SERBIA HAS GOOD PREDISPOSITIONS FOR THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY

13.02.2024

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (
Mariana Proença)

Serbia has good predispositions for the use of solar energy, said Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy in charge of International Cooperation and European Integration, adding that the country’s task is to use this natural resource to ensure a secure supply of electricity, greater energy independence and reduce harmful emissions gases.

According to her, renewable energy sources will become the main domestic source of electricity in the years ahead, and the way to achieve this is through the most economical exploitation of the available potential in the case of wind and solar energy.

“Solar energy is part of the response to the strategic challenges facing the energy sector of both Serbia and other Western Balkan countries, as it represents a clean and accessible source of energy that contributes to reducing import dependence and the emission of harmful gases,” said Ms Joksimović during the panel discussion titled “The role and importance of solar energy on the road to carbon neutrality” in Banja Luka.

She pointed out that the activities on boosting the capacity of solar energy are taking place in several directions.

“Auctions for market premiums, which were successfully implemented for the first time last year, included the quota for solar power plants, projects implemented by the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) and the projects implemented by the private sector. A good example of this is the construction of 1GW of self-balancing solar power plants, built by a consortium of companies headed by the South Korean company Hyundai Engineering, and which will be owned by EPS, i.e. the state, after completion,” she said, adding that a prosumer institute was also established that will help individuals to become active participants in the energy transition.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Raphael Cruz)

The Assistant Minister also pointed out that Serbia is in the process of adopting strategic documents that will determine the direction and dynamics of changes in the energy sector, which is undergoing energy transition.

As she pointed out, the Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate until 2030, with projections until 2050, and the new Energy Development Strategy until 2040 with projections until 2050, which will be adopted in the following period, also contain clearly defined goals.

“The integrated plan is the first strategic document that looks at climate and energy issues uniquely. It took two and a half years to draft it, while major geopolitical changes that were most reflected in the energy sector were underway. By 2030, the main goals include increasing the share of RES in electricity production to 45 per cent, reducing the emission of harmful gases by 40.4 per cent compared to 1990, as well as achieving a significant increase in energy efficiency,” said Ms Joksimović.

Energy portal

THE WORLD’S FIRST PLATFORM FOR MONITORING OCEAN SAND EXPLOITATION

11.02.2024

pesak-pustinja — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jan Kopriva)

The problem of mining sand from the ocean is not a new one. Large quantities of sand are mined and transported to be used in construction and other industries, however, not without consequences for the ocean.

After water, sand is the most used natural resource in the world. It is widely used in various industries, especially as a component of concrete and glass. Every year, around 50 billion tonnes of sand are used globally, according to certain data. This quantity of sand can cover the entire territories of some European countries, especially those in the central part of the continent.

With each new excavation, marine organisms and ecosystems are disturbed.

To combat this problem, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) launched the first public platform to monitor the dredging of sand and other sediments through a network of satellites and ground-based monitoring stations, called Marine Sand Watch. A significant proportion of dredging was found to be taking place in protected marine areas, a worrying trend that threatens biodiversity and fisheries. With the help of artificial intelligence and radio signals, the platform analyzes the movement of boats.

Marine Sand Watch not only monitors dredging at sea but can also identify ports specialized in sand trade, thereby managing to estimate the total amount of sand mined per country. According to the platform director, most of the sand is mined legally, through concessions granted by governments, the UNEP website says.

The upside of the platform is that it can help countries ensure that mining companies operate in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

The countries that currently lead in the industrial production and export of sand include the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Australia, China and Vietnam.

Energy portal

MLEKOMAP: FRESH MILK AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

11.02.2024

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Congerdesign)

In the heart of Serbia, a team of enthusiasts revived an idea that brings together small milk producers and consumers in quite a unique way. This project is called Mlekomap, designed as a non-profit platform to connect milk producers and customers, who can now purchase readily available, fresh, homemade milk. Aleksandar Džavrić, software engineer and visionary of this project, came up with this idea in early 2023 and, with the support of Miloš Jovanov and his company Green Friends, started implementing the project.

Mlekomap has many advantages for both parties. With the help of their map, a buyer is informed of the locations of registered farms that produce dairy products. By contacting nearby farms, customers can further communicate with the dairy farmer regarding their purchase.

The registration process for producers is simple – the farm registers itself by filling out the form available on the Mlekomap platform, followed by Mlekomap’s team checking the submitted information and finally adding the producer to the map.

