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TOP PRODUCT QUALITY AS A GUARANTEE OF INVESTMENT SECURITY

Photo: Luxor Solar
Photo: courtesy of Nina Sijerića

When building a solar power plant, the most important thing is to choose top-quality, reliable solar panels. As one of the best-certified manufacturers of high-class solar modules, the Luxor Solar Company offers its clients a wide range of products. We spoke with Nino Sijerić, the Business Development Manager of this company, about the business venture the company was most proud of in 2023, the profitability of investing in photovoltaic power plants, the advantages of heterojunction cell technologies (HJT), interest in the premium segment of modules and other topics.

„2023 was very challenging due to the drop in market prices, but we are extremely proud that we managed to keep long-term clients who recognize the added value of doing business with us. In 2023, we received the German SOLAR PROSUMER AWARD, which shows that end users recognized the top quality of our products and that we are now a part of the group of exceptional global brands that have the right to carry this label. Furthermore, the German Innovation Institute for Sustainability and Digitalization awarded us the TOP SERVICE award, as the DIND (Deutsche Innovationsinstitut für Nachhaltigkeit und Digitalisierung) analysis confirmed our company’s outstanding results in service quality.“

Q: What does the profitability of investing in photovoltaic power plants depend on?

A: Luxor modules, as the heart of every power plant and also known for the quality of design and execution of works, ensure safe investment in photovoltaics. Of course, it all depends on the profitability and institutional framework of each country, as well as the electricity market, but ever since the energy prices have risen significantly after the pandemic years and due to various other crises, we have sufficient mechanisms, without the need for additional subsidies. The institutional framework reduces the administrative costs of investments and many countries still have to optimize them in order to make photovoltaic power plants even more appealing. Oftentimes, administration and bureaucracy are major obstacles to rapid progress. If you choose the right components and the right contractor, your power plant will be more than profitable. If you decide to use top technology, like HJT for example, you can expect to generate a minimum of between 3 and 11  per cent more kilowatt hours over a period of 30 years.

IN FOCUS:

Q: What are the advantages of heterojunction cell technologies compared to other technologies?

A: Our module with HJT cells has a 30-year product warranty, which is a guarantee for the investor as they are given a factory warranty covering all technical uncertainties during the production life. HJT also guarantees 93 per cent of the nominal power of the module after 30 years of use, which is eight per cent more than standard PERC technology.

Q: Your portfolio’s premium segment also contains modules with N TYPE TOPCON and HJT technology. How popular are they with users?

A: There is a lot of interest shown for these modules, as these are the technologies that customers order the most because they differ from the competitors’. We are unmatched in guarantees. Each LUXOR N TYPE and HJT module is double-glazed and bifacial with a 30- year product and a 30-year nominal power warranty.

Q: What else could you do to be in the ranks of the best companies in the world in this field when it comes to introducing cutting-edge technologies?

A: In terms of technologies, we are on the right track with N TYPE TOPCON and HJT, which is confirmed in the number of orders from our customers. We closely follow global trends and are at the top level. Many of our competitors look up to the Southeast European markets and they follow us more than we follow them. With our capacity of around 7GW per year, we don’t need to hide from anyone.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

HOW DANGEROUS ARE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF PHOSPHORUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOW TO USE IT MORE SUSTAINABLY?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Sushobhan Badhai)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Bence Balla-Schottner)

Food safety is a very important topic, especially at a time when pollution, climate change, urbanization and population growth have never been more intense. Phosphorus plays an important role in ensuring food safety, as a nutrient that promotes plant growth. It is primarily used in the production of synthetic fertilizers to increase crop yields, but it is also a key ingredient in animal feed. Furthermore, its use is recorded in the production of steel, food additives, some pesticides, household cleaning agents and more. Although it is very useful, its excessive and improper use can cause many unwanted effects and leave negative consequences for the environment and the living world.

Agriculture is the main polluter when it comes to phosphorus. Its benefits end when there is too much of it. If too much of it is present in the soil, phosphorus depletes the soil of its natural resources. It becomes particularly harmful when it ends up in rivers, lakes and oceans because a process called eutrophication can occur. The increase in nutrients in the water leads to algal bloom, i.e. excessive reproduction of aquatic plants, mainly algae, which further affects the living world in this ecosystem. The so-called algal bloom degrades the quality of drinking water and leads to the creation of dead zones where there is not enough oxygen, which living things in the water need to survive.

