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Open Science Conference: We need dramatic climate action to meet unprecedented challenges

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Climate change impacts are becoming increasingly severe, posing unprecedented challenges. Dramatic climate action is needed to limit global warming, requiring unprecedented societal transformations to sustain the future of life on Earth, a major international scientific conference was told today.

More than 1,400 scientists, politicians, policy-makers, intergovernmental agencies and Non Governmental Organizations are participating in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Open Science Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

The five-day hybrid event will hear dozens of presentations from the world’s leading experts on issues including: rapid and/or irreversible changes in the climate system; impacts on food security and water availability; urban health; the carbon and water cycles; global energy budget; regional climate change; global and regional monsoons; extreme events; climate interventions; climate services, models and predictions and more.

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“This once-in-a-decade event comes at an extraordinarily critical time in the history of Planet Earth, where the impacts of climate change are being felt every day around the world, in the oceans and on the land, from the Arctic to the Antarctic,” said conference co-chair Helen Cleugh.

For more than four decades, the WCRP has coordinated research which unequivocally concludes that humans are changing the Earth’s climate. Through advances in climate science, we can now project plausible future climates and the consequences, said Prof. Cleugh.

“Society must cope with ongoing changes and their impacts: the emergence of complex risks, including drought, heavy rain and flooding, heatwaves, extreme fire weather, other weather and climate extremes often occurring at the same time,” said Detlef Stammer, the other co-chair.

The reasons for this year’s unprecedented spikes in temperature increases in the atmosphere and the ocean are still being investigated. But they illustrate the complexity and connectivity of the climate system, and the urgent need for find sustainable solutions based on understanding of the entire Earth system, he said.

“A giant leap is required by societies embarking on a new path to a sustainable world. It requires that we fundamentally reconfigure our economies, energy, food and health systems so that they work for both people and the planet,” said Prof. Stammer.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Sergey Pesterev)

Global South

The conference is hosted by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) on behalf of the Government of Rwanda and the University of Rwanda, from 23 to 27 October 2023 in Kigali. It includes a 2-day symposium run for and by early and mid-career scientist, before and after the main event.

It is the first time the conference takes place in Africa – a continent which has done little to contribute to climate change but bears a disproportionate burden.

Africa is experiencing higher temperatures, heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, prolonged droughts, desertification, and stronger cyclones. ​This has devastating impacts on communities, with serious health and economic implications involving displacement, migration, water shortages and food crises.

“Climate change is a fact. It is not a hoax. In Rwanda we are victims of climate change. Last May we had floods that killed more than 130 people in one night,” said Environment Minister Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.

“Our policy should be a science-based policy, informed by research,” she said.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed said the Open Science Conference would be crucial to identify key breakthroughs in climate science and research and to ensure that they benefit everyone, including the Global South,

“Weather, climate and water sciences provide the basis for climate action and can supercharge progress towards the sustainable development goals across the board,” she said in a video message to the opening plenary.

African and Least Developed countries are priorities for the global Early Warnings for All initiative, which seeks to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by life-saving early warnings by the end of 2027, said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

The initial investment of 3.1 billion US dollars will yield massive benefits. Early warnings are part of coordinated climate change adaptation policies, which must be based on skilfull predictions and include an understanding of complex risks, including all weather and climate extremes, that may be compounding in nature​.

“The nexus of science and technology and climate action is a crucial point of concerted action needed to mitigate impacts of climate change. We need a powerful alliance of science, research and technology to inform policy on climate action,” said Macharia Kamau of the International Science Council.

The Open Science Conference will conclude on 27 October with the Kigali Declaration which will be forwarded to inform the COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai.

More details from WMO opening press release here

Source: WMO

Inside a research centre tracking the fallout from the climate crisis

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-ilustration: Unsplash (Chris Gallagher)

The past few months have been another stark reminder that the climate crisis is getting worse.

Wildfires devastated Hawaii, Canada, and the Canary Islands. Antarctic Sea ice reached its lowest extent since records began in 1978. Multiple ocean heatwaves baked the world’s seas and June, July, August and September all broke monthly temperature records.

One United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) centre monitoring these events is the Global Resource Information Database – Geneva (GRID-Geneva). Set up in 1985, it is a partnership between UNEP, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the University of Geneva.

With a team of 22 environmental data scientists, GRID-Geneva’s main role is to transform often complex data from multiple sources into accessible information to support the decision-making process related to environmental issues, with a focus on early warnings for environmental disasters.

With the climate crisis intensifying, GRID-Geneva’s work is set to become even more important in the coming years. As UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2022 highlighted, current climate policies will result in a 2.8°C temperature rise by the end of the century. This would lead to a large increase in environmental disasters across the world, says Pascal Peduzzi, GRID-Geneva’s Director.

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The centre is focused on translating complex data into information that is understandable and actionable. “Most people say they need data, but if you bring them raw data, they don’t know how to deal with it,” says Peduzzi. “So we transform that raw data into graphs and maps and things that people can relate to.”