IN FOCUS:

“As for the price and quality control, it is a matter of agreement between the buyer and the seller. If the buyer has a complaint against the seller, we immediately check it and react as required, although we haven’t had such cases so far. We have received only praise“, Aleksandar Džavrić says.

The map itself has no territorial restrictions if it complies with the relevant laws in the country in which the sale takes place. Dairy farmers in the region are facing the same difficulties as dairy farmers in Serbia. If this project can revitalize local family businesses, a farm and even a village, the idea of expanding it to the region, if the laws allow, sounds great.

In Serbia, in addition to hundreds of farms, there are several registered milk machines. The milk machines are automated devices designed to sell fresh milk directly to consumers without intermediaries. These devices are often located in central parts of cities and allow consumers easy access to fresh milk without the need for direct contact with the producer.

However, it is not that easy or cheap to get, which is why many farms still opt for direct sales. Milk machines are available 24/7, meaning consumers can buy milk whenever needed, regardless of business hours.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND BANKING

10.02.2024

The circular economy puts an end to the concept of “exploit – produce – use – throw away”. As it usually happens, we became aware of climate change, the incredible amount of waste surrounding us and the terrible pollution only when the situation became alarming. The circular economy’s mission is to rethink what waste is and whether waste can be further used as raw material. But the circular economy does not stop there – it insists on the systematic application of the so-called 3R principles – recycle, reuse, and reduce the use of resources. The circular economy is the answer to the call to think, pay attention to our surroundings and realize that we must use resources more rationally.

Circular economy in the banking sector

“It is probably too early to assess the banking sector’s role in implementing the circular economy in Serbia. Progress toward sustainable business and the implementation of ESG standards certainly exists. However, the transition to the circular economy will be demanding and long-lasting. We at ProCredit Bank believe that we will motivate companies to invest in environmentally responsible and sustainable business through more attractive financing conditions for green projects and by personal example,” said Dragan Reščik, Head of the HR and Marketing Department at ProCredit Bank.

In cooperation with the GEFF, ProCredit Bank offers up to 20 per cent refund of funds spent on green projects. Still, at the same time, it is guided by a list of excluded activities, and by the estimated impact on the environment and sustainable development, it carefully selects the projects it finances. Furthermore, ProCredit advisors provide a full set of services for business clients. Through continuous training, they are fit to be advisors to companies in the truest sense of the word and offer solutions for boosting energy efficiency according to the client’s business model.

IN FOCUS:

“Green energy and responsible management of resources are, unfortunately, not the cheapest option in the short term. However, their long-term return and social importance compensate and greatly exceed the investment. With expertise, an individual approach and many years of experience, our advisors have managed to empower clients to think seriously about the latest waste management solutions, and we are proud that our portfolio includes companies that recycle plastic, metal, and other waste, as well as do composting,” Mr. Reščik added.

Adaptation implies that ProCredit Bank employees think twice about whether they should print something, whether they closed the window when turning on the air conditioner and how they treat the resources at their disposal.

“We have installed smart metres and sensors in all our facilities. We always know how much water and electricity we use; if an accident occurs, we can react immediately. Without these sensors, we would have to wait for the next electricity or water bill to see that something is wrong or that the damage is visible to the naked eye,” explains Stanislava Milošević from the Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection Department, which has been with the Bank for ten years.

ProCredit Bank

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Net-Zero Industry Act: Council and Parliament strike a deal to boost EU’s green industry

08.02.2024

wind-turbine-vetro-vetropark — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Freepik (@
Oleksandr Ryzhkov)

The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal on the regulation establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem, better known as the ‘net-zero industry act’ (NZIA). The regulation aims at boosting the industrial deployment of net-zero technologies needed to achieve EU’s climate goals, using the strength of the single market to reinforce Europe’s leadership in industrial green technologies.

Under agreement, there will be a single list of net-zero technologies, with criteria for selecting strategic projects in those technologies that will contribute better to decarbonisation.

The industrial contribution towards climate neutrality

The net-zero industry act aims to ease conditions for investing in green technologies, by simplifying permit-granting procedures and supporting strategic projects. It also proposes to ease market access for strategic technology products, enhance the skills of the European workforce in these sectors (notably through the launching of net-zero industry academies) and create a platform to coordinate EU action in this area.

To foster innovation, the net-zero industry act proposes favourable regulatory frameworks to be created for developing, testing and validating innovative technologies (known as regulatory sandboxes).