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Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Phosphorus pollution of water has doubled in the last century and the trend continues. To solve the problem, there have to be sustainable practices of phosphorous use in place. The United Nations Environmental Protection Program (UNEP) explains that it’s false to claim that crop yield will increase if more phosphorous is used and adds that the solution lies in determining a suitable amount. Instead, different farming practices would significantly solve this problem. Some of the examples are the use of manure or, say, to reduce the frequency of soil cultivation, as this will improve soil quality and reduce the need for fertilizer.

Additionally, wastewater also releases large amounts of phosphorus into the environment and with proper treatment, its concentration could be reduced by about 80 percent.

Finally, it should be noted that phosphorus is a limited resource, which is another reason why it should be used more responsibly. As stated on the UNEP website, this can be achieved through more efficient mining and processing of phosphorus. Other data show that a significant part of global phosphorus reserves have already disappeared and that those that remain are found in only very few areas, among them Morocco and the Western Sahara. More precisely, close to 170 million tonnes of phosphate rocks are mined annually for the sake of agriculture, that is, to keep the soil fertile.

Katarina Vuinac

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM (CBAM)

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (DragonDash)
Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

The EU laws that will regulate and define the activities of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) verification and the requirements for the accreditation of CBAM verifiers are currently being prepared, while its adoption is expected in the last quarter of 2024.

According to Dušan Stokić, head of the Centre for the Environment, Technical Regulations, Quality and Social Responsibility, during this transition period and the application of the CBAM regulation, the verification of the report on specific built-in emissions is not mandatory, but it can be used as a possible additional form of guaranteeing the reliability and validity of the calculated built-in emissions, the website of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia says.

“However, as of January 1, 2026, when the implementation of CBAM regulation officially begins, the verification of the CBAM report becomes mandatory for all exporters of goods subject to these regulations. Hence, it is very important that everyone is familiar with the requirements for the accreditation of CBAM verifiers who will perform this responsible function, as well as with the relevant register of accredited verifiers, which is expected to be publicly available,” Mr Stokić adds.

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The Regulation will include two implementing acts, in accordance with Articles 8 and 18 of the CBAM Regulation, that cover the principles of verification and harmonization of the scope of verification between the EU ETS and CBAM, and, secondly, a delegated act in accordance with Article 18 of the CBAM Regulation that will specify the conditions for accreditation of the verifier.

To remind, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union signed the CBAM Regulation (EU) on May 10th, 2023, and the transition period entered into force on October 1. The first quarterly reports should be submitted by January 31 of this year. Detailed information on reporting methods and rules during the transition period is provided in the Implementing Regulation (EU). There are also additional instructions, such as those for importers of goods covered by CBAM, as well as those for manufacturers from third countries.

Initially, the CBAM will apply to the import of certain goods whose production contributes to the highest carbon emissions. These are the following sectors: cement, iron, steel, aluminium, fertilizer, electricity and hydrogen.

The introduction of this Mechanism aims to protect the European Union market from the import of products with a high carbon footprint, while at the same time, encouraging companies in countries outside the Union to emit carbon emissions in a controlled manner.

Energy Portal

INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION AND ITS DETRIMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND HEALTH

Foto ilustracija: Pexels
Photo-illustration: Pixabay (DragonDash)

Air pollution is one of the most dangerous types of pollution for the health of people and other living beings. An analysis conducted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) showed that the pollution coming from Europe’s largest industrial plants generates an average cost of between 268 and 428 billion euros per year.

Among the biggest pollutants are carbon dioxide, PM10 particles, ammonia and greenhouse gases. Heavy metals also had a significant presence.

The new EEA briefing “The costs to health and the environment from industrial air pollution in Europe“ includes an analysis of trends in the external effects of industrial air pollution in about 10,000 of the largest facilities in Europe, for the period from 2012 to 2021.

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Research shows that about one percent of such buildings, many of which are coal-fired power plants, cause almost half of the total damage. The countries that had the highest number of such facilities in 2021, which at the same time generate the highest costs for the environment, climate and health, are Germany, Poland, Italy, France and Spain. Out of a total of 24 facilities, nine of them were in Germany and six in Poland.

