ENERGY EFFICIENCY FACTOR WHEN BUYING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES IN SERBIA

08.06.2023

energy , green , power — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

It seems that raising awareness of the need for a rational attitude towards energy and energy products is more important than the establishment of energy efficiency measures because where it does not exist, the introduction of mandatory measures is inevitable. The “Turn to Green” campaign, created in cooperation between the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the European Union, was aimed precisely at informing citizens to influence awareness of the importance of choosing more energy-efficient products when purchasing. We spoke with Mirko Đapić, PhD, one of the key experts on the project Eco-design and energy labeling of products, about the results of the implemented campaign and the awareness of our citizens about energy efficiency.

The main communication channels of the part of the campaign dedicated to citizens were the media. At the same time, training was held for sellers, distributors, small and medium-sized enterprises and employees of the Ministry of Mining and Energy. More than 70 media participated in the implementation of this campaign through advertising spots and guest appearances by project collaborators on television with a national frequency, as well as on the radio. Also, video materials were distributed through social networks, billboards were placed in 40 locations, and printed materials were distributed to citizens. There were stickers on city buses.

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Speaking about the achieved results, Mirko Đapić, PhD, says they are satisfied with what has been achieved. It is supported by the results of the public opinion poll conducted at the beginning and end of the campaign.

“We can state that there has been an increase in the number of Serbian citizens familiar with the concept of energy efficiency compared to the situation before the campaign was launched. For example, 81 per cent of respondents claim to be familiar with this term (77 per cent before the start of the campaign), 68 per cent of respondents are aware of the meaning of the energy class labels on the electrical devices they use (66 per cent before the campaign), while 72 per cent know that the device is more efficient if its estimated energy efficiency is rated green (68 per cent before the start of the campaign)”, says our interlocutor.

Nevertheless, the doubts present among citizens regarding energy efficiency are still great and are especially pronounced among the elderly population, citizens with a lower level of education, as well as those with lower personal and family incomes. When asked whether the reason for the insufficient response of citizens to the call for the replacement of products with higher energy efficiency is financial or a lack of awareness, Mirko Đapić, PhD, says 41 that the answer includes both reasons.

According to him, one of the key motives of citizens when buying products is still the savings they can achieve. That is why it is necessary, and the media is expected, to inform the citizens of the result of choosing energy-efficient products, which is reflected not only in the contribution to the preservation of the environment but also in financial savings.

However, it is necessary to work on enabling more favorable purchases for those groups of citizens who cannot make purchases due to insufficient income, through financial incentives, deferred payment, payment in installments, and exchanging old for new.

It is necessary to focus the activities on developing awareness of personal contribution to the increase of energy efficiency among citizens and among sellers of household appliances because they can also be one of the channels of influence, bearing in mind the significant reliance on their recommendations.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (PhotoMIX-Company)

“For example, respondents who come from Vojvodina and Western Serbia and Šumadija, as well as from rural areas of Serbia, above average rely on recommendations, and the sellers themselves confirm this finding,” says Mirko Đapić.

Although sellers claim that all products are adequately marked with energy efficiency labels, it seems that customers still do not pay much attention to these labels. It is confirmed by the fact that more than 60 per cent of citizens do not know that there have been changes in the scaling of energy efficiency labels.

The results of a survey conducted as part of the project before the launch of the “Turn to Green” campaign show that when buying home appliances in Serbia, the brand of the appliance has a decisive influence, as confirmed by 33 per cent of the respondents. This is followed by the price of the device (30 per cent), low power consumption (13 per cent) and the possibility of purchasing the device in installments (6 per cent). Based on these results, we can conclude that only 13 per cent of Serbian citizens are guided by the energy efficiency of the appliances when purchasing them, while in the EU, it is about 79 per cent of citizens.

“That is one of the main reasons why the EU, through the application of legislation in the field of eco-design and energy labeling of products, reduced household electricity consumption by 20 per cent from 1990 to 2020, taking 1990 as the base year,” says Đapić.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

THE COMPANY ENERGETIK ENERGIJA D.O.O. CONQUERS THE BALKAN MARKET

07.06.2023

Research said that solar and wind energy has expanded during the past several years, and now they make up more than 10 per cent of global electricity. When it comes to solar energy, growth is notable, and the global capacity is expected to grow more than double by 2025 and continue in the following years. Balkan is on a good path, however, it will take time for this renewable energy to become an energy mainstay in households in Serbia and, thus, a part of our daily life.

Riccardo Frisinghelli, CEO of Energetik Energija d.o.o., confirms for our Magazine that the growth of solar energy usage is expected to increase in the coming years. As a specialized distributor of photovoltaic material, Energetik Energija d.o.o is expanding and growing each year and only by providing a different approach to clients. Energetik Energija d.o.o., doesn’t just bring products, prices, or readyto-stock availability but also a human approach, where all the clients and potential ones are listened to and understood, after which the company can suggest solutions to customers easily.

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EP: The company Energetik Enerija d.o.o. was created due to 20 years of experience and enthusiasm in the energy and renewable energy field. What can you offer your clients today?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: What Energetik Energija d.o.o., offers to all its customers, wherever they are in the world, is that we don’t just sell products. We’re not just a product list and availability. To be a specialized distributor of photovoltaic material like we are, having availability and prices that are appropriate to the market is part of the DNA of a company, and I don’t see it as something special. What I see as something special is a company’s approach, actively listening to the customer and understanding their needs to design the technological solution together. That’s why I believe Energetik Energija d.o.o. doesn’t just bring products, prices, or ready-to-stock availability. To be the right supplier for photovoltaic installers around the world, it’s not enough to have ready-made materials and prices. We must demonstrate what’s behind the availability, study the markets to understand what products to have ready, listen to our partners to understand when they need them and try to anticipate their needs. Having a full warehouse has never been a characteristic that Energetik Energija d.o.o. boasts about. But having a ready warehouse with products based on our customers’ forecasts is. The customer feels understood by us, my colleagues are always available to listen, and no one waits for more than 24 hours for an answer because we know that speed is essential. Time is not a variable; it’s a factor in the business operation. The installers who turn to us need quick answers and the product only when they can go to install it. With Energetik Energija d.o.o., that’s exactly what happens. You’re heard, we find the solution together, and when you must go on the roof, your product will be in the warehouse ready for you. That’s what Energetik Energija d.o.o. does: we listen, learn, and once we’ve learned, we suggest solutions to customers. The technological solutions that we offer are based on a thorough study of the customer’s needs and the market. That’s why Energetik Energija d.o.o. is constantly looking to improve to be the right partner for photovoltaic installers in Serbia.

