charger was recently installed at the OMV gas station on the bypass near Surčin, while a 150-kilowatt charger will be put into operation on the other side of the highway, also at the OMV gas station, by the end of April. Some time ago, a 45-kilowatt charger was put into operation at the OMV gas station in Zaječar. That’s not all; the plan is to install another 60-kilowatt charger in the parking lot of the BIG shopping center in Rakovica this spring.

To conclude, two DC chargers, one in the vicinity of Belgrade and the other in Zaječar, are already online, and the other two will be operational as soon as possible.

IN FOCUS:

Safe travel throughout Europe

When developing infrastructure, the standardization of chargers is essential, which is why the European Union is working to solve this issue to facilitate international travel. When it comes to traveling to other countries, one of the company’s innovations is that registered users have a roaming platform, the largest of its kind in Europe.

With the help of this platform, of which Charge&GO is a part, numerous companies that provide electromobility services across the continent are connected in one place. At the same time, drivers are assured of easy use of chargers not only in our country and region but also abroad. Charging authorization is done via an RFID card that is already enabled for users, making the process simple and efficient. For these services, it is necessary to sign a contract whereby the procedure is not complex and is easily achievable if the request is sent to podrska@ chargego.rs. After this, the user will immediately have an ample map available when leaving our country, and there are hundreds of thousands of chargers of various companies, whereby the application will provide drivers with a simple display of arrival to the desired place.

With the continuous expansion of the network of chargers, the company Charge&GO extends the availability of its application beyond the borders of our country.

– By the beginning of the summer, the Charge&GO network will also be available in North Macedonia, with a customized version of our application for the Macedonian market – explains Tamara Zjačić, the company’s deputy director.

When the application opens on the Macedonian market, it should display a map with 10 DC chargers that will be available to drivers by mid-June.

Charge&GO is growing and expanding month by month. By the end of the year, the number of chargers will increase drastically both at the company level and throughout the country, which is why the number of electric vehicles could exceed expectations. According to certain forecasts, there should be around 3,500 fully electric vehicles in Serbia by the end of the year, although now that number is between 2,500 and 2,700 cars. Exact information on the number of registered electric vehicles is not publicly available, although a register exists in the Ministry of Interior. Data on the number of registered electric vehicles would greatly help companies such as Charge&GO since determining infrastructure needs would be easier and more precise if the number of e-vehicles and their popularity among drivers is known.

The existence of supporting infrastructure is inevitable for the further popularization of electric cars. First, it is crucial to increase the number of charging stations along highways and in urban areas, which the company Charge&GO is constantly working on.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

Iberian Lynx Rebounding Thanks to Conservation Action

25.06.2024

lynx-ris-mačka-animal — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The Iberian Lynx has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, continuing its dramatic recovery from near extinction thanks to sustained conservation efforts.

“As the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species celebrates its 60th anniversary, its importance cannot be overstated as the most complete source of information on the state of the world’s biodiversity. It is an essential tool that measures progress towards halting nature loss and achieving the 2030 global biodiversity goals. The improvement in the Red List status of the Iberian lynx shows that successful conservation works for wildlife and communities alike,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

The conservation status of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable, with the population increasing exponentially from 62 mature individuals in 2001 to 648 in 2022. Today, the total population, including young and mature lynx, is estimated to be more than 2,000.

Conservation efforts for this keystone species have focused on increasing the abundance of its prey, the Endangered European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), protecting and restoring Mediterranean scrub and forest habitat, and reducing deaths caused by human activity. Expanding the species’ genetic diversity through translocations and an ex-situ breeding programme has been key to increasing numbers. Since 2010, more than 400 Iberian lynx have been reintroduced to parts of Portugal and Spain. The Iberian lynx now occupies at least 3,320 km2, an increase from 449 km2 in 2005.

However, the Iberian lynx remains threatened, mainly due to potential fluctuations of the European rabbit population if there are further virus outbreaks. The Iberian lynx is also susceptible to diseases from domestic cats. Poaching and road kills remain threats, particularly where high traffic roads cut-through the lynx’s habitat. Habitat alterations related to climate change are a growing threat.

“The greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation, this success is the result of committed collaboration between public bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies, and community members including local landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and hunters, and the financial and logistical support of the European Union LIFE project,” said Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, Coordinator of the LIFE Lynx-Connect project, which led the conservation action for the Iberian lynx.

“There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Iberian lynx populations survive and the species recovers throughout its indigenous range. Looking ahead, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx to new sites in central and northern Spain.”

In its first Green Status of Species assessment – the global standard for measuring species recovery and assessing conservation impact – the Iberian lynx is Largely Depleted. However, its high Conservation Legacy reflects the impact of conservation efforts to date, and “enough suitable habitat remains that the species could reach Fully Recovered status in 100 years, assuming conservation efforts continue with maximum efficacy.”

Source: IUCN

Global Solar Installations Almost Double in 2023 But Leaves Emerging Economies in the Dark

24.06.2024

2023’s new solar installations would cover more than half of India’s annual electricity needs or more than Brazil’s entire consumption. Compared to Europe, the annual installations would exceed the total yearly electricity consumption of Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Czechia, Austria, Portugal, and Greece – combined.

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024-2028 reveals growth rates not seen in over a decade, since 2010 when the global solar market was only four per cent of what it is today.

Solar continues to soar amongst its renewable colleagues, installing 78 per cent of the total renewable energy installed around the world in 2023. This is reflected in the IEA World Energy Investment (WEI) 2024 report, which demonstrates that investment in solar PV in 2023 surpasses all other energy sources combined.

“The world has truly entered its solar age. The sky is no longer the limit. How far solar can go will be determined by equitable global access to financing, and the political will to deliver flexible energy systems fit for the renewable reality”, said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe.

Looking to the future, the world is set to reach more than two TW of total solar capacity this year, having only reached the one TW level in 2022. However, between 2024 and 2028, year-on-year growth is expected to slow in the face of high interest rates, an energy crisis resolved – for now, and grids around the world struggling to keep up with renewable demand.

Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe said, “It’s all just a little bit of history repeating – the world revises its solar estimates upwards and we get a glimpse at the vast potential of solar. By 2028, we could be installing more than 1 TW of solar a year. It’s now about setting targets in line with reality, and addressing the familiar challenges – permitting, regulations enabling profitable business models, and the new frontier – system flexibility, through vast amounts of battery storage capacities. The sector is ready to deliver the decarbonised energy system, and policymakers must wake up to the climate and energy security solution on their doorsteps”, said Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe.

For now, it seems that China will determine the rate of global solar growth, though it continues to be one of the most dynamic, and difficult to predict, markets. In 2023 alone, China installed 57 per cenr of global capacity – 253 GW – equivalent to the levels installed globally in 2022. On the manufacturing side, a massive scale-up of capacity have led to solar panel price collapses of around 50 per cent last year, and a growing consolidation of the solar manufacturing industry in the country.

Source: SolarPower Europe

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