Photo-illustration: Pexels

However, as stated on the EEA website, the European Union has managed to achieve significant progress in the mentioned period when it comes to reducing the impact on the environment and climate change. Namely, the costs caused by air pollution by industry were reduced by almost 35 percent. Of this total reduction, almost 80 percent came from the energy sector, thanks to the transition to alternative fuels that pollute less, as well as to renewable energy sources.

An important role in the reduction was played by the European Green Deal, which set the goal of Europe becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The Deal was presented in December 2019, as a road map for the sustainability of the European Union economy with a goal of turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities in all areas of policy and transition by making them fair and inclusive for all.

Energy portal

Fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances: Council greenlights new rules to reduce harmful emissions

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Max Smith)

The Council today has adopted two regulations to phase down fluorinated gases (F-gases) and other substances that cause global warming and deplete the ozone layer.

While existing EU legislation has already limited the use of these gases and substances significantly, the new rules will further reduce their emissions into the atmosphere and contribute to limiting global temperature rise, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Fluorinated gases

Under the new rules, the consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will be completely phased out by 2050. On the other hand, the production of HFC, in terms of production rights allocated by the Commission to produce HFCs, will be phased down to a minimum (15 per cent) as of 2036. Both production and consumption will be phased down on the basis of a tight schedule with a degressive quota allocation (Annexes V and VII).

The text introduces a full ban on placing products and equipment containing HFCs on the market for several categories for which it is technologically and economically feasible to switch to F-gas alternatives, including certain domestic refrigerators, chillers, foams and aerosols. It also sets specific dates for the complete phase-out of the use of F-gases in air conditioning, heat pumps and switchgears:

  • 2032 for small monoblock heat pumps and air conditioning (<12kW)
  • 2035 for split air conditioning and heat pumps, with earlier deadlines for certain types of split systems with higher global warming potential
  • 2030 for medium-voltage switchgears (up to and including 52 kV) relying on F-gases
  • 2032 for high-voltage switchgears (>52kV)

The impacts and effects of the regulation, including an assessment of the existence of cost-effective, technically feasible and sufficiently available alternatives to replace F-gases, will be reviewed by the Commission no later than 1 January 2030. By 2040 the Commission will also have to evaluate the feasibility of the 2050 phase-out date for the consumption of HFCs and the need for HFCs in sectors where they are still used, taking into account technological developments and the availability of alternatives to HFCs for the applications in question.

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Ozone depleting substances

The regulation bans ODSs for almost all uses, with strictly limited exemptions.

The text includes an exemption for the use of ODSs as feedstock to produce other substances. The Commission will be tasked with regularly updating a list of ODSs whose use as feedstock is banned. The text also permits the use of ODSs under strict conditions as process agents, in laboratories and for fire protection in special applications such as military equipment and airplanes.

The regulation extends the requirement to recover ODSs for destruction, recycling or reclamation to cover sectors such as building materials (insulation foams), refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, equipment containing solvents or fire protection systems and fire extinguishers and other equipment, if technically and economically feasible.

Next steps

Today’s vote by the Council closes the adoption procedure. The two regulations will now be signed by the Council and the European Parliament. They will then be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later.

Source: Consilium.europa.eu

IEA: HALF OF ELECTRICITY COULD COME FROM LOW-EMISSION SOURCES BY 2026

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (catazul)
Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

The demand for electricity in the next three years is expected to grow by an average of 3.4 percent. About 85 percent of the increase in global demand is projected to come primarily from China, India and Southeast Asian countries, according to a new IEA Electricity 2024 report.

The good thing is that the capacities of low-emission sources are increasing, including renewables such as solar, wind and hydropower, as well as nuclear. Moreover, such sources could account for almost half of the world’s electricity production by 2026. By the beginning of 2025, renewable sources should account for more than one-third of total production.

Regarding nuclear energy, it could reach the highest global level of use by 2025, given that its potential is growing in France. Also, several nuclear plants in Japan are re-commissioned. Furthermore, the new reactors will reportedly begin commercial operation in many countries, such as China, India and Europe.