The centre is connected to 70 data providers—everyone from NASA to the World Glacier Monitoring Service. That network allows it to track global temperatures, forest fires, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and sea ice extent, among other markers of climate change. It also tracks a range of other environmental threats, including those linked to nature loss.

GRID-Geneva’s scientists process satellite imagery using remote sensing software, create models from geospatial data using geographical information systems, and generate interactive maps and graphs for automatic updates.

This information is fed into a website, the World Environment Situation Room, which policymakers and the public can access.

As the technology has improved—and expanded to include artificial intelligence—the amount of data that can be processed and interpreted has grown exponentially.

“With our 70 data providers, we don’t have to go in every day and download data,” says Peduzzi. “Their servers are connected to our database, so we get automatic updates, which are reflected in our maps.”

GRID-Geneva not only presents data, but can offer policy recommendations as well, making impact assessments and presenting these to policy makers.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

An example of this was the work GRID-Geneva did on sand extraction, an issue that had long flown under the radar.

Globally, humans consume 50 billion tonnes of sand a year, with the material finding its way into everything from buildings to roads. But sand is often dredged from the ocean, a process that sterilizes the bottom of the sea by crushing the microorganisms that feed fish, Peduzzi says.

GRID-Geneva produced a report on sand extraction in 2014, which, Peduzzi says, led to significant media interest. In 2019 and 2022, two other reports were produced, showcasing the damaging effects of dredging.

Last year at the United Nations Environment Assembly, the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment, a resolution was adopted stating that GRID-Geneva should “strengthen scientific, technical, and policy knowledge with regard to sand and to support global policies and action regarding the environmentally sound extraction and use.”

Peduzzi says the centre’s goal is to ensure its data is based on solid science and the process is accurate. Then that data is presented to Member States, who will, hopefully, take action.

“We are connectors,” Peduzzi says. “We are the link between the scientific data providers and governments.”

Source: UNEP

Cosmetics with a splash of nature

Photo: Royal Balm
Photo: Royal Balm

The cosmetics industry imposes new beauty standards on the consumer society in order to then compete with their competitors in fulfilling these new and imposed demands of the same society. In this vicious circle, the true value of beauty imbued with health has been dropped somewhere, just like its prerequisite – a healthy nature. In the catalogue of aesthetic brands, one cosmetic brand with a generous splash of health and nature stands out with its bright green frame – Royal Balm. With knowledge, love and the support of her lifelong companion, Katarina Milosavljević harvests the fruits of the Rtanj Mountain, processes them and brings them to our homes.

The decision to embark on production was inspired by the desire to find the right natural cosmetics for herself and her family. Ten years ago, the market offer was inadequate, to say the least, and the products called “natural“ had very poor composition. Encouraged by this, Katarina started searching for oils that would improve the quality of cosmetic products.

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From early childhood, she learned from her grandmother about medicinal plants, which eventually became her love and hobby. This opportunity to absorb knowledge from a young age proved to be very important to her because, as she says, it is not easy for a city dweller to become a farmer as well, as these skills are acquired throughout life, and children learn them from birth.

However, it took her a lot of patience and effort to upgrade and perfect the basic knowledge – learning everything about the care of each plant her family grows. An additional challenge was to find top-quality, clean ingredients.

Photo: Royal Balm

When she started this search, she realized that the best solution was to find land where they could plant plants themselves and get the best quality raw materials from them.

Today, their plantation spans two hectares of land, where they grow immortelle, lavender, yarrow, sage, St. John’s Wort, calendula, and comfrey. At the same time, they are thinking about growing a new type of plant species that will greatly contribute to their skincare line. The production also involves cold-pressed organic oil, which they do not produce but procure from verified producers.

Explaining the production process, Katarina says that it takes time and a lot of effort. Part of the plants are distilled, and the other part is crushed, followed by extraction in cold-pressed oil. Then comes straining and filtering the oils after maceration, and only then are they ready for use and product preparation.

The Royal Balm brand offers five types of moisturizers divided according to skin type and three types of serums and tonics. Furthermore, they produce five types of hydrolats, four essential oils, two special oils and seven salves. Due to the content of essential oils, Royal Balm cosmetics also have aromatherapeutic properties. Thanks to a diverse combination of ingredients, each product has a special herbal scent, so using perfumes in the composition is unnecessary.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

EU packaging waste generation with record increase

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Harper Sunday)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Zuzanna Szczepańska)

From parcels for online purchases to coffee-to-go cups, packaging is almost everywhere. In 2021, the EU generated 188.7 kg packaging waste per inhabitant, 10.8 kg more per person than in 2020, the biggest increase in 10 years, and almost 32 kg more than in 2011.

In total, the EU generated 84 million tonnes of packaging waste, of which 40.3 percent were paper and cardboard. Plastic represented 19.0 percent, glass 18.5 percent, wood 17.1 percent and metal 4.9 percent.

In 2021, each person living in the EU generated an average of 35.9 kg of plastic packaging waste. Out of this, 14.2 kg were recycled. Compared with 2020, both plastic packaging waste generation and recycling increased: generation increased by 1.4 kg per capita (+4.0 percent) and recycling by +1.2 kg per capita (+9.5 percent).