EP: You have been in this business for a long time. How fast is the technology in this field advancing? Which segment of progress would you single out in particular?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: I have been working in the photovoltaic industry since 2007, always with leading companies on the market. I started in the Italian market and went through all the challenges, ups and downs, to become an international manager at VP Solar. It is a difficult question because I have witnessed many technological innovations that have changed this market over the years. Undoubtedly, we now live in a completely different world regarding technology. Just think of the big challenges related to storage systems and electric mobility. The production of photovoltaic modules has changed a lot, and the industrial economy of scale has led to the fact that today we have prices that allow everyone to install solar panels on their roofs. However, I still want to believe that, despite very useful incentives to stimulate the market, in addition to increasingly powerful photovoltaic modules, more efficient inverters, larger storage capacities and electric mobility, the real development lies in smart grids where each of us can use electricity as a value that we can exchange and share with our fellow citizens and neighbors. For me, energy sharing is essential in all the proposed technologies. In a network where energy can be shared, we will truly feel like we are all part of a system that is geared towards change.

EP: The use of solar energy in the last few years has been experiencing expansion. How do you see it, and what do you expect from the next years?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: It is, more or less, natural flow. The growth of solar energy usage is expected to increase in the coming years. The adoption of solar energy is followed by technological advancements, decreasing costs and government incentives with different financing for renewable energy, and they result in more than logical growth of the photovoltaic industry. The global solar energy capacity is expected to grow more than double by 2025 and continue to grow in the following years. However, this growth varies from country to region, and Balkan is on a good path. Renewable energy, especially solar energy, is at the centre of the transition to less carbon-intensive energy. The increasing demand for electricity, especially in developing countries, is also expected to contribute to the growth of photovoltaics.

EP: For years, you have been cooperating with the world’s most famous manufacturers and Slovenian companies. Can you tell us more about that?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: As a specialized distributor of photovoltaic components, we are at the center of the supply chain. We are very close to the most reliable and largest manufacturers in the world, both for photovoltaic panels and inverters, both for storage systems and charging stations and mounting systems, but our secret and commitment is to be even closer to the needs of installers because, in the end, the real decision-maker in this field is the installer. The installer has the trust of the end customer, who decides what to install, when to install, and at what price. Over the years, we have become a true and proper supplier partner for all the companies that are now our suppliers and customers. Whether you are a large energy operator or an installer focusing on installing small systems in your city or the countryside, it doesn’t matter. At Energetik Energija d.o.o., you will always find someone who will take care of your needs and provide you with the best advice and products for your system. You will find people who are attentive to your needs and willing to give you your product when you need it at a competitive price and at the address you choose. Energetik Energija d.o.o. doesn’t just want to be a distributor, it wants to be your warehouse, the warehouse for installers so that the installer can only think about selling and installing systems when the time comes.

Interviewed by: Nevena Đukić

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN SERBIA

06.06.2023

light-bulb-ga18dc4f73_1920 — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (jplenio)

You’ve probably heard quite a few times already that we can’t really boast of having a careful attitude towards energy consumption because energy consumption in our country is several times higher than in the European Union countries. The Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy prescribes an energy management system as one of the ways to save energy.

Energy management system and its entities

The subjects of the energy management system are the Government, the Ministry, the obligors of the energy management system, energy managers and energy advisors.

Following the provisions of this law, it is the Government that, following the line Ministry’s proposal, enacts regulations in the field of energy and rational use of energy. At the same time, system obligors execute them to facilitate the rational use of energy with the least possible costs. Obligors of the energy management system are companies and public enterprises whose main activity is production, retail/wholesale or service, provided they have annual energy consumption greater than the amount prescribed by the Government. In addition to them, local self-governments, and municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants, as well as state administration bodies and other bodies and organizations founded by the Republic of Serbia, then bodies and organizations of autonomous provinces and organizations for mandatory social insurance, are also liable.

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The energy management system obligors have to monitor and analyze all aspects of their energy consumption and keep records of it. They must establish energy efficiency goals for their operations and submit an Annual Report on their results to the Ministry. Furthermore, they must appoint an energy manager who reports to the Ministry.

An energy manager is a person who has an energy manager’s license issued under this law and who is appointed by the system obligor. Based on the Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy, the Rulebook on the appointment of energy managers was approved in December 2022.

The term energy manager is relatively rare in Serbia, so the Rulebook enables a clearer understanding of its meaning.

The Rulebook prescribes the necessary conditions for the appointment of energy managers, depending on the type of system obligor and the type of license of the energy manager.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (American Public Power Association)

Speaking of companies, one manager is appointed for each location, and their license depends on the type of their principal activity. Accordingly, an energy manager license may be required for the industrial or construction energy segment.

When it comes to municipalities, the number of energy managers depends on the population in that municipality and whether a city is comprised of municipalities or not. The number of managers is specifically prescribed for the Belgrade area, and the energy manager must have a public sector energy license in all these cases.

The third type of obligor, which includes authorities and organizations, has to appoint at least one energy manager each. The number may increase depending on whether they submit an annual report on reaching their energy-saving targets for more than 100 buildings or 100,000m². These managers must hold a public sector energy license or a construction energy license.

The energy manager collects and analyzes data on the method of energy use by the system obligor and participates in drafting the energy efficiency plan and programme. Also, the energy manager proposes energy efficiency measures, participates in their implementation and undertakes other activities necessary to achieve energy efficiency. Finally, the manager prepares the Annual Report on the achieved results.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

It’s time for governments and industry to act on energy efficiency

06.06.2023

energy-gf2c019551_1920 — Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (ColiN00B)

Amid a global energy crisis, policy makers, industry executives and consumers are all talking about how to bring down the cost of energy and reinforce security of supply. Often that conversation focuses on energy source we should use.

Discussions on energy supply tend to dominate the headlines. Yet, there’s one energy source, the “first fuel” as it’s known, that rarely gets the airtime it deserves – energy efficiency. The last year has taught us all how important smarter use of energy is to our security of supply and economic resilience.

Energy efficiency is equally vital to climate action and clean energy transitions around the world. Few technologies can claim to save energy, save money, and save the planet all in one go – while creating jobs in the process. The energy efficiency industry employs tens of millions of people around the world, and there’s more to come.

