Save Gas for a Safe Winter: Commission Proposes Gas Demand Reduction Plan to Prepare EU for Supply Cuts

22.07.2022

gas_pipeline_gasovod — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Quinten de Graaf)

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Carl Nenzen Loven)

The European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin’s weaponisation of gas exports, with almost half of our Member States already affected by reduced deliveries. Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European energy resilience.

The Commission is therefore proposing a new legislative tool and a European Gas Demand Reduction Plan, to reduce gas use in Europe by 15 per cent until next spring. All consumers, public administrations, households, owners of public buildings, power suppliers and industry can and should take measures to save gas. The Commission will also accelerate work on supply diversification, including joint purchasing of gas to strengthen the EU’s possibility of sourcing alternative gas deliveries.

The Commission is proposing a new Council Regulation on Coordinated Demand Reduction Measures for Gas, based on Article 122 of the Treaty. The new Regulation would set a target for all Member States to reduce gas demand by 15 per cent between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The new Regulation would also give the Commission the possibility to declare, after consulting Member States, a ‘Union Alert’ on security of supply, imposing a mandatory gas demand reduction on all Member States. The Union Alert can be triggered when there is a substantial risk of a severe gas shortage or an exceptionally high gas demand. Member States should update their national emergency plans by the end of September to show how they intend to meet the reduction target, and should report to the Commission on progress every two months. Member States requesting solidarity gas supplies will be required to demonstrate the measures they have taken to reduce demand domestically.

Energy saved in summer is energy available for winter

By substituting gas with other fuels and saving energy this summer, more gas can be stored for winter. Acting now will reduce the negative GDP impact, by avoiding unplanned actions in a crisis situation later. Early steps also spread out the efforts over time, ease market concerns and price volatility, and allow for a better design of targeted, cost-effective measures protecting industry.

Source: European Commission

WMO Has no Immediate Plans to Name Heatwaves

21.07.2022

sun-sunce-klimatske-promene — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The top priority of the World Meteorological Organization and its Members is to save lives through accurate forecasts and early warnings. A very successful example of this, in recent years, is improvements in Heat-Health Early Warnings and Heat Action plans, underpinned by strong collaborations between the meteorological, health, disaster management, and scientific communities.

WMO is aware of the current interest in developing heatwave ranking and naming systems. As the UN specialized agency responsible for weather, climate, and water, the WMO exercises a leadership role in coordinating globally recognized extreme weather naming conventions. The WMO Services Commission is therefore currently considering the advantages and disadvantages of naming heatwaves.

There is currently no agreed international system or protocol for naming or coordinating the naming of heatwave events. International and regional naming protocols are used to support risk management of different types of storms, including tropical cyclones. Storm naming protocols and agreed intergovernmental coordination mechanisms are required to prevent misnaming and to coordinate the naming of transboundary or regional scale events.

However, what has been established for tropical cyclone events may not necessarily translate easily across to heatwaves. Caution should be exercised when comparing or applying lessons or protocols from one hazard type to another, due to the important differences in the physical nature and impacts of storms and heatwaves.

A heat wave is broadly defined as a period of statistically unusual hot weather persisting for a number of days and nights. Indices based on local climatological conditions are used to objectively characterize and declare a heat wave. In most countries only designated national agencies, such as weather services or public health agencies, have the national responsibility to issue official heat warnings. Independent practices to rank and name heatwaves which are not coordinated with the official warning systems, may risk disrupting civil protection protocols and coordination efforts, bring unintended negative consequences, or reduce the effectiveness of established heat advisory and response measures. Coordination of “pilot heatwave naming” activities with the official heat advisory systems in a country is suggested to prevent any confusion and interference with existing public messaging and designated operational procedures and protocols.

Heatwaves can be forecast up to 10 days in advance in many areas (mainly extra-tropics and high latitudes) but lack skill at 3-day lead-times in many regions (mainly tropics). Forecast-based naming creates additional challenges that named events might not actually take place, might turn out to be less severe, or occur in different localities. This could potentially undermine any benefits of raised awareness through naming and create false alarms.

To protect communities from avoidable heat related illness the public should be aware of actions to take during extreme heat events, as well as recognize their personal vulnerability factors, such as age, medications, or medical conditions which can make prolonged exposure to heat even below heatwave thresholds also deadly.