Between 2011 and 2021, the amount per capita of plastic packaging waste generated increased by 26.7 percent (+7.6kg/per capita). The recycled amount of plastic packaging waste increased over the same period by 38.1 percent (+3.9 kg/per capita).

This information comes from data on packaging waste published by Eurostat today. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article.

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Plastic packaging recycling rate up to 39.7 percent in 2021

Following stricter rules, implemented in 2020 for Member States to report their recycling, the recycling rate shifted from 41.1 percent in 2019 to 37.6 percent in 2020. In 2021, the recycling rate was back to an increasing path, marking 39.7 percent.

In 2021, Slovenia (50.0 percent), Belgium (49.2 percent) and the Netherlands (48.9 percent) recycled half, or almost half, of their plastic packaging waste generated. In contrast, less than one-quarter of plastic packaging waste was recycled in Malta (20.5 percent), France (23.1 percent) and Sweden (23.8 percent).

Source: Eurostat

MT-KOMEX and Fronius are partners for the future

Photo: EP

The MT-KOMEX Company is an expert and reliable partner in the construction of solar power plants. Their well-coordinated and reliable team has worked on more than 200 projects in this field so far while using the best equipment in the market on every one of these projects.

This is the reason why MT-KOMEX has been cooperating with the Fronius Company, which produces one of the best inverters in the market and has been Fronius’ official distributor and partner for seven years.

Miloš Kostić, Director of the MT-KOMEX Company, attended the official commissioning of the new Fronius factory.

“We are long-term partners with a company that produces the best inverters in Europe. Thanks to the new factory, Fronius will now produce over 7,000 megawatts annually, instead of the previous 3,400″, said Mr Kostić.

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He added that he also expected an increase in the number of MPP Trackers, as well as greater efficiency.

“MT-KOMEX will continue to use Fronius inverters on all its projects, both on houses and commercial buildings, as well as in ground power plants”, Mr Kostić underlined.

To remind, instead of the previous seven-year warranty, MT-KOMEX now gives a ten-year warranty for all inverters up to 12.5kW. This extended warranty is now applicable to all new Fronius inverters up to 12.5kW if installed after September 1st, 2023.

Energy portal

IRENA Global Atlas Upgrade Enhances Understanding of Countries’ Renewables Potential

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)
Photo-illustration: Pixabay (mrganso)

Since its inception ten years ago, the IRENA Global Atlas for Renewable Energy has been the hub for open-source renewable resource assessment and data sharing. The new version 4.1 marks a significant milestone with substantial upgrade in capabilities and functionalities.

Building upon its previous version 4.0, the Global Atlas 4.1 enhances users’ experience with a more diverse and comprehensive range of datasets, which resulted from a strong collaboration within the resource data and assessment community. The new version offers historical meteorological reanalysis data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), global agro-ecological zoning version 4 by the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and global pumped hydro energy storage by the Australian National University (ANU).

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The 4.1 version offers advanced functionalities for more efficient data screening and retrieval. It also includes country-specific resource statistics and zones for investment opportunities for solar photovoltaics and onshore wind project development in several countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, with more countries to add next year.
With such zonal techno-economic attributes, the zoning assessment components will support energy planners and modellers, as well as aid countries in planning projects and setting their renewable energy development targets.

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (SailingOnChocolateRoses)

Opening the launch webinar of the Global Atlas version 4.1, IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera emphasised how global access to data is essential in ensuring that the renewable energy targets set by countries are substantive and achievable. In that regard, he said, “The Global Atlas functions as a valuable online platform for assessing renewable energy opportunities and acquiring a thorough understanding of a region or nation’s renewable energy potential. It promotes data sharing and advances the deployment of all forms of renewable energy.”

The Global Atlas has been instrumental in propelling renewable energy initiatives forward. Activities stemming from the Global Atlas for Renewable Energy initiative have assisted two regions in identifying prime project zones, facilitated site-specific evaluations for over 150 large-scale projects in 13 countries, and enabled 20 cities to evaluate the technical feasibility of rooftop solar PV installations. These achievements span regions like the Gulf countries, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Small Island Developing States.

Moderating the webinar, Rabia Ferroukhi, Director of Knowledge Policy and Finance, said, “The notable progress of this initiative underscores IRENA’s dedication to enhancing and addressing the evolving needs of its members as they transition towards a sustainable energy future.” She also expressed her appreciation to all of the data providers and contributors to the platform.

Uniting a worldwide network of over 40 contributors, involving research institutions, private enterprises, and international organisations, the initiative highlights the importance of international collaboration in resource assessment. Furthermore, data providers are encouraged to actively engage and contribute to this collaborative effort, ensuring that the platform remains a dynamic and invaluable resource for a sustainable energy future. See the new version of IRENA Global Atlas here.

Source: IRENA

COOPERATION BETWEEN CEEFOR ENGINEERS AND GERMAN EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF RES

Photo: GIZ
Photo: GIZ

The engineers of the Ceefor company, in cooperation with the company GOPA – International Energy Consultants (Intec), participated in the organization of a study trip to Germany as part of the project Promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in Serbia, which is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and as part of the program of German development cooperation in Serbia.