There’s never been as much interest in energy efficiency as there is today. That’s why next week IEA are hosting the most significant high-level conference on this subject ever: the IEA’s 8^th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency. From 6-8 June, 600 people from more than 80 countries, including over 30 ministers and 50 CEOs, will gather in the historic setting of Versailles to discuss how to accelerate energy efficiency. The event is co-hosted by France’s Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and Executive Director of IEA Fatih Birol, and is being organised in partnership with Schneider Electric. Across three days of high-level discussions, a wide range of topics will be on the agenda including finance, innovation, digitalisation and consumer engagement.

Policy will have a critical role to play in whether the world delivers on energy efficiency in the short, medium and long term. Just in the past year or so, we have seen many new policies announced. The RePowerEU plan in Europe, the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States and Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) initiative are just a few examples, while various emerging and developing economies – including India, Chile and South Africa – have enacted progressive measures to stimulate the energy efficiency agenda. Countries around the world are demonstrating a commitment to efficiency whether that’s through smart meters, high-quality appliances, well-insulated buildings or supporting industrial consumers and businesses to optimise their operations. But no country has implemented them all, and there is no silver bullet to deliver the energy savings needed to help put the world on course for net zero emissions while limiting global warming to the 1.5 °C target.

In 2022, global investments in energy efficiency – such as building renovations, public transport and electric car infrastructure – reached USD 560 billion, an increase of 16 precent on 2021, according to the IEA’s latest energy efficiency market report. But overall efficiency investment in 2023 is expected to be largely flat, hampered by the global energy crisis and higher costs in the building sector among a number of other factors. At our conference, the IEA will be urging greater ambition and the need to prioritise energy efficiency implementation without delay.

Source: IEA

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

05.06.2023

more-obala-sea-nature — Foto-ilustracija: Pexels

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5, which triggers conversations at the global level about the need to preserve the health of our planet Earth. Recognition of this day was initiated by The United Nations, and it is celebrated as such in over 140 countries.

It was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 after the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, and since 1974 it has been celebrated with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues, as well as encouraging political actions on this topic.

The global commemoration is anchored each year around a unique theme, which focuses on a particular concern for the environment – for example, in 2021 the theme was “Ecosystem Restoration”. A certain country is the host every year, and it takes a leading role in organizing the event. This year it is Côte d’Ivoire, and the main topic on June 5, 2023 is “Solutions to plastic pollution”.

On the occasion of this day, the “Fair of Green Ideas, Projects and Innovations” is being held in Serbia. The best projects for the green transformation of the Serbian economy and society will be presented at the “Cvijeta Zuzorić” Art Pavilion at Kalemegdan. Also, three panel discussions related to the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Serbia will be held as part of this fair.

The environment includes everything – from tiny microorganisms to tall mountains, from the great oceans to the vast deserts, from the canopy of tropical rain forests to the polar ice caps. The environment is the sum of our planet’s ecosystems, which provide resources for every form of life, influencing the global climate and enabling the overall survival of the Earth.

However, in the face of rapid technological progress and increasing human activities, the environment is threatened, and it is not surprising that every year a global conversation must be held on the topics of environmental challenges. Degradation of ecosystems, extinction of species, climate change, pollution, deforestation and other environmental problems are creating more and more serious consequences that leave their mark more and more quickly. This represents a significant challenge for the common future of humanity, making environmental protection a priority.

A wide range of activities and strategies is inevitable to make this day in the calendar meaningful. Reducing carbon emissions, controlling pollution, preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of resources, driving electric cars, bicycles, scooters, heating systems based on renewable energy, recycling, better waste management, solar energy, hydro energy, wind energy are all part of the solution. By protecting our environment, we will not only ensure the survival of countless species, but also our own survival as a species.

Milica Vučković

ROAD TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY THAT MUST BE TAKEN

05.06.2023

stolarija prozor kuca stara — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Sergiu Valena)

It seems that we have never had as many doubts about energy supply as we have this winter. Worrying about whether our homes will be warm during cold days opened up the topic of energy saving, which prompted us to think about how energy efficient our homes are and how important that is in times of crisis.

We spoke with Aleksandar Macura, co-founder and programme director of the RES Foundation, about the ongoing energy issues, including energy transition and energy poverty.

EP: Energy efficiency, it seems, is on everybody’s lips, but how much do we really know about it?

Aleksandar Macura: Recently, there has been an increase in awareness of the importance of energy efficiency. A certain increase in knowledge accompanies this, but the room for improvement is still ample for both professional and ordinary people. As energy efficiency and its importance are both complex and multidisciplinary, education requires time and engagement from professionals, media, civil society organizations and others. The role of professionals is the most important, and their ethics is crucial. Every concrete investment in energy efficiency in the public and private sectors are, at the same time, educational activity. It is important to significantly reduce the number of professional violations in the creation and implementation of these measures.

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EP: How important is it to save energy and use it most efficiently?

Aleksandar Macura: Serbia doesn’t have above-average natural resources that facilitate the supply of energy at low prices and the economy’s competitiveness. At the same time, the population’s living standard cannot be developed based on low energy prices in the long term. Our energy mix is also relatively “dirty” because of the resources we use and how we use them. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is, in my opinion, a key development direction for our country. In Serbia, energy efficiency is not observed appropriately, although some progress is visible.

EP: Like all of Europe, Serbia feels the consequences of the energy crisis. Who was most affected by this energy crisis?

Aleksandar Macura: The mismanaged sector, burdened with various deficiencies in the way it is organized, has received a strong external blow. Society, quite expectedly, was unprepared to deal with it. Thanks to various factors, there have been no major consequences for the security of supply so far. The prices of energy and energy products for businesses have increased significantly, and those who consume energy most inefficiently are the most affected.

Taxpayers are also taking a big hit because, according to established practice, the cost of the crisis was passed on to them. Even before the crisis, the operations of parts of the energy sector were paid for by taxpayers. This has been especially true recently for the gas sector, where costs are almost regularly socialized.

EP: Serbia defined the concept of energy poverty, but who are the most vulnerable population segments in our country today?

Aleksandar Macura: The definition establishes a framework for creating and implementing policies to reduce energy poverty. However, the very definition of energy poverty does not help us reach the specific people with a problem. To do this, it is necessary to collaborate with social welfare institutions. This has already been accomplished in some local governments. On the other hand, for years, Serbia has had a mechanism in place, thanks to which several tens of thousands of households received help by having part of their electricity bills paid. Amendments to the Regulation on energy-vulnerable customers have created prerequisites for more people to be on the receiving end of this help. Certainly, this assistance does not permanently improve the position of households since it does not affect energy efficiency in how energy is consumed in those homes.