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Photo-illustration: Pixabay

At the moment, the energy sector contributes more CO2 emissions than any other in the world economy, according to the IEA website. Expectations are that global emissions from electricity production will decrease by 2.4 percent in 2024.

Increasing the share of exports with low emissions is a very important trend that must be continued and even expedited, considering that in the coming years, it will follow the electricity demand. There was a decline in demand in Europe and the United States last year, but there are numerous emerging economies that have recorded strong growth, which will continue until 2026, due to population growth and industrialization.

Energy portal

NEW EU STANDARDS – WHERE IS THE BEST DRINKING WATER?

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Albert Flamingo)
Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Manki Kim)

The European Commission has adopted new minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water, which is a significant step towards improving the quality of drinking water throughout the European Union. The decision will enter into force on December 31, 2026.

The new standards will apply to a wide range of materials and products, including supply pipes, valves, pumps, fittings and taps, used in water extraction, treatment, storage or distribution processes. Thanks to these standards, drinking water becomes safer, which is of great importance for the health of EU citizens, according to the European Commission’s website.

It is worth noting that European countries are certainly at the top when it comes to the quality of drinking water. Some of the countries are located in mountainous areas with clean springs and are also investing in water treatment technology. Research shows the Scandinavian countries, Iceland, Austria, Ireland, Greece, Malta, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Great Britain have the best tap water because it is toxin-free.

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Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

On the other hand, this cannot be said for the entire planet. In fact, a large part of the world population, especially in Africa, has a problem with clean drinking water. African countries often have no infrastructure even if a water source is found.

One of the key benefits of the new rules is a significant reduction in the administrative burden for manufacturers of relevant materials and products. Now a single authorization will allow sales within the entire EU, which encourages the free movement of goods within the EU.

By the new standards, materials and products will receive a special EU declaration and label, thanks to which they can be sold throughout the EU without any restrictions.

Energy portal

CHARGE&GO WITH THE NEW APP, IT’S EASIER TO FIND A CHARGER

Photo: Charge&GO
Photo: Charge&GO

Electromobility in Serbia has reached a new level, as shown by the latest data that the number of registered electric cars has increased significantly compared to last year, by as much as 20 per cent. More electric vehicles on the streets also create a greater need for chargers. The leaders of the company Charge&GO realized in time that it was necessary to expand the network of chargers for electric vehicles along with a new application, making the chargers easier to find.There are 68 chargers located on the Charge&GO network throughout Serbia.

– Drivers of electric vehicles can already use our fast charger, located within the Beograd shopping center BIG FASHION on Karaburma, and whose power is 120 kW. When they head towards Inđija or Vršac, they can stop by the BIG shopping centers in Nova Pazova or Pančevo and recharge their batteries there. The charger in Pazova has a power of 50 kW, and in Pančevo, it has a power of 60 kW. We expect a further and intensive expansion of the network, and soon we will put chargers into operation in the BIG shopping centers in Novi Sad and Rakovica in Beograd, as well as in the BIG FASHION Outlet in Inđija. I want to point out that two chargers are already working as part of the NCR in Novi Beograd, which has improved the offer and availability of chargers in this municipality. Every charger we put into operation is important for our users, and we are constantly looking for new locations where drivers of electric vehicles will be able to take a break and charge their vehicles at ultra-fast chargers – explains Tamara Zjačić, the company’s deputy director. Information was recently published that the European Union adopted a decision by which a charger for electric cars will be placed on every 60 kilometers of the highway by 2026. When asked how far we have come with the development of the charging infrastructure along the highways, Tamara tells us that there will be more and more charging stations on the main road routes and that the offer will be completed by new charging stations at OMV pumps and other locations that are close to the key road.

IN FOCUS:

– The plan is to soon put the charger into operation at the OMV pumps in Zemun, Ada Ciganlija and Zaječar. The charger in Zemun, with a power of 240 kW, will be the strongest ultra-fast charger in the Charge&GO network. Since it is placed in a very busy place, we believe that it will contribute to the ease and comfort of driving an electric car – emphasizes Zjačić.

In mid-October, Mladenovac received its first ultra-fast charger with a power of 150 kW. The location where this charger is located is only 10 minutes away from the highway.