The project aims to encourage the use of renewable energy sources (RES) in Serbia, representing its great potential to produce electricity and heat and contribute to the green energy transition. The attention is primarily focused on prosumers, that is, solar power plants in households, residential communities, and public and private buildings for supplying their consumption, which deliver surpluses back to the grid. Through cooperation with relevant institutions and organizations, the implementation of the project is carried out by raising awareness of the advantages of solar energy, then by improving the legal and technical framework for the use of RES, as well as strengthening the capacities of relevant target groups, which include representatives of institutions in the field of energy policy, experts from the power industry system, energy managers, the education system, teachers and professors, as well as the civil sector and the media.

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The participants of the study visit were representatives of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, the Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia, Elektrodistribucija, Elektroprivreda Srbije, energy cooperative Elektropionir, as well as energy managers from five local governments and respected representatives of secondary technical schools and universities.

Ceefor company engineers had the opportunity to participate in lectures and exchange experiences with colleagues from Serbia and Germany as co-organizers of the study trip.

Photo: GIZ

Ceefor engineers have many years of experience in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, and this was an opportunity to widen their horizons further.

On the first day, through a presentation, they presented the possibility of acquiring the status of prosumers and their position in Serbia, talking about the regulatory framework and procedures, types of contracts and account clarifications, then about return on investment and profitability for different types of prosumers. They also talked about prosumers in the countries of the European Union and the applicability of examples of good practice in Serbia. The first day was concluded with a discussion about the procedures for connecting to the network and obtaining the status of prosumer in Serbia, as well as about the possibility of simplifying the procedure based on a comparison with the practice in the countries of the European Union.

On the second day, our engineers had the opportunity to listen to lectures by German experts in the field of RES, who spoke about the special conditions for renewable energy sources, and then the compliance and certification process. They also discussed innovations in the field of checking the process of connecting to the network, automating the processing of requests, and future network management and monitoring.

The third day was reserved for a visit to the production facilities of the SMA company, where the entire portfolio was presented to them, from the first inverter to today’s solutions that contain all the elements for the construction of modern solar power plants, i.e. both off-grid and on-grid solutions. Also, they had the opportunity to attend and see what assembling all the elements of inverters from 3 kW to 160 kW looks like.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Conference ‘’Transport and logistics: In the heart of the Economy’’, October 26th in Belgrade

Photo-illustration: Freepik (wirestock)
Photo-illustration: Freepik (bearfotos)

The conference ‘’TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS: IN THE HEART OF THE ECONOMY’’ will take place on October 26th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Resavska 13 – 15, Belgrade.

Structured as an interactive and dynamic dialogue, the 2nd annual conference, aims to offer innovative solutions and new strategies but in the same time identify critical issues related to transport and logistics sector such as: the impact of global economic-geopolitical trends and search for a unique strategy footprint, development of agile and resilient supply chain strategies, reducing CO2 emissions – The Green Deal, facing current challenges: from increased operating costs in logistics to the explosive growth of e-commerce, visions for the future of Women in logistics, pursuing digital initiatives and new AI mechanism, efforts to support regional economic integration with a focus on possible trade and transport facilitations.

Participans include official representatives of the World Bank, Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia, Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of Croatia, Customs Administration of Italy, Custom Administration of Serbia, Italian National Association of Transport companies, Slovenian Association of Transport Companies, Port of Rijeka, Slovenian Railways Freight Transport SŽ – Tovorni promet, and Croatian Railways, directors of leading transport companies such as MSC Global Shipping Company, Moller Maersk Group, Dragon Maritime Group, Transfera, Fercam, Intereuropa AD, Nelt, Samer & Co. Shipping, Metrans Grupa, Srbija Kargo, Milšped, but also IMLEK, Ananas, as well as numerous supply chain experts, local and foreign industry representatives.

The conference is organized jointly by the Association of Italian Industrialists – Konfindustrija Srbija, the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, the Slovenian Business Club and the Croatian Chamber of commerce.

Click here to donwload the conference AGENDA.

By participating you will gain valuable insights from industry experts to better navigate the constantly evolving transport and logistic landscape

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Click on the link to register.

Source: Confindustria Serbia

ABB applies electrical expertise at major green hydrogen site in Denmark

Photo: ABB
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

ABB has been contracted by Danish company H2 Energy Esbjerg ApS to provide basic electrical engineering for the power distribution from grid point of connection to electrolyzers, and for other process equipment at its 1 GW hydrogen production facility in Esbjerg and hydrogen distribution hub in Fredericia, Denmark. The plant, among the largest hydrogen developments in Europe, will produce up to 90,000 tons of hydrogen per year – the equivalent of about 1.9 million barrels of oil per year.

With this project, booked in Q3 2023, ABB will build on its expertise in the Power-to-X sector (PtX) for the development of green hydrogen, which already includes collaborations in Sweden, Norway, and elsewhere in Denmark.