The need to help hundreds of thousands of households that use firewood for heating, which has become significantly more expensive and to improve the efficiency of its use by giving away more efficient heating devices is still completely unfilled.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN SERBIA

04.06.2023

The construction industry in Serbia is at the beginning of a transformation that should enable, through the application of innovative and sustainability standards, to reach European and world trends in this branch of the economy. With a reliable partner, reaching long-term and sustainable solutions is certainly easier. Jelena Jolović, manager of the Novaston platform, reveals to us what kind of innovations they bring to the domestic market.

EP: Novaston is a leader when it comes to raising sustainability standards. What sets you apart from the competition, and what do you offer to your clients?

Jelena Jolović: Four different sectors operate within the Novaston platform, which has been successfully operating for 10 years on the domestic and regional market. They cover a wide range of services: from project design and development, property management, valuation, and mediation in the sale and letting of real estate to marketing. This is exactly what sets us apart in the market – within our company and in agreement with the client, we create a custom-made approach to work that can be unique in our market.

We approach each client individually, and with all previous experiences, we jointly create a model that best suits the needs and situation in the market. When it comes to applying sustainability standards, we can say from experience that the market is becoming aware of the importance of such projects in the community. When the investors are companies from the European or American market, they have the initiative, and the facilities are designed and executed according to the latest standards.

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EP: What are the biggest challenges in the construction industry that you have encountered in your work, and how do you overcome them?

Jelena Jolović: There are always two main areas of challenge: budget and time frame. Implementation of sustainability standards is easiest in the design process. At that moment, when the result is not so tangible, the biggest challenge is to convince the client to push the boundaries and set new standards in terms of financial profitability.

The process is more demanding if the client does not come from an environment where energy efficiency is a priority. Still, that requirement was imposed by the user of the facility, i.e. the tenant. However, from experience, we see that in the end, the client sees all the benefits that energy efficiency brings to him in the later use of the facility.

Sometimes it is not possible to implement all the measures required by the certification body due to the underdeveloped market in Serbia, so we have to find innovative solutions to achieve points while staying within the limits of domestic production. That is why we constantly emphasize the importance of the state’s participation through incentives for investors, but also other types of support, such as the opening of waste sorting and recycling facilities.

EP: What can you tell us about the LEED Gold certificate, and which buildings in Serbia have it or will soon receive it?

Jelena Jolović: The LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certificate was established in 1994 on the American market, and a decade later, we already had the first certified facilities in Serbia. LEED certification is important for investors who show responsibility in business and set an excellent example in the construction industry. A facility designed and constructed according to LEED Gold or Premium standards has reduced electricity and water consumption, lowered CO2 emissions by 10 to 30 per cent, reduced operating costs and increased the value of the facility. The LEED certificate is also extremely important for the end users of such facilities. They are healthier and happier, have better working conditions, more natural light and greenery, but also the feeling that they contribute to the betterment of society. One of the projects we are currently working on with Schneider Electric and investor Aleksandar Gradnja is in the process of obtaining the LEED Gold certificate. It is about the reconstruction of the industrial production hall of the Novkabel complex in Novi Sad, which will have 17,000 m2 upon completion.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

EASIER TO BUY A FRUGAL DEVICE THANKS TO NEW LABELS

03.06.2023

The rational use of energy was not a topic that energy experts have been dealing with until recently. However, rational use of energy seemed to grab the attention of the general public only after energy efficiency became a requirement for the safe life of every individual.

A more serious approach to this resource and its use was prescribed by the Law on Energy and Rational Use of Energy in 2021. The law regulates the requirements and methods of efficient use of energy and energy sources, energy efficiency measures, energy labelling and requirements regarding eco-design, as well as other issues of importance for the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons in connection with the efficient use of energy.

This law paved the way for launching projects and campaigns at various levels, from the Ministry to local self-governments and civil associations, intending to raise awareness of energy efficiency.

In terms of improving energy efficiency, households, especially residential communities pose the biggest challenge in Serbia. With that in mind, we should highlight the campaign launched this year by the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia and the American Agency for International Development (USAID), titled “Save and don’t waste energy!” The campaign aims to inform citizens about practical tips, following which they can reduce their daily energy consumption.

One of the tips refers to purchasing home appliances based on their energy class. Choosing the right device can reduce electricity consumption by about 50 per cent. In March 2021, the European Union began implementing a revised energy labelling system to facilitate and ensure that people choose a good device.

IN FOCUS:

What actually changed with the new labelling?

The problem with the old labels was that most of the products on the market were marked as the A+++, A++ or A+ class, while a smaller number fell under the B, C, D, E, F and G category. People who did not have enough knowledge about labels were convinced that by purchasing a device that belongs to one of the A classes, they were choosing an energy-efficient appliance. However, with the introduction of new designations, a large number of devices that previously belonged to one of the A classes were moved to E, F or G classes.

For potential buyers, even those who do not have enough information about the labelling, the new classification has made it more visually understandable which device they should choose so as not to make the wrong choice. According to the new labels, the devices that belong to class A save twice as much electricity and emit significantly less carbon dioxide than class G devices.

Apart from the energy class label, the new labels on devices also contain a QR code that people can use to get more information about the product and its price-efficiency ratio. All information is obtained from the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL).

In addition to the energy efficiency class and QR code, the label also provides insight into other data that differ depending on the type of device. If we take a dishwasher, for example, we can find out how much electricity is consumed using the eco-programme for 100 cycles, then the amount of water consumed per cycle of the eco-programme, or the noise level in decibels and noise level class, as well as the duration of the eco-programme and other.

Households have the largest share in the total energy consumption in the Republic of Serbia, which is about four times higher than in the European Union countries. According to data from the Ministry of Mining and Energy, only about 13 per cent of people in Serbia opt for a product based on its energy class, compared to 80 per cent of the European Union residents.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

Renewable power on course to shatter more records as countries around the world speed up deployment

02.06.2023

windmills-g6f287ffa2_1920 — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Oimheidi)

Global additions of renewable power capacity are expected to jump by a third this year as growing policy momentum, higher fossil fuel prices and energy security concerns drive strong deployment of solar PV and wind power, according to the latest update from the International Energy Agency.

The growth is set to continue next year with the world’s total renewable electricity capacity rising to 4 500 gigawatts (GW), equal to the total power output of China and the United States combined, says the IEA’s new Renewable Energy Market Update.

Global renewable capacity additions are set to soar by 107 gigawatts (GW), the largest absolute increase ever, to more than 440 GW in 2023. The dynamic expansion is taking place across the world’s major markets. Renewables are at the forefront of Europe’s response to the energy crisis, accelerating their growth there. New policy measures are also helping drive significant increases in the United States and India over the next two years. China, meanwhile, is consolidating its leading position and is set to account for almost 55 percent of global additions of renewable power capacity in both 2023 and 2024.