– This is a significant project for us because there are no chargers in this part of Serbia, so it will make it much easier for drivers, both local and foreign, to charge their vehicles near the highway – she says, adding that negotiations are currently underway and for several new locations in Beograd for ultra-fast chargers that should be at the service of drivers by the end of the year.

New application

Photo: Charge&GO

The company Charge&GO has prepared a new application, which is available for IOS and Android phones, within which it is possible to see the network of chargers throughout the country and Europe.

– To expand to other markets, we have created a multilingual and multi-currency platform that supports different regulations in individual markets. Thus, clients will not have to change applications when moving from one country to another but will use only one, ours, which is easy to manage and complies with all regulations in each market where we offer the service – adds Tamara Zjačić.

Clients with their electric vehicles can travel around Europe and use the application without any problems because it integrates the largest European e-roaming platform with a list of more than 400,000 chargers.

The registered user, by simply checking his account in the application, has an overview of the entire overview – payment, account, charging session and the like. For registered users, the most important benefit is that they have a lower charging price for all chargers in the Charge&GO network.

The system is fully user-friendly, and whenever the user is at the charger and cannot start charging, they can call customer support and get the help they need. – We have customer support that is available every day, and we also have a technical support team that specializes in maintenance and service of the charging infrastructure – emphasizes Tamara.

The company Charge&GO has big plans, and they are focused on expanding the network in regional markets so that by the end of next year, they will install and integrate 70 more ultra-fast chargers on the platform.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

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

FEDERATION OF BIH: CITIZENS SHOW STRONG INTEREST IN BECOMING PROSUMERS

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (Admiral Lebioda)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Asia Chang Yr)

Citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are very interested in the construction of solar panels, that is, in becoming prosumers, according to the research carried out by the Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration Operator (OIEiEK Operator).

In the survey, which was conducted from early September to late December 2023, as many as 97.3 percent of the surveyed citizens showed interest in the construction of the mentioned power plants.

The greatest interest was shown in the area of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (19.8 percent), followed by Sarajevo Canton with 19.6 percent and Zenica-Doboj Canton with 16.1 percent.

If citizens were provided with a one-time financial support/subsidy for a certain percentage amount of the value of the investment, even 99 percent of respondents would be determined to become prosumer. When it comes to the amount of support, on average 50 percent of the total value of the investment would be sufficient.

Citizens cited the lack of financial resources as the biggest obstacle, as well as unclear and complicated procedures for obtaining the required permits. Also, there is a long processing of applications submitted to relevant institutions. Furthermore, the survey showed that there is insufficient information about the procedures for investing in the construction of solar power plants, i.e. becoming a prosumer, that is, about the advantages that investing in the construction of these power plants would bring, according to the OIEiEK website.

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494 respondents participated in the research by filling out an electronic questionnaire on the OIEiEK Operator website. This research was conducted to collect data on the interest in investing in construction, that is, collecting data on the views of the citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on one-time financial support for the construction of solar power plants, i.e. prosumers, because this is one of the new responsibilities of the OIEiEK Operator resulting from the new Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration, precisely the implementation of this one-time co-financing.

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (Colmkay)

The OIEiEK Operator will, with the prior consent of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopt the Programme on co-financing of individual prosumers, which will prescribe the procedure for one-time co-financing of the construction of prosumer facilities from this category. It will determine the method of awarding such assistance, the amount, criteria and other important provisions.

This research was significant because the results will be taken into account when determining the amount of one-time co-financing. Also, based on the answers that indicate a lack of information about the procedures and advantages of this kind of investment, the OIEiEK Operator envisages holding educational workshops and joint meetings with representatives of cantonal ministries, local communities and the media in its 2024 Work Plan, but the plan also envisages a public campaign to inform the public about the benefits of such investments. Finally, activities were initiated to make the procedures equal for all citizens but also simplified in terms of obtaining permits.

Energy portal

TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE WITH LUXEN SOLAR

Photo: Luxen Solar
Photo: Courtesy of Alisa Papadimitriou

Luxen Solar’s solar panels are top-quality, reliable products with longer warranties than standard, with exceptional performance that enables a faster return on investment while providing energy security by producing clean energy. Alisa Papadimitriou, Business Development Director for Europe, spoke with Energy Portal Magazine about Luxen Solar.