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The PtX facility in Esbjerg, scheduled to start operating by 2027, will convert renewable electricity from offshore wind into green hydrogen to support the decarbonization of heavy industry and road transportation. The hydrogen may also be used for the production of green e-fuels like methanol and ammonia.

“ABB is focused on supporting the EU’s priority to develop renewable hydrogen,” said Per-Erik Holsten, Head of Northern Europe at ABB Energy Industries. “We are increasingly active in the pioneering Power-to-X market which is essential in meeting global energy transition goals and achieving a low carbon society in the future.”

“It was important to collaborate with a company that has the knowledge of managing energy consumption and optimizing energy efficiency during green hydrogen production,” said Julian O’Connell, Project Director of H2 Energy Esbjerg ApS. “It is also critical to ensure we have a reliable and readily available supply of power to support operations at the distribution hub.”

The project by H2 Energy Esbjerg ApS is expected to create up to 60 permanent jobs and supply enough green hydrogen to meet the annual fuel consumption demands of more than 10,000 trucks, around half of all trucks in Denmark, and for heavy industry.

The International Energy Agency’s Global Hydrogen Review1 says the pipeline of projects for the production of low-emission hydrogen is growing at an impressive speed and it could reach up to 24 Mt per year by 2030, if all projects are realized.

Source: ABB

EFFICIENCY OF PANELS MADE BY GERMAN PRODUCER LUXOR SOLAR

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (mrganso)
Photo: : courtesy of Nina Sijerića

Luxor Solar has been a manufacturer of photovoltaic modules since 2007, with headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Their development and design center is also located there, in which they invest two to three million euros per year to provide clients and their users with the best technology for solar power plants of any size, regardless of whether they are residential or large solar parks.

“In the last four years, from the technology of polycrystalline cells, they came to the P TYPE (PERC) technology, which is used successfully to this day. In the Premium segment of our portfolio, we also have modules with N TYPE and HJT technology,” said Nino Sijerić, business development manager at Luxor Solar, with whom we discussed the efficiency and advantages of this company’s solar panels, as well as why presence on the local market is important when choosing the panel brand.

What are the advantages of your company’s solar panels?

Luxor modules are manufactured with state-of-the-art machinery and contain the most modern and efficient cell technology. HJT is currently the most efficient cell technology on the commercial market, providing the best results and module efficiency of more than 23 per cent. As a German company, we provide our users with warranty conditions valid in Germany, so our client or Luxor module user has greater legal certainty. If the irregularity of the module in production turns out, it is easier for users to get their legal effect. Our guarantees in the Premium segment of our modules are 30 years on the product and 30 years on the production. Depending on the technology, this means guaranteeing, for example, for HJT modules, 93 per cent of the nominal power of the module after 30 years, which you will not find in any of our competitors, regardless of whether they are from Europe or Asia.

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Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Asia Chang Yr)

What does the solar panels’ efficiency depend on?

Cells are the heart of every module or panel; in this sense, the type of cells you use in the production of the module also defines the module’s efficiency. We offer our users P TYPE modules (PERC) or P type, which has turned out to be the most economical variant so far. Still, we are currently in transition, and a new generation of cells is competing, the so-called N TYPE cells (or N type), which offer greater efficiency, better temperature behavior and less degradation during the warranty period. However, HJT is currently the most efficient cell technology on the commercial market, providing the best results and module efficiency of over 23 per cent.

Why is the presence of producers on the local market important when choosing a brand of solar modules?

Our clients or users see the solar power plant as an investment for the future. Every investment, including a solar power plant, requires certain security. Of course, clients and users look at references and power plants in operation, ask questions, and get information to find the best solution and the highest quality photovoltaic modules. Luxor modules have been installed in Serbia and the region since 2011 – we have been present for more than 12 years. So, financial institutions in the local area and region already have experience with Luxor modules, and it is easier for them to approve loans in some cases for projects with Luxor modules. Logically, a client or user will prefer to opt for a more locally present brand. For two years in a row, we are the TOP BRAND PV in the module category in Serbia and 10 other countries in the region https://www. luxor.solar/en/news-details/11-joint-forces-for-solar-global-seals-2023.html

Cheaper modules will be found, but the big question is whether they will be better than the Luxor module in terms of efficiency, warranty, electricity production, and according to references in the Balkans for a solar power plant that produces electricity for a guaranteed life of 25 years. Whoever opts for safety and quality opts for Luxor panels.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Urgent action to cut methane emissions from fossil fuel operations essential to achieve global climate targets

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (
Chris LeBoutillier)

Decisive, far-reaching efforts to cut methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use must go hand-in-hand with decarbonisation of our energy systems to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels, released today, builds on findings from the IEA’s recently updated net zero pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. It shows that while a drop in fossil fuel demand would cut methane emissions, these reductions by themselves would not occur fast enough to meet the world’s climate goals. Additional targeted actions to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use – such as by eliminating routine venting and flaring and repairing leaks – are essential to limit warming to 1.5 °C and reduce the risk of crossing irreversible climate tipping points.

The new report finds that rapid cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuels could avoid up to 0.1 °C in global temperature rise by mid-century – greater than the emissions impact of immediately taking all cars and trucks in the world off the road.