“Solar and wind are leading the rapid expansion of the new global energy economy. This year, the world is set to add a record-breaking amount of renewables to electricity systems – more than the total power capacity of Germany and Spain combined,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “The global energy crisis has shown renewables are critical for making energy supplies not just cleaner but also more secure and affordable – and governments are responding with efforts to deploy them faster. But achieving stronger growth means addressing some key challenges. Policies need to adapt to changing market conditions, and we need to upgrade and expand power grids to ensure we can take full advantage of solar and wind’s huge potential.”

Solar PV additions will account for two-thirds of this year’s increase in renewable power capacity and are expected to keep growing in 2024, according to the new report. The expansion of large-scale solar PV plants is being accompanied by the growth of smaller systems. Higher electricity prices are stimulating faster growth of rooftop solar PV, which is empowering consumers to slash their energy bills.

At the same time, manufacturing capacity for all solar PV production segments is expected to more than double to 1 000 GW by 2024, led by China and increasing supply diversification in the United States, India and Europe. Based on those trends, the world will have enough solar PV manufacturing capacity in 2030 to comfortably meet the level of annual demand envisaged in the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario.

Wind power additions are forecast to rebound sharply in 2023 growing by almost 70 percent year-on-year after a difficult couple of years in which growth was slugging. The faster growth is mainly due to the completion of projects that had been delayed by Covid-19 restrictions in China and by supply chain issues in Europe and the United States. However, further growth in 2024 will depend on whether governments can provide greater policy support to address challenges in terms of permitting and auction design. In contrast to solar PV, wind turbine supply chains are not growing fast enough to match accelerating demand over the medium-term. This is mainly due to rising commodity prices and supply chain challenges, which are reducing the profitability of manufacturers.

The forecast for renewable capacity additions in Europe has been revised upwards by 40 percent from before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led many countries to boost solar and wind uptake to reduce their reliance on Russian natural gas. The growth is driven by high electricity prices that have made small-scale rooftop solar PV systems more financially attractive and by increased policy support in key European markets, especially in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Newly installed solar PV and wind capacity is estimated to have saved EU electricity consumers EUR 100 billion during 2021-2023 by displacing more expensive fossil fuel generation. Wholesale electricity prices in Europe would have been eight percent higher in 2022 without the additional renewable capacity, according to the new IEA report.

While the competitiveness of wind and solar PV has improved since last year, government policies need to adapt to changing market conditions, particularly for renewable energy auctions, which were undersubscribed by a record 16 percent in 2022. Moreover, policies need to focus on timely planning and investment in grids in order to securely and cost-effectively integrate high shares of variable renewables in power systems. Multiple countries in Europe including Spain, Germany and Ireland will see wind and solar PV’s combined share of their overall annual electricity generation rise above 40 percent by 2024.

Source: IEA

BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY OF MT-KOMEX

02.06.2023

Thirty years after the company’s founding, a team of engineers and installers work on solar power plant construction projects in the former welding workshop, whose original activity is still evidenced by some exhibits and awards on the wall. They say that they readily welcomed the market boom, which is perhaps not particularly surprising if we consider that this company was a pioneer in the construction of solar power plants, which managed to set standards for the quality of equipment, service, and maintenance. Although it is clear that the field of work has changed significantly over the past decades, we wanted to find out what the development path was like and how they persevered on it. In mid-January, right at their 30th business anniversary, we spoke with Miloš Kostić, the director and owner of MT-KOMEX.

EP: With what idea was the company MT-KOMEX founded?

Miloš Kostić: My father founded MT-KOMEX on January 15, 1993, and our main activity was welding. During high school, I worked in a workshop, which directed me to enroll in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where I decided to major in process engineering. While studying, I spent every free moment in the workshop, learned from my father and other employees, and became a welding technologist. I got my first idea for business development in 2003 when I decided to prepare a small workshop service for welding tools to provide services to clients.

I received the first award in 2005 at the Welding Fair, which was held as part of the Energy Fair, as a special recognition for improving welding in Serbia. I continued to improve all segments in this business, and until 2009, I was engaged in welding when the world economic crisis began, which also affected us. That’s when I came up with the idea to transfer part of the people from welding and locksmithing to work on small hydropower plants. These jobs opened up new horizons, and I realized that the company should be redirected towards renewable energy sources. I founded the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development in 2010 because I saw that very little is known about these topics and that this should be offered to the market.

IN FOCUS:

EP: It’s a long way from welding to the first solar power plant you built in 2013. How do you feel about that development today?

Miloš Kostić: Working in the sector of renewable energy sources gave me insight into a completely unexplored and unknown area. I came up with the idea of becoming the first producer of green energy in Serbia, and that’s how the company Solaris Energy was born. Together with my partners, I started the construction of the first privately owned solar power plant in Serbia, which is located in the territory of the municipality of Kladovo. We started developing the project in 2011 in August, and at that moment, the municipality of Kladovo had a lot of understanding for us. The local self-government supported us, so they accelerated the procedures. We were the first to apply for an energy permit and the status of a privileged electricity producer. We also submitted a request for a feed-in tariff, and ProCredit Bank accompanied us in this endeavor and facilitated our capital investments.

Solar power plant Solaris has been successfully operating for nine years, we produce green energy, and our project plans have been realized. However, we wanted to go a step further, so we made Solaris the first agrosolar power plant, which means we have combined agriculture and electricity production. We did this by letting a herd of sheep graze the grass around the solar plant. The sheep enjoy the shade, good grazing is provided, and plot maintenance is no longer necessary.

EP: What is the most important thing you learned on this project?

Miloš Kostić: The development of the Solaris power plant project showed me how little was known about this in Serbia. At that time, there was no trained staff to handle these jobs. That’s exactly what gave me the idea to gather a team of engineers and provide them with training, and then we all progressed together because we trained together. Today, we have a team working on serious and largescale solar power projects. Considering all of this, it’s no surprise that we’ve readily welcomed this solar boom in our market, and I can safely say that we’re pioneers in this field. We set what the market should look like, and we set the standards when it comes to the quality of services, equipment, and maintenance.

I would like to point out one of our first jobs, the goal of which was to reduce the emission of harmful gases from wells, which we did for NIS Gazprom. We purified that gas and used it to generate electricity. Then we worked for NIS on another, for us, the most significant project. It is a wind farm with a capacity of 66 megawatts. At the same time, we worked on projects for industry and then, as now, we tried our best to inform people about the advantages of solar power plants. We gave them clear information and explained why the solar power plant is one of the energy efficiency measures without prejudice to the introduction of other measures.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

TODAY, PHOTOVOLTAICS IS CHANGING THE WORLD TO A GREAT EXTENT!