Q: When was Luxen Solar founded and which markets do you operate in?

A: Luxen Solar was founded in Spain in 2005. Its name comes from the word “lux” which means light and the word “energy”, which, in our case, is energy from sunlight. We opened the first production facility in 2011, which has been fully automated since 2015. Today, Luxen Solar EUROPE is headquartered in Austria and we are currently building a second zero-emission production plant, where we will produce solar panels using new revolutionary technologies. Our main market is Europe, but we also sell our products in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Q: What are the company’s best-selling products?

A: In our product range we have solar panels for residential, industrial and commercial buildings and utility-scale projects. These include standard, bifacial and all-black modules.

The best-selling products at the moment are the 430 Wp TOPCon and the 575 Wp TOPCon. In bifacial version, solar panels have 15 per cent more bifaciality, which is higher than conventional ones, are smaller in surface area, but are more efficient per m2 compared to the current mono-perc technology. For example, our 630 Wp TOPCon module is by 9 Wp more efficient per m2 than conventional 670 Wp mono perc. One may look at the numbers and think 630 is less efficient than 670, but it’s efficiency per m2 that matters.

IN FOCUSE:

Our TOPCon solar panels can produce up to 2 h more per day due to exceptional performance in low light conditions. Our TOPCon modules can withstand a snow load of 6200 Pa and 4200 Pa of wind load and also a 30mm hail ball at a speed of 23,9 m/s, which are exceptional results in comparison to the standard on the market (5400/2400 Pa and 25mm at 23 m/s speed).

Q: What are the advantages of Luxen Solar panels?

Photo: Luxen Solar

A: Luxen Solar has around two decades of experience in solar panel research and development. We always follow the latest trends in the industry and our efforts and work are recognized. We are the winners of more than 15 prestigious awards, among others, as one of the most innovative and influential brands in the solar industry.

We constantly monitor developments in solar energy and strive to offer our customers the latest technology and thus be safe and reliable partners. Outdated technologies cannot provide the desired performance, while advanced technology is very expensive, both of which, in their own way, slow down the return on investment. Luxen Solar has found the golden mean – we provide customers with a faster return on investment with affordable and innovative technology with best cost-benefit analysis.

Q: Could you tell us about your business model?

A: The Luxen Solar Company has a clear goal to achieve long-term partnerships in every country in which it operates. We establish these partnerships with companies that share the same vision and passion for cutting-edge technology and at the same time want a reliable, stable and honest partner who can help them develop and advance in business. We are here to offer them 24/7 support, the most innovative technology, exceptional products with better characteristics than the conventional products on the market, and last but not least, loyalty.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

ANOTHER “LIQUID TREE” ON THE STREETS OF BELGRADE

Photo: City of Belgrade
Photo: City of Belgrade

The urban photo bioreactor called LIQUID 3, the first of its kind in Serbia, is an innovative biotechnological solution for combating air pollution in urban areas. The project was initiated and designed by the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research of the University of Belgrade and aims to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in places where the concentrations of this gas are the highest, including the capital city.

LIQUID 3 uses algae in a 600-litre aquarium, which, through photosynthesis, bind CO2 and produce oxygen.

The first LIQUID 3 was installed last year in front of the building that houses the Municipality of Stari Grad, with the second one installed in Terazije, according to the Belgrade government’s website.

In addition to its environmental role, the photo-bioreactor is also designed as a bench with chargers for mobile phones and a solar panel that enables night lighting.

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Microalgae have a wide range of applications in Serbia, including wastewater treatment, biomass and biofuel production, but also as compost for green areas. What is so significant is the efficiency of microalgae in binding CO2, which can be up to 50 times higher than that of trees.

The LIQUID 3 project will not replace forests but will complement urban greenery where there is no space for planting trees.

This invention was recognized as one of the 11 best climate-smart solutions under the auspices of the Local Development Resistant to Climate Change project, implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The LIQUID 3 initiative drew attention beyond the borders of Serbia, with over 10 million views on social networks.

Energy portal

Costs of industrial pollution from largest facilities decline in Europe but remain at two per cent of EU GDP

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay (catazul)

The 2024 update of the EEA briefing ‘The costs to health and the environment from industrial air pollution in Europe’ presents the latest assessment of the trends in externalities of industrial air pollution from about 10,000 largest facilities in Europe, from 2012 to 2021. These facilities report data on pollutant releases and transfers to the European Industrial Emissions Portal.