Progress towards the objectives of the net-zero industry act will be measured by two indicative benchmarks: reaching 40 per cent of the production required to cover EU’s needs in strategic technology products, and their evolution in comparison to world production for products such as solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, batteries and heat pumps. The proposal also sets a specific target for CO2 carbon capture and storage, with an annual injection capacity of at least 50 million tonnes to be achieved by 2030.

Main elements of the agreement

The provisional agreement supports the main objectives of the net-zero industry act that were proposed by the Commission less than a year ago, while introducing several improvements, such as streamlined rules on construction permit procedures, creation of net-zero industrial valleys, and more clarity on criteria for public procurement and auctioning.

Scope and list of technologies

The new regulation is intended to provide easier conditions and certainty to investors and promoters of net-zero technology manufacturing projects. The projects identified as having a greater potential for decarbonisation will benefit from fast-track permit procedures for construction or expansion and guidance in accessing finance.

Given that member states have the right to choose between different energy sources, they will not be obliged to recognise as strategic projects those related to a technology that is not accepted as part of their energy mix.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (arteum-ro)

Fast permit-granting processes

The time limit for delivering a permit for constructing or expanding large net-zero technology manufacturing projects (more than 1 gigawatt), as well as those not measured in gigawatts, will be a maximum of 18 months. For smaller projects (less than 1 gigawatt), the time limit for delivering the permit will be 12 months. Shorter deadlines will be set for strategic projects. In addition, and independently of the time limits, the procedure will ensure that such projects are safe, secure and environmentally sustainable and that they comply with environmental, social and safety requirements.

Industrial valleys

The future regulation will promote the development of net-zero acceleration ‘valleys’ (territories that concentrate several companies involved with a certain technology). The objectives of those valleys are to create clusters of net-zero industrial activity so as to increase the attractiveness of the EU as a location for manufacturing activities and to further streamline the administrative procedures for setting up net-zero manufacturing capacity. They will contribute to the reindustrialisation of regions.

Public procurement

The rules governing the way public authorities will purchase goods, works and services related to strategic net-zero technologies are designed to better ensure that requirements are transparent, implementable, and harmonised and that the supply of those technologies to the EU is diversified, while safeguarding sufficient flexibility for contracting authorities.

The act agreed on today regulates the use of schemes incentivising the purchase of net-zero technology products and defines sustainability and resilience contributions in public procurement procedures. The environmental sustainability contribution will be a mandatory minimum requirement, while the resilience contribution will be applied if there is a third-country dependence of more than 50 per cent for a specific strategic net-zero technology (or for its components). This criterion will only be considered if the Commission has first assessed the level of dependence of each technology from a particular third country.

If the application of the resilience and sustainability contribution results in a disproportionate cost difference or if no suitable tenders or requests have been submitted, contracting authorities may decide to not apply these criteria.

Auctions to deploy renewable energy sources

The provisional agreement establishes that when a member state designs an auction for the deployment of renewable energy technologies, they will be able to apply both pre-qualification and award criteria which are not price-related, such as environmental sustainability, contribution to innovation or integration of energy systems. These criteria will have to apply to at least 30 per cent of the volume auctioned every year per member state.

The Commission will define the criteria for procurement and auctioning and will revise the volume auctioned in the light of an assessment of the functioning of the system.

Next steps

The provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions.

Source: European Council

HOW DID PAKISTAN’S LIBRARY BECOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?

06.02.2024

knjige_biblioteka — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Freepik (rawpixel.com)

A project was recently implemented in Pakistan that resulted in a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of a public facility. The Raziuddin Siddiqui Memorial Library in Islamabad, known for its collection of over two million books, CDs and DVDs, is now also noted for its commitment to energy efficiency.

The library replaced all the pipes on the ground floor with energy-saving LEDs. This move has led to a reduction in energy consumption for lighting by approximately 75 percent, while simultaneously improving lighting quality and reducing costs.

LEDs consume only a quarter of the energy compared to the previous system. This initiative is part of a wider effort by governmental and non-governmental organizations to encourage the use of more energy-efficient and high-quality lighting solutions, according to the UNEP website.

This project is of particular importance in the context of the energy situation in Pakistan, which relies on diverse energy sources and faces energy deficits, especially during the summer months, considering that the country has a population of over 231 million.

Besides this project, Pakistan implemented another large-scale initiative called “Billion Tree Tsunami”, a project launched ten years ago whose goal is to plant a billion trees. This project exceeded its goals, with the project resulting in planting of over one billion trees thanks to which 350,000 hectares of forest land were restored. This initiative has gained global recognition as a successful example of combating climate change through forest restoration.