31.05.2023

Screenshot_17 — Photo: Energetik energija

To get your 2023 STORAGE GUIDE, simply subscribe to our newsletter through QR code. In field MESSAGE just write 2023 STORAGE GUIDE and you will gett soon your copy on email

The world we live in is very different from the one we lived in a few decades ago. Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists, we now have technologies, devices, and gadgets that make our everyday lives much easier. One of the most significant contributions of scientists that is currently impacting us is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through photovoltaics.

The solar industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and it is estimated that it will continue to develop in the future.

Energetik energija d.o.o. is built on twenty years of experience and passion in the field of photovoltaics. Through partnerships with the most important manufacturers of photovoltaic equipment, they can offer customers more than just a product.

“What sets us apart is not only our range of products and prices; anyone can do that. We are there for our clients when they need us the most, providing full support and offering different solutions when they need them. We serve as their warehouse when needed, understanding and meeting their specific needs. That’s why at Energetik energija, we don’t just focus on the product range; we develop tools that are essential in the rapidly changing scenario of photovoltaics and provide knowledge that can make life easier for our customers”.

Energy storage is becoming a key factor in renewable energy as it allows energy produced during the day to be stored at night or during periods of low sunlight. This technology has the potential to increase the reliability and stability of solar energy sources significantly and represents a crucial step in achieving a sustainable energy future.

In addition to webinars, educational meetings, and training, another important offering we have developed for our customers this year is the 2023 STORAGE GUIDE. It is a comprehensive document, serving as a tool and an e-book (often considered the favorite reading material of every installer, planner, company, etc.) that greatly facilitates planning and finding solutions for various projects in the short term.

As the development of photovoltaics in the Balkans is rapidly growing and the need for energy storage is an essential part of solar power plants, our 2023 STORAGE GUIDE enables every contractor, regardless of size, to present the best solution to their clients in the shortest possible time.

The 2023 STORAGE GUIDE has been translated into Serbian and is exclusively available to our subscribers. To access the manual, you simply need to sign up for our e-newsletter, and you will soon receive a link to download the file.

Source: Energetik energija

SERBIAN ATHENS IN LINE FOR THE GREEN CAPITAL OF EUROPE

31.05.2023

serbia-srbija-novi sad — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The place where European roads and railways have crossed since ancient times, better known among people as “Serbian Athens”, is adorned with a kind of classiness that is reflected in numerous cultural institutions, lowland peace, artistic sensibility, and kindness of its citizens. Last year, Novi Sad won the title of European Capital of Culture, and there is hope that it will soon be the Green Capital. We talked with the mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, about the numerous green projects that are being implemented in this city, as well as about new bridges, the Botanical Garden and the Creative District.

EP: You are committed to improving energy efficiency. What are the plans for this year?

Milan Đurić: We plan to continue implementing measures related to improving energy efficiency in 2023, and funds in the amount of 40 million dinars have been earmarked for this purpose. All the measures we undertake in cooperation with the Ministry of Mining and Energy, which are related to the improvement of energy efficiency, have been very well received by citizens.

As a strategic document, the energy efficiency program of the City of Novi Sad for 2022-2024 has a significant role in preserving and improving energy efficiency. It contains the planned goal of energy savings, an overview and assessment of annual energy needs, including an assessment of the energy properties of buildings, a proposal for measures and activities that will ensure efficient use of energy, carriers, deadlines, and an evaluation of the expected results of each of the measures that foresee the achievement of the planned goal and the funds needed for program implementation. Concrete measures and activities to improve energy efficiency are elaborated in the one-year Energy Efficiency Plan of the City of Novi Sad. Citizens’ interest indicates that they are informed about current topics and that investing in improving energy efficiency consumes less energy and does not impair the comfort of life.

IN FOCUS:

EP: How much have you managed to improve the area of waste management in the city?

Milan Đurić: The rehabilitation project of the existing unsanitary landfill/garbage dump in Novi Sad was completed, which determined its functioning until its closure and rehabilitation. With the beginning of the work of the Regional Center with the sanitary landfill, the closure of the unsanitary landfill will begin.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (lazar gugleta)

Within the project “Waste Management in the Context of Climate Change (DKTI)”, which was implemented by the City of Novi Sad and the German Organization for International Cooperation (GIZ), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, GIZ provided funds for design and construction compost field and hangar for the treatment of green waste collected from public areas. To improve the functioning of the compost field managed by PUC “Gradsko zelenilo” Novi Sad, a green waste crushing machine was purchased.

PUC “Gradsko zelenilo” annually collects about 5,000 tons of plant waste from city areas and diverts it to a compost plant instead of driving it to the landfill. Such compost is a high-quality organic fertilizer whose application is multiple in producing and maintaining greenery in public areas. Through this processing, biowaste is returned to the city when new greenery is planted, which means the previous waste received a new purpose and value. The principle of circular economy is fully satisfied.

Before the construction of the compost field, the collected plant waste from the city areas was mostly taken to the landfill. It created costs for taking waste to the landfill, and that waste produced greenhouse gas emissions at the landfills, which negatively affects the environment. Compost production saves more than half a million dinars per year due to the elimination of the costs of taking bio-waste to landfill.

EP: The City has been subsidizing the purchase of bicycles for several years. How is the plan to make Novi Sad a cycling city going?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Stefan Kostić)

Milan Đurić: The City of Novi Sad attaches great importance to the development of bicycle traffic and infrastructure and is working on adopting the best practices in this domain according to the competencies and possibilities arising from the current regulations in Serbia. In recent years, more and more people from Novi Sad have decided to use bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transportation. In addition to benefits such as avoiding traffic jams, taking care of a parking space, and saving money and time, there is certainly also the preservation of the environment, a positive impact on air quality, and a contribution to personal and collective health. The general goal of the City of Novi Sad is to be recognizable and functional as a cycling city. The city supports this both with infrastructural development and direct incentives for the purchase of bicycles, supporting promotional and educational activities in this direction and cooperation with the commercial and civil sectors, which makes it unique and a successful example in Serbia. The result of cooperation and work on the development of bicycle traffic in the past 10 years can be seen in the stable growth of the number of everyday cyclists by almost 300 per cent (from an estimated 10,000 to over 30,000 regular cyclists in 2019, while the unofficial estimate is that there are currently over 40,000 regular cyclists in the city). Then, in the past 10 years, about 30 km of bicycle paths were built, and over 10 km were reconstructed. For the allocation of grants to citizens, in 2021 and 2022, the city allocated 38 million dinars through three contests for citizens. Today there are around 3,406 new bicycles on the streets of the city. With the support of socially responsible companies, in 2021 and 2022, 114 bicycles were awarded to the best elementary and high school students. The plan is to continue this activity in the coming years. Also, Novi Sad is the first and only city in Serbia that will encourage its citizens to buy bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transport for the third year in a row. In 2023, 20 million dinars have been earmarked for citizens’ support in purchasing a new bicycle. In collecting information, the city regularly cooperates with the civil sector, including the organization Novi Sad’s Bicycle Initiative.