Costs of air pollution caused by Europe’s largest industrial plants are substantial, averaging between EUR 268 to EUR 428 billion per year, the EEA analysis shows. In 2021, these costs corresponded to about two per cent of the EU’s GDP. Just one percent (107) of the most polluting industrial facilities — many of them coal power plants — caused half of the total damage.

However, the EEA analysis also shows that environmental and health costs of European industry have decreased by a third (-33 per cent) from 2012 to 2021. The EU energy sector has accounted for the vast majority — about 80 per cent — of the total decrease, mainly by adopting best available techniques (BAT) and shifting to renewables and less polluting fuels largely as result of EU action.

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The European Green Deal has promoted making Europe’s industry greener and more digital. Most recently, the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive and the new Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation (IEPR) aim to drive large European industry towards decarbonisation, zero pollution, circular economy and innovation. Strengthening of the EU Air Quality Directive is expected to further support this development by bringing pollution limits closer to the health-based guidelines of the World Health Organization.

The EEA will publish the 2nd zero-pollution monitoring and outlook report  together with the European Commission later this year. To highlight the challenges and opportunities in the EU energy transition, this year’s report will map the 100 most polluting large combustion plants (LCP) in the EU.

Source: EEA

WIND ENERGY – NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR SIMPLE AND MORE EFFICIENT PRODUCTION

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Oliver Hihn)

Since the beginning of the year, there has been talk about the great success of renewable energy sources in 2023, with wind energy being the most used one. However, since last year’s United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) set the goal of tripling the use of this type of energy by 2030, the representation of renewable sources must be significantly improved. One of the guidelines for doing so includes constant technology innovation which is very important. Developing technology improves many aspects – from easier installation, lower prices to more efficient operation and less negative impact on nature.

One such innovative solution was offered by the startup called Katrick Technologies, which has devised technology that produces electricity using wind, but not in the same way as conventional wind farms do. While conventional method of electricity generation involves rotation, the new technology generates energy using oscillating blades.

This is possible at low altitudes and thanks to the oscillating wings, the technology reacts to current changes in wind speed that occur closer to the ground surface. On the other hand, rotary movements work better at higher altitudes, say over 10 metres, where there is a laminar flow of wind, i.e. the calmer jet stream.

The technology works in such a way that the kinetic energy of the wind is converted into mechanical oscillations, which are then converted into electrical energy. Capturing large amounts of kinetic energy is possible due to the relatively large working surface and its density. Each device has six oscillating wings.

These devices can be placed in a variety of places, from flat surfaces on top of buildings to places like roads. The startup showed by example that if the devices are placed on the side of the road on a length of just one kilometre, they can charge 80,000 90kW Tesla cars or power 760 homes every year.

One of their advantages is precisely their design, making them suitable for urban areas, where it is not possible to build a conventional wind farm. The flexibility of the installation is also a great advantage because they can be placed at different angles, so that at any moment, a change in wind direction can be captured. This also makes it easier to obtain consent for their installation.

When it comes to conventional wind farms, they are often criticized for the danger they can pose to wildlife, especially birds. This is why this kind of solution is important because it reduces the risk for wild animals and has a minimal impact on the environment.

This doesn’t apply only to wind energy, but also to other renewable sources as they are often criticized for their impact on nature. Although on the one hand, they contribute to its protection through the reduction of emissions produced by traditional electricity generation methods, there is still room for their improvement. That’s why every good innovation that takes this aspect into account is something to be happy about.

Katarina Vuinac

800 CHARGERS ON PUBLIC LIGHTING IN PRAGUE BY 2026

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (CHUTTERSNAP)
Photo illustration: Pixbay

The average age of vehicles in the Czech Republic is higher compared to the rest of the European Union. According to data from 2023, the number of electric cars in this country was approximately 14,000, however, most drivers in the Czech Republic still use petrol and diesel vehicles.