Energy portal

EU DIRECTIVE WILL ESTABLISH THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE FOR WATER TREATMENT

05.02.2024

mulj_prerada — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Ivan Bandura)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Naja Bertolt)

The European Commission reacted positively to the temporary political agreement concerning the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which is a significant step in the protection of human health and the environment from the consequences of urban pollution.

The revised directive aims to clean up rivers, lakes, groundwater and seas across Europe, reducing the harmful effects of urban wastewater.

The new directive standards introduce a number of key changes. The first is the removal of usable nutrients from urban wastewater and the implementation of stricter standards for micropollutants. It is important to note that the directive will now apply to a larger number of areas, including smaller agglomerations with more than 1,000 inhabitants.

In accordance with the polluter pays principle, which now takes centre stage with the revised directive, the new legislative framework should ensure that certain industries bear part of the costs of environmental protection, thus reducing the burden that falls on consumers through various tariffs.

This important novelty, i.e. the polluter pays principle, will be specifically applied in the water sector, while the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry will have to cover at least 80 percent of the costs of removing microplastics.

Another novelty is the improvement of rainwater management, which has become increasingly important in the context of climate change. The directive foresees measures to better manage these challenges.

We recently reported about how the city of Zagreb is investing money in this very issue, given that the Balkan region in 2023 faced large amounts of precipitation during supercell storms. The Mayor of Zagreb pointed out that the main goal of those investments is to prevent urban flooding, which is becoming more frequent due to intense rains that exceed the capacity of the existing drainage system. Currently, Zagreb uses a mixed drainage system, where both rainwater and sewage liquid are drained through the same channels. This system can lead to flooding of polluted waters when heavy rains exceed the system’s capacity, the Zagreb authorities say.

Energy portal

AUSTRALIA’S SOLAR REVOLUTION STARTS ON ROOFTOPS

05.02.2024

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (giorgio-trovato)

It is a well-known fact that Australia is one of the largest countries in the world with an area of 7.6 million square metres, which is why it does not have a uniform climate. However, certain northern parts of the country can have over 300 sunny days a year. Even the southern parts, such as the state of Victoria or South Australia, which have a different climate, have enough sun for this country to embark on the development of solar energy.

Of the total electricity production in 2022, 32 percent came from renewable sources, but this figure is growing year-on-year, the Government’s website says. This growth was also driven by the increased use of rooftop solar panels, which had a decent share in electricity production. Therein lies idiosyncracy when it comes to solar energy in this country – individuals and their homes lag behind this solar panel growth. For instance, on the last day of the year 2023, generated rooftop solar power alone covered the electricity needs of one Australian state.

A report by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) mentions this increase, specifically pointing to the significant contribution of rooftop solar plants. The same report also reveals that in the fourth quarter of 2023, average generation from distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems reached an all-time high of 3,433MW, up 17 percent from the same period in 2022, also setting a record for any quarter so far.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Bill Mead)

This means that the contribution of small technologies of a group of individuals is not insignificant or irrelevant, but influences the country’s energy transition. Considering the research that shows that almost a third of the houses in the country have rooftop solar panels, we can say that Australia is one of the leading countries when it comes to rooftop solar plants per capita. At the state level, this number stands at 10 percent, as reported by local research and the media.

In order to meet the ambitious targets Australia has set when it comes to renewable sources, more massive technology is needed, whether it is solar, wind, water or some other form of energy. There are infrastructural obstacles to this in the country, given its size. Still, Australia has a relatively small population, which means that large state-owned solar power projects can often be far from the main consumer groups, which further complicates the infrastructure and the transmission challenge while increasing infrastructure-related costs.

Energy portal

EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES – PANEL BY PANEL TO POWER PLANT

04.02.2024

IMG_20230408_224422 — Photo: Elektropionir

In light of the development of the modern energy sector, Elektropionir – an energy cooperative formed around 2019 – has become a beacon for people who are actively looking for a better position in this sector. The cooperative’s team raises awareness of the challenges that individuals, as natural persons, face when trying to produce their own electricity. Through its members’ personal insights and experiences, Elektropionir identified disharmony in the legal framework, which did not recognize individual electricity producers as an integral part of the extensive power grid. Then, a slight change happened, illuminating the path towards creating a mechanism to introduce the community into a collective energy enterprise. Jelena Nikolić, a doctoral candidate in energy management and a member of the Elektropionir Energy Cooperative, elaborates on the cooperative’s work and its most renowned project.