As methane emissions lead to ground-level ozone pollution, immediate action would also deliver public health, food security and economic benefits. Based on modelling of the UNEP/CCAC Global Methane Assessment published in 2021 – which, for the first time, assessed and integrated the climate and air pollution costs and benefits from methane mitigation – methane action would prevent nearly 1 million premature deaths due to ozone exposure, 90 million tonnes of crop losses due to ozone and climate changes, and about 85 billion hours of lost labour due to extreme heat by 2050. This would generate roughly USD 260 billion in direct economic benefits through 2050. The Global Methane Assessment formed the scientific underpinning of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) by illustrating that there are readily available measures to achieve its goals.

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Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (geralt)

“Reducing methane emissions from the energy sector is one of the best – and most affordable – opportunities to limit global warming in the near term,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said. “Early actions by governments and industry to drive down methane emissions need to go hand-in-hand with reductions in fossil fuel demand and CO2 emissions. This report sets out the clear case for strong, swift action.”

“Cutting methane doesn’t let us off the hook to make good on the just energy transition. But cutting methane is a low hanging fruit while we work on the overall decarbonization of our economies in tandem with supporting our societies to build greater resilience. Investments in maintenance and operational changes that prevent methane from leaking into the atmosphere are a fraction of profits made from fossil fuels. This is in stark contrast to the cost of inaction, from crop productivity losses, to impacts on human health and the economy,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

“We know what to do, we have the means to do it,” she added. “There is a support-system in place to help countries develop roadmaps, policies, and regulations, and to provide countries and companies with credible data to drive emissions reductions. We must do it now.”

The report was launched at MENA Climate Week 2023, a forum for leaders to discuss climate and energy issues in the Middle East and North Africa during the Global Stocktake process. This process will culminate at the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for around 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution; it is the second largest contributor to global warming after CO2. More than half of global emissions stem from human activities in three sectors: agriculture, waste and fossil fuels.

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Patrick Hendry)

Under current trajectories, total methane emissions from human activities could rise by up to 13 percent between 2020 and 2030. In a scenario that limits warming to 1.5 °C, they need to fall by 30 percent to 60 percent over this timeframe. Cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuel operations will likely need to provide around half of this reduction.

More than three-quarters of methane emissions from oil and gas operations and half of emissions from coal can be abated with existing technology, often at low cost.

Tackling methane emissions is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Around USD 75 billion in spending is required to 2030 to deploy all methane abatement measures in the oil and gas sector in the IEA’s net zero scenario, the report finds. This is equivalent to less than 2 percent of the income generated by the oil and gas industry in 2022.

Source: IEA

A CRAFT THAT PRESERVES TRADITION AND SAVES OLD UMBRELLAS FROM OBLIVION

Photo: courtesy of Tatjana Živković
Photo: courtesy of Tatjana Živković

Songs were written about Balkanska Street, and now this street is writing a love story that is nurtured and passed on to new generations. In the heart of Belgrade, there is a craft shop called “Kišobrani” (“Umbrellas“), where rare and precious knowledge is passed down to now the third generation.

While carefully observing her mother’s work since childhood, Tatjana Živković today proudly holds the title of master of umbrellas. She was the one that has helped this story to survive, passing the knowledge she inherited to her children. We spoke with Tatjana about the value that artisanal work had in the past and how it has found its place in consumer society today.

While growing up, Tatjana was always surrounded by this craft, perceiving it as something natural, but without giving it much thought that it would be something that she would do in her future. After school, she would take her friends to her mother’s tiny shop, where a dozen of them would gather and continue socializing, laughing and being joyful. She learned the trade by watching her mother, listening to her conversations with customers or when she thought aloud about how she could solve a problem.

IN FOCUS:

Photo: courtesy of Tatjana Živković

The biggest obstacle to crafts today is the established habit of consumer society that replacing an existing product with a new one is easier than trying to repair and maintain it. However, a segment of society still prefers quality and sentimental values. As Tatjana says, most of her customers are emotionally attached to their umbrellas, so they are less interested in the price.

“People no longer value things emotionally, but financially, and we should ask ourselves why how we became this way. An umbrella you inherited from your parents or even grandparents will serve you much longer than any umbrella you can buy in stores or online today. It always makes me happy when young people bring an umbrella they found in the attic, the basement, or some other place where we usually leave old things,” says Tatjana.

The shop tries to restore such umbrellas to their former glory and satisfy the customer. In return, they enjoy the feeling you get when you restore a forgotten thing with your hands and bring it to its purpose again. Umbrellas about a hundred years old were brought to the shop for repair, which they managed to do flawlessly. Currently, they have several umbrellas in the shop that are over 80 years old.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

ENERGETIK ENERGIJA D.O.O.- NEW AND UNIQUE LIVE TECHNICAL TRAINING “BATTERIES AND LEGISLATION 2024” in cooperation with SolarEdge

Photo: Energetik energija
Photo-illustration: Freepik (rawpixel.com)

Energetik energija d.o.o. invites all interested parties to attend their upcoming event – “Batteries and legislation 2024 Live Technical Training”, which will be held 26.10.2023 in Unija, Brezovica pri Ljubljani in Slovenia starting at 8:30

The topic of the technical training will be batteries. As already known, the legislation will change in 2024 and batteries will play a big role in this transition.