EP: In which direction will you direct the investments intended for environmental protection?

Milan Đurić: Nature in the city is extremely important for maintaining human contact with it and is necessary for creating a healthy and sustainable urban society. The city will allocate significant funds in 2023 for the maintenance of existing greenery and the planting of new tree seedlings, shrubs and feathers, flower beds and the reconstruction of lawns to preserve and improve vegetation in the City of Novi Sad territory. Bearing in mind the importance of parks, two new parks were formed and arranged in the previous period: Park near the Ranžirna station and St. Andrew’s Park. The design and technical documentation for the park near SPENS is in progress, while the design and technical documentation for the University Park in Novi Sad is planned for 2023.

Project and technical documentation for constructing the Botanical Garden complex in Novi Sad are also being prepared. The botanical garden will be built on about 4.2 hectares in the suburbs of the Petrovaradin fortress and will be conceived as an object of special importance. With the aim of forming an information base through which trends and activities related to the arrangement, maintenance and improvement of green areas will be monitored, in 2020/21, the creation of the Geographical Information System of Green Areas of the City of Novi Sad was successfully implemented. It represents the first step in forming the Cadaster of Greenery, and now we have to fill that database by entering attributes for each individual or green area. Only when all the data are entered can we talk about the greenery cadaster as a basis for the management of public green areas.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

MAINTAINING THE BALANCE AND DEVELOPING THE POWER SYSTEM

30.05.2023

marko janković — Photo: courtesy of Marko Janković

Earlier this year, electricity prices in the region and Europe were at the level from two years ago, but this was not a sign of the easing of the energy crisis, but a direct consequence of non-working days in companies. Unfortunately, the high prices trend has been going on for too long, making the talk about an energy crisis almost redundant. We spoke with Marko Janković, Director of the Electricity Market Directorate of Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), about the development of the electricity market in new circumstances and the opportunities for establishing a flexibility and electricity storage service market.

EP: In which way will the adapted EU regulations of the third and fourth energy package, adopted in December at the Energy Community’s Ministerial Council session, affect the further development of the electricity market in Serbia?

Marko Janković: Serbia’s electric power system is part of the European interconnection, that is, EMS AD Belgrade is a member of the Association of European Transmission System Operators. The transposition of these regulations means harmonizing the legal framework of non-EU countries with the European legislation that regulates the energy sector in Europe, the European electricity market, and, therefore, the work within the European interconnection. The transposition of the adapted decrees into our legislation and the implementation of the processes and standards defined in the aforementioned decrees must be carried out while being mindful of the technical features of our energy sector. With the adoption of these regulations, there is a possibility now for the merger of the organized electricity market in Serbia with the single European organized market. It will bring stability in terms of electricity prices, making the electricity market in Serbia less volatile and susceptible to speculative actions.

Another benefit of transposing EU legislation into national legislation is the opportunity of integrating the national electricity balancing market into a single European balancing market. Thanks to its proactive approach, EMS became a full-fledged member of one of the four European balancing platforms – the International Grid Control Cooperation – IGCC platform (the unique European platform for imbalance netting) in 2022. The benefit of participating in the IGCC platform is certainly the reduction of the activation of the balance reserve, which makes the operations of the Serbian electric power system more reliable and safer. On the other hand, we have lower balancing costs, which automatically benefits participants in the electricity market in Serbia.

IN FOCUS:

EP: There are more and more requests for connection to renewable energy sources transmission and distribution systems, primarily solar power plants and wind farms. How should we handle this integration?

Marko Janković: The integration of RES must be based on the market principles because we assumed this obligation by transposing European regulations. Europe has long since taken a position on the issue of further integration of RES. Incentives for RES producers are definitely decreasing, and the incentives are mostly aimed at using small power renewable energy sources. Also, there is a growing trend in Europe to direct incentives towards new technologies, primarily electricity storage – green hydrogen and various types of batteries that will enable intermittent sources of electricity to be more easily integrated into the energy sector and the electricity market.

EP: It seems that this integration is not at all an easy task for the energy system.

Marko Janković: For the energy sector, the integration of intermittent RES represents both an opportunity and a threat. First, it must be viewed through the filter of the impact of a large amount of unmanageable production on the balancing of an electric power system. We all know that maintaining the system’s balance is the primary goal and that only in this way can we ensure that all system users can perform their activities without problems. That is why we need to have a clear plan for the integration of RES into an electric power system with, first and foremost, defined preventive measures that would mitigate the negative effects of connecting many intermittent electricity sources. These measures must ensure sufficient base power in the system, which is necessary to integrate intermittent RES. It can be achieved by building new conventional sources of electricity, primarily reversible plants, for which Serbia has the potential, but also by integrating alternative sources such as electricity storage (be it a battery or green hydrogen), as well as taking active participation in manageable consumption through the development of the flexibility service market.

EP: There is a lot of talk about distributed production and flexibility services. Could you elaborate on these new concepts?

Marko Janković: Given the constant increase in distributed electricity from distribution resources, especially RES and other electricity sources (electricity storage), as well as the increasingly frequent inclusion of end customers as active participants in the market in terms of manageable consumption, the key issue of further market development is how to integrate the distribution system users into the electricity market. The answer lies in the flexibility concept. We should also not forget electromobility, the influence of electric car chargers and electric cars on the distribution system’s operation, as well as their role in the future electricity market. Flexibility implies the ability to deliberate, i.e. intentional deviation from the planned (usual) model of consumption or production. In other words, flexibility is the ability of a system user to deviate from its planned electricity consumption (or production) profile in response to price signals or market incentives.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

TAKE ME AWAY…

28.05.2023

preuzimanje decijih stvari — Photo: ''Take away''

About 2.1 billion metric tons of solid waste are produced on Earth annually, of which 16 per cent is recycled. Unfortunately, as much as 46 per cent of global waste ends up in illegal landfills, in water or is burned. The fact that the situation in Serbia is not any better should not be emphasized. In our country, the amount of produced waste has doubled in the last ten years, and less than 10 per cent is recycled.