Following the cooperative principles, this cooperative is a legal entity that strategically organizes its members while promoting voluntary and open membership, democratic organization (one member/one vote), economic participation of all cooperative members, inter-cooperative cooperation through participation in the European umbrella organization of energy cooperatives – REScoop – as well as autonomy in business. Education has always been the central pillar EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES – PANEL BY PANEL TO POWER PLANT

IN FOCUS:

“During our Solartehnika course, we try to pass on everything we know to the nation and share the experience we have gained. So far, we have held six courses, each different from the previous one. The period between the two courses brings new knowledge and a different approach, so each Solartehnika course is better than the previous one. So far, more than 250 participants have attended them,” Jelena Nikolić points out.

Elektropionir has opened a new chapter in sustainable energy in Serbia with their immersion in the Solarna Stara project, initiating the idea that ordinary people, united and determined, are powerful drivers of change in the energy transition. The project demonstrates that the responsibility for setting up a power plant does not have to be concentrated exclusively in the hands of large investors. Namely, when local communities unite, they can produce their own electricity and advocate for a just energy transition through action and common ownership of clean energies. The project was launched in the spring of 2022 in cooperation with the people from the old mountain villages of Dojkinci and Temska and the city of Pirot. Still, it was designed and implemented under the auspices of the Elektropionir Energy Cooperative. It laid the groundwork for the country’s first cooperative solar power plants, setting the standard for future initiatives.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

THE PIONEER PROJECT OF THE MT-KOMEX COMPANY IN BIH – REŠETNICA

03.02.2024

Competence and expertise in constructing solar power plants have brought MT-KOMEX to the position of a reliable and valuable partner in the energy sector. As such, it is recognized throughout Serbia, considering it has successfully developed and equipped many solar plants on the ground and roofs. However, now is an excellent opportunity to prove itself as a serious partner outside our borders.

Embarking on building a sustainable future, the company MT-KOMEX has recently expanded its operations to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it will soon, together with MT-KOMEX BH d.o.o. start its debut project in this country – Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant Rešetnica. This solar power plant will be built in the place of the same name in the city of Goražde. It will represent a combination of technological skill and environmental awareness, administratively belonging to the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton.

The construction of the solar power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be carried out on a turnkey basis, which means that the contractor is responsible for all phases of the project, including – the design, delivery, assembly, and testing of the photovoltaic power plant. Therefore, the planning and creation of the model of the power plant, the delivery of the necessary materials, technology, and labor to the site, then the installation of panels, the installation of inverters and other necessary infrastructure, and finally, ensuring that the entire system works – is entrusted to the company’s expert team. The application of this method implies that the investor, Public Enterprise Elektroprivreda Bosne i Herzegovine d.d. – Sarajevo, will be presented with the final product, i.e. a fully functional plant ready for work, which relieves them of the hassle of managing numerous tasks and complex phases of work.

IN FOCUS:

The solar power plant will be positioned at about 900 meters above sea level, while the plateau planned for the PV power plant Rešetnica installation will cover about 8,200 m2 (or 0.82 hectares) of the 10,015 m2 total plot size. The chosen site should provide not only a solid platform for construction but also a great potential for efficient use of sunlight for high-yield energy production.

Luxor Solar’s solar panels will be used to construct this facility. The choice of panels is based on their efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity – an essential attribute, then longevity and reliability in different weather conditions, given that recent storms in these areas have made it clear that this is an important criterion when panel selection.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Asia Chang Yr)

On the other hand, Fronius inverters should enable efficient and reliable power conversion and thereby also contribute to the optimal functioning of the entire system.

– Of course, the key issue is the total capacity that the power plant will have. Therefore, it is planned that the PV power plant Rešetnica, with an installed power of 1,050 kWp, and a total output/active power of 800 kW AC, will produce an estimated annual energy of 1411 MWh – said Radoslav Marić, director of MT-KOMEX BH d.o.o.

The company MT-KOMEX realized that with its many years of experience and knowledge, it could help develop projects in the field of renewable energy sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing MT-KOMEX BH d.o.o. In addition to the contract for the construction of the PV power plant Rešetnica, negotiations are ongoing for the construction of four more solar power plants in BiH, three on the roof and one on the ground. The company’s engineers and installers are ready for all the challenges that business brings them in this area, and they are here to help every client construct a solar power plant.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY

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