The goal of Energetik energija is to equip all installers, PV designers, etc. with basic and fundamental information and practical knowledge for effective movement through this transition.

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In order for all those interested in achieving this, they have prepared an extensive program for the event itself:

  1. Legal insight and updates: Andreja Belavić Benedik Univ. B.Sc. Eng. member of Eneregtik’s technical support team, will provide legal advice to all participants and inform you of all changes and mandatory procedures. You will receive valuable legal advice and notifications about all legal changes and mandatory procedures related to batteries. Understanding the legal aspects is key to ensuring compliance and a smooth transition. Of course, there will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
  2. Technical training: After going through bureaucracy in detail, experts from the Energetik energija d.o.o. trusted partner SolarEdge will then start with a real-time demonstration/training on how to effectively install, connect and install the battery systems. This hands-on experience will equip you with the knowledge needed to reliably instal battery systems.

The Energetik Technical Training, held live, is free of charge, and all that’s needed for registration is available through the link provided here.

The number of participants is limited!

Energetik Energija’s passion for customers is reflected in every segment of their work and inspires them to raise the standards of mutual interaction and successful cooperation with every customer or enthusiast in the renewable energy sector. Spreading knowledge is just one of the things you can expect from them. The highest level of user experience, a wide range of knowledge and expertise, the team’s dedication to each client and much more are what sets Energetik Energia apart from the rest.

Soruce: Energetik Energija

SolarEdge from the point of view of the installer

Photo-illustration: Unsplash ( Mariana Proença)
Photo: Courtesy of Radiša Zakić

As an inexhaustible source of renewable energy, solar is one of the crucial cornerstones of energy independence. High-quality photovoltaic systems are the priority for all investors who view them through the return on investment and the savings they generate. Radiša Zakić found a safe and reliable partner in the SolarEdge Company.

When did you start working with SolarEdge?

I’m a BSc. with extensive experience in solar energy since 2012. My journey began with one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first solar projects, a 10kW ground-mounted installation using a Samil Power inverter. Despite the company’s closure, the system still functions efficiently. I’ve since explored various solar aspects, from designing irrigation systems with Lorentz technology to backup solutions with Studer, all during a period of low electricity prices and no feed-in tariffs.

In 2020 and 2021, I encountered SolarEdge, a game-changer in my career. Recognizing their leadership potential in the inverter sector due to cutting-edge tech and robust R&D, we embarked on our largest Balkan project. Despite 2022’s chip shortage challenges, we’re currently engaged in 3MWp projects across Bosnia and Serbia.”

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When it comes to designing PV systems for our clients, what are the critical factors you consider?

“The most important aspect to consider is ensuring the safety of the business operations under the solar roof. Clients naturally desire the utmost safety, and SolarEdge provides that precisely. With their technology, safety is maximized, giving our clients peace of mind.”

Could you elaborate on the advantages of collaborating with SolarEdge from an installer’s perspective?

“Working with SolarEdge as an installer offers many advantages, but, for sure, the fundamental one is support, support, and more support. Simply put, there is no support quite like SolarEdge’s. It’s a game-changer in the industry. I have the trust to be always backed up when working with their products.”

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Asia Chang Yr)

For potential investors, what are the standout benefits of choosing SolarEdge?

“Investors will find SolarEdge to be an appealing choice due to their extensive warranty coverage, unparalleled safety features, cost-effective service, swift response times, readily available spare parts in the European Union with speedy delivery, comprehensive system monitoring, and more.”

In your opinion, what sets SolarEdge apart in terms of competitive advantages?

“The most significant competitive edge that SolarEdge boasts is an unwavering commitment to safety, backed by extensive warranties, top-tier support, and continuous research and development.”

Could you delve into how SolarEdge distinguishes itself from other players in the industry?

“SolarEdge’s differentiating factor lies in its proximity to customers and installers. They consistently respond to calls and offer unparalleled support. Their R&D division operates round the clock, and in my view, SolarEdge envisions the future from a unique perspective compared to other companies. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about being there for the customers, who often aren’t well-versed in the technology they’ve invested in.”

In terms of clients, which categories do you believe are the best fit for SolarEdge installations?

“I wholeheartedly recommend SolarEdge for residential installations. When it comes to commercial installations on rooftops up to 1 MWp, I have full confidence in SolarEdge’s capabilities. While I haven’t yet tackled utility-scale projects on land, I believe they can be successful, although it’s challenging to compete with the price pressure exerted by string inverter manufacturers in this arena.”

Radisa Zakic’s insights shed light on the dynamic world of solar energy and the pivotal role played by SolarEdge in delivering safe, efficient, and reliable PV systems to clients across Bosnia and Serbia. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that SolarEdge’s commitment to innovation and support is making a profound impact, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future powered by the sun.