Fortunately, there are more and more individuals who have a clear picture of the current situation in the recycling field and society as a whole. Thanks to their excellent ideas, they offer us a solution to certain problems. Jelena Vidanović, project manager of the humanitarian service “Take away”, is trying to solve the problems of waste disposal and environmental protection in a unique way, but also to find an effective way to reduce the level of poverty of citizens, giving the incentive to employ people who do not have qualifications to work.

Humanitarian service “Take away” is a part of the project “Business instead of garbage” implemented by the Republican Union of Collectors of Secondary Raw Materials within the program “Support of the Swiss Government to the development of municipalities through the improvement of good governance and social inclusion – Swiss PRO”. The Government of Switzerland provides the main support in cooperation with the Government of Serbia. The program is implemented by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).

IN FOCUS:

“We believed that every problem is solvable and that we can and must turn detected irregularities into an opportunity that should be used to improve the socioeconomic condition primarily of all marginalized groups of citizens”, explains Vidaković.

Analyzing the current situation, Vidaković concludes that a large amount of communal waste is generated in the household. That waste often ends up next to street containers and in illegal landfills. What citizens define as waste are often actually things or raw materials that can be further used or recycled.

“By primary selection according to the ‘take it from the doorstep of the waste generator’ system, we prevent a large amount of valuable resources from ending up in the landfill. On the other hand, in the interaction with the citizens at the doorstep, the level of environmental awareness can be raised. Our experiences have shown that the concept of waste is relative and is closely related to the degree of the economic status of the individual and the degree of development of environmental awareness. Namely, in practice, it happens that, for example, a certain number of people want to get rid of a piece of furniture, textiles, or an outdated electrical device. While on the other hand, we have a poor group of people who would benefit from it to improve their poor living conditions. By taking over unnecessary things directly from the owner, we ensure the reuse of things, that is, we prevent them from becoming waste”, Vidaković points out.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT – ORGANELA

27.05.2023

The example of Pavle Đorđević shows that childhood dreams can come true. As a boy, he dreamed of having his piece of land where he would grow fruits and vegetables, where he would be able to enjoy the peace and be with nature and in nature. Today, this native of Belgrade practices organic farming on his property in Valjevska Kamenica.

Even as a student at the Faculty of Agriculture, Pavle Đorđević was making plans and developing ideas, but he could not have guessed that he would grow organic fruits and vegetables under his brand on four hectares of his land.

“I was lucky enough to come across an ad in 2017 that brought me to Valjevska Kamenica, a village located fifteen kilometers from Valjevo. As soon as I set foot on the then-abandoned farm, it was love at first sight,” explains Pavle.

The first step was to buy the property; the more difficult step came when he had to get the property in order. It took a lot of effort and work to reconstruct the farm and restore it to its former glory. Fortunately, none of that was difficult for Pavle because he finally had everything he dreamed of as a boy.

IN FOCUS:

He was soon joined by agronomists Miloš and Pavle, architect Teodora, neighbor Ljilja, who helps with work on the farm, and Stefan, a graduate in economics. They make up the young team of Organela, which is united by a great love for nature.

“We deal with certified organic production of fruits and vegetables, and this year we organized and improved our processing. On the Organela estate are meadows and orchards, a small lake, and a micro botanical garden where we planted indigenous plants from our region. We pay great attention to the preservation of soil, water, and biodiversity because this is the only way we can preserve nature and improve it”, our interlocutor says honestly.

How does Organela function?

Anyone who wants products from this estate can order them by simply visiting the Organela website. The fruits are picked in the morning and delivered in the afternoon to home addresses in Belgrade and Valjevo. Pavle says they avoid sending to courier services, so they deliver the packages themselves. They are thinking about expanding delivery to other cities, but they lack the logistics for now. However, everyone who would like to enjoy the flavors of organic food can personally come to the farm and pick everything they want.

Pavle and his team also offer the option of service food growing. The process works like this: you get a plot of land on the property where you can grow whatever you want.

“Before the start of the season, we agree on which species you want us to grow and in what quantity. When the ripening season begins, we pick the fruits and deliver them to your home address. This service is currently only available to our regular customers. The user of the garden pays for this service monthly. Our goal is to offer the end customer the organic products he wants at a more favorable price”, says Pavle.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS.

Food Price Inflation Escalates Global Hunger Crisis

26.05.2023

italian-cuisine-g62a6d4d34_1920 — Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (lukasbieri)

Global food price inflation continues to soar, causing significant concern about the escalation of food insecurity across the world. As much as 78.6 percent of high-income nations are experiencing high food price inflation. African countries, North and Latin American nations, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia are among the hardest hit.

Agricultural indices show a rise in the prices of essential crops such as maize, wheat, and rice over the past two weeks. Despite year-on-year reductions for maize and wheat of 22 percent and 41 percent respectively, their prices are still elevated, according to data by the World Bank. In contrast, rice prices are 14 percent higher compared to the previous year.

There exists a high probability of an El Niño pattern developing, affecting global agricultural production. This weather pattern could lead to average to above-average rainfall in some regions, creating favorable conditions for soybean production but potentially harming maize, rice, and wheat yields.

The Global Report on Food Crises 2023, from the Global Network Against Food Crises, alarmingly notes an increase in acute food insecurity from 192.8 million people in 2021 to 257.8 million in 2022. Key causes include conflicts, economic shocks, and weather extremes, with conflict and insecurity being primary drivers.

Specifically, in Sudan, some reports say that around 41 percent of the population, or 19 million people, struggle to find a daily meal, a number up from 15 million last year. The ongoing violence in Sudan is likely to further exacerbate regional food insecurity.

Meanwhile, the war in Eastern Europe has spurred countries to implement food trade restrictions in an attempt to increase domestic supplies and control prices, worsening the global food crisis. As of mid-March 2023, 21 countries have implemented food export bans, while 10 countries have put in place measures limiting food exports.

In response, the World Bank launched a comprehensive global action plan to tackle the crisis, committing $30 billion to boost food and nutrition security, reduce risks, and strengthen food systems. Numerous projects have been initiated, notably in West Africa, Yemen, Tajikistan, Jordan, Bolivia, Chad, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Tunisia, and regions in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The heads of key global institutions issued a joint statement in February 2023 calling for urgent actions to prevent a worsening of the food and nutrition security crisis. Urgent interventions must be balanced with longer-term resilience efforts to adequately address this pressing global challenge.

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