In the first six months of 2022, diesel vehicles accounted for a larger share of new car sales in the Czech Republic than in any other EU country, while in the rest of the EU, sales of diesel- powered cars fell significantly. Electric cars in the Czech Republic are still quite expensive, while the average wage in the country is also somewhat lower compared to Western Europe. There is also an inadequate charging infrastructure, which makes their use for longer journeys difficult, as it requires detailed route planning.

More:

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (stux)

The city of Prague currently provides free parking for electric cars in main city zones, but this privilege will be abolished on December 31, 2024, which does not mean that the state will not continue to invest in electromobility. This change is part of the upcoming reform of the parking system in Prague, according to the city’s website.

Given that the number of e-vehicles will inevitably grow and that they take up as much space as other cars, this rule will not be able to survive in the long run, hence its abolition.

However, the city will continue to invest in charging infrastructure and therefore plans to increase investments in electric chargers with the help of European subsidies. The city of Prague has already spent about CZK 220 million on developing charging infrastructure and the plan is to install about 800 charging points on public lighting by 2026.

Energy portal

MINI NUCLEAR BATTERIES – TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR EVERY DAY?

Foto: pixabay
Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Steve Johnson)

Nuclear batteries are a completely new concept and are a part of devices that we use every day. A nuclear battery produces electricity by using the energy released during the radioactive decay of a nuclear isotope, using specialized converters.

Such batteries are a great technological advance and have excellent features such as durability. Still, whenever someone mentions radioactivity and nuclear processes, there is some concern raised.

Nevertheless, electricity generated in this way is safe and produced at a smaller scale, compared to large nuclear reactors, which most people associate with electricity production.

MORE:

The Chinese company Betavolt has been using a combination of technologies to produce nuclear batteries which are now the size of a small coin. These batteries provide electricity that is produced by the decay of the radioactive element nickel-63. Because of its multi-layer construction, Betavolt claims the risk of the battery catching fire or exploding is minimal, according to World Nuclear News.

However, the use of nuclear batteries is not without controversy, as we have already stated. There are environmental concerns, given that radioactive materials are used. The use of such minerals and materials for products in everyday use could potentially run into legal hurdles, but it is still too early to tell, given that the product has not been launched for wider commercial use at the moment, although there are plans to use it in drones and phones.

Energy portal

SET TREBINJE 2024 FROM MARCH 20th TO 22nd

Photo: SET TREBINJE
Photo: Wikipedia/Goran Andjelic

The 5th SET Trebinje Energy Summit will be held this year from March 20 to 22 under the slogan “Energy Connectivity of the Western Balkans”, at the Trebinje Cultural Centre.

The summit is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of External Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Srpska government and the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship. Elnos Group Banja Luka is the Summit’s main sponsor.

The increasing share of renewable sources in the production of electricity and at the same time their influence on the power system place increasing demands for the accelerated development of the system itself. At the same time, due to the increasing decentralized production of electricity in the immediate vicinity of the consumers or by consumers themselves, it becomes difficult for the suppliers to satisfy the ever-changing supply and demand. It is precisely in this connection that concepts and technical solutions such as energy storage, microgrids, demand adjustment and energy efficiency measures are increasingly coming to the fore.

During the three summit days, the participants will have the opportunity to discuss key questions regarding the energy future with almost 50 leaders from the power industry in the regional countries, who will participate in seven panel discussions. All relevant representatives of the energy sector in the region, executives from top domestic companies and institutions that shape the industry, business leaders and creators of energy policies, as well as top domestic and international energy experts will take part in the Summit.

“This year’s programme covers the topics of connection and cooperation of power companies in the region, management of power grids, electricity trading, gas market, management of electricity production facilities and management of own solar power plants. The most prestigious regional energy experts will speak about these topics, while several other extremely important topics related to the further development and just transition of the energy sector in the region will be discussed through presentations”, said the Summit’s organizers.

The Trebinje Energy Summit is an excellent opportunity for cooperation between public power companies, authorities and technology providers with the view of exchanging information and knowledge to understand the future of energy and see where the world is going in terms of sustainability.

During three days, the Summit will host over 1,000 participants from the region, which testifies to the great interest in the Summit shown by the energy stakeholders. Furthermore, a number of companies have also expressed their interest in participating in this year’s Summit, as this is an ideal opportunity to establish contact with potential business partners.

Source: Energy Portal

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