For more information on SolarEdge, see here

Source: SolarEdge

New trends and innovative technologies in one place

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Burst)
Photo: Siemens

The Siemens company is a symbol of innovation and technical expertise, in which numerous opportunities for learning and improvement are constantly opening up. In addition to being known for cutting-edge technological solutions, this company has many female engineers who are technology experts, which is a real refresh since the usual engineering team is mostly made up of men. At Siemens, they do not differentiate between women and men engineers or other profiles, but work and knowledge come first. Among the female engineers is Sunčica Cvetković, director of the smart network department of  Siemens Serbia.

Statistics show that men when it comes to the engineering profession, make up the largest percentage. How much does Siemens, in your experience, empower women engineers?

Siemens is a company with many opportunities for learning and improvement, and if you have that personal urge to learn, then the possibilities are endless. Although my team consists mainly of men when it comes to gender equality, I work in a company where there is no distinction between women and men engineers or other profiles; they only value work and knowledge. In the younger generations, the trend is that there are in engineering work more men changing, which makes me happy.

Colleagues in my team are experts in their work, professional and dedicated. I see my role as supporting the further development of everyone in the group and motivating us to continue achieving success. Siemens always tries to be one step ahead in the market and, somehow, sets an example for other technology companies.

IN FOCUS:

How much will digitization improve everyone’s life?

Digitization definitely makes life easier. We are all users of various electronic services that save us time. The possibility of working from home as part of the digitalization process brings a new concept of life organization in general and buys both men and women some time in their daily activities. When it comes to smart grids that we deal with, they refer primarily to the power system. These are solutions for high-quality and reliable electricity supply – digitization in the energy sector. Siemens is a leader in innovation in this area. Our mission is to bring the latest technologies that are applied worldwide closer to our users, and together we create solutions for the needs of the local market.

In the wake of the global energy crisis, the need to stop climate needs comes to the fore. To what extent is it possible to find technological solutions for these problems?

We live in fast and unpredictable times, where we depend a lot on world circumstances, and advanced technologies are the answer to some of those changes. Innovation and digitization are truly key to completely redefining economies and economies around the world. A green, circular economy is not feasible without innovative solutions that will connect our real, physical world and the one we create in the digital domain. Siemens is one of the few technology leaders that combine those two worlds, offering a synergy of hardware and software solutions that provide users with faster and more flexible operational processes and smart solutions that offer better productivity or infrastructure with efficient energy use.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

3 myths about zero waste explained

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Antoine GIRET)
Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Pexels)

Waste is becoming an increasingly pressing issue: for our environment, for our societies, and for human health. Moving towards a zero-waste future is not just a lofty goal but a necessity. And it can help us get closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption patterns.

The concept of zero waste represents a systemic shift that requires rethinking our consumption patterns and production methods to reduce pollution, conserve resources and minimize the amount of waste we generate.

While the zero-waste vision has garnered much attention, there are some common misconceptions. Let’s debunk three of these myths and gain a better understanding of how zero waste can work in practice.

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Myth 1: Zero waste means producing absolutely no waste at all

One of the biggest misconceptions about zero waste is the belief that it means producing absolutely no waste. Zero waste is a long-term target on the journey we have to start today. While the ultimate goal is to minimize waste as much as possible, achieving zero waste in the strictest sense is incredibly challenging, if not impossible, in today’s societies.

Zero waste is about making conscious choices to reduce waste in every aspect of our lives. This involves designing out waste from the product inception stage, creating reuse and repair models, and safely recycling products that cannot be reused. While some might believe this transition to be inconvenient or costly, it can actually save money in the long run, by reducing the need for disposal services and limiting the costs linked to nature destruction and negative health impacts.

The focus should be to consistently reduce our waste footprint. Achieving zero waste is a continuous journey and a useful vision to aim for.

Myth 2: Zero waste is all about recycling

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

While recycling is an important component of waste reduction, let’s keep in mind that today, less than 20 percent of waste is recycled each year. Most waste still finds its way into nature or the world’s landfills and dumpsites. Without any drastic changes, it is projected that by 2050 the amount of global waste generated will increase by 70 percent compared to 2016 levels.

There is simply no way that we can recycle our way out of this crisis. Instead, we must turn off the tap at the source – and that is exactly what zero waste is about: preventing waste generation in the first place, reusing materials, and redesigning products and processes to minimize waste.

Myth 3: Zero waste is for individuals, not businesses

The responsibility of reducing waste is often framed as a lifestyle choice for individuals. However, businesses have a significant impact on waste production and can make substantial contributions towards a zero-waste future.

Government policies can encourage businesses to adopt a holistic approach to zero waste by promoting product design that prioritizes durability, repairability, and reuse. They can also mandate waste reduction targets for businesses and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices. Businesses can implement zero-waste strategies by designing waste out from the get-go, reevaluating their supply chains, reducing packaging waste, and partnering with suppliers that prioritize sustainability.

Achieving zero waste requires the collective effort from governments, businesses and citizens. With the right policies and business practices in place, we can realize this important vision and create a cleaner, greener, healthier planet for all.

Source: UNDP

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