Studies show heat-related illness and death are also strongly associated with ‘mild’ hot days, occurring outside declared heatwave events, including hot nights, prolonged occupational heat exposures, and exertional heat stress.

WMO, working with the relevant partners, will continue to support the development of heat early warning systems, including the update of extreme heat-related guidance and associated extreme heat risk communication strategies.

For further information on heat-health issues, consult the Global Heat Health Information Network, which is co-sponsored by WMO, WHO, and US NOAA and brings together the meteorological, health, and scientific communities.

Source: WMO

We are not Alone on the Path to Green Transformation

20.07.2022

Less developed countries are torn between the struggle to preserve energy stability and the domestic economy on the one hand and the pressures imposed by the global energy transition on the other. The main reason for their inability to keep pace with the rest of the world is the lack of financial resources, so achieving carbon neutrality in underdeveloped countries largely depends on advisory, moral and financial support.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) actively finances projects that contribute to climate change mitigation worldwide and thus represents one of the pillars of global green transformation. We talked about the EIB’s strategy and mission and their activities in the Western Balkans and our country with Alessandro Bragonzi, Head of the EIB Regional Office for the Western Balkans.

EP: The European Investment Bank is one of the main financiers of projects contributing to the fight against climate change. What kind of projects are we talking about, and in which countries are you implementing projects?

Alessandro Bragonzi: Under our Climate Bank Roadmap 2021-2025 adopted in 2020, the EIB has made a commitment to directing 50 percent of its lending to climate action and environmental sustainability by 2025. This goal was already achieved last year when we allocated EUR 27.6 billion to climate action globally, which represents 51 percent of our financing volume.

We have aligned all our activities with the Paris Agreement goals, confirming our role as a leader in climate financing. We plan to help mobilize EUR 1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability projects over the current decade. On the mitigation side, for example, there is a need for energy efficiency investments to reduce energy poverty in Europe or support for low-carbon public transport designed with the travel needs of different socio-economic groups, women and men in mind. Targeted investments in renewable energy – both on and off-grid – can support the 1.1 billion people that today lack access to electricity while tackling related gender inequalities.

Let me mention a few of the concrete climate projects the EIB is supporting across the globe. Together with the World Bank, we are implementing the City Climate Finance Gap Fund, which helps cities plan projects that cut emissions and improve daily life in urban areas. Also, Western Balkans’ cities benefit from this valuable technical assistance. In Uganda, the EIB is financing the distribution of 240 000 solar power systems for homes. Thanks to this investment, over a million people across the country will get electricity for the first time to power mobile phones, provide light and make cooking easier. A EUR 280 million EIB loan is enabling ArcelorMittal to develop steel production methods that reduce emissions and help the environment in several EU countries. We support forest renewal in Latin America through the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund, which manages 500 000 hectares of land sustainably. The EIB is financing Europe’s first floating wind farm off the coast of Portugal, towering 210 metres above the North Atlantic. An impressive feat of engineering, the three turbines generate enough electricity for 60 000 households, saving an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 a year. Details of the Bank’s activities in the sector and highlights of key projects are publicly available. The most recent example is the Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability Overview 2022, published in March.

In focus:

EP: The goal of the European Investment Bank is to make Europe a carbon-neutral continent by 2050. Is the same goal achievable for the Western Balkans countries since fossil fuels will have priority over renewable energy sources for a long time to come?

Alessandro Bragonzi: Under the European Green Deal, greenhouse gas emissions will need to be reduced by 55 percent by 2030. Carbon pricing, a cornerstone of Europe’s energy transition, will continue to play a key role, including through the extension of the EU ETS emissions trading scheme to new sectors. Inevitably, these developments will affect the EU acquis, a precondition for Candidate Countries in the Western Balkans to move forward with their EU accession process.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Alex Blokstra)

However, several countries in the Western Balkans still heavily rely on coal/lignite for power production, despite deteriorating air quality, adverse health effects and significant untapped potential for renewable energy. Serbia, for instance, has made significant progress, particularly in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, thanks to the adoption of new laws. The country has implemented a market-based support scheme via the newly adopted Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources. However, we are still waiting to adopt Serbia’s National Energy and Climate Plan, which clearly spells out its decarbonization commitments and pathway. The Western Balkans, in part of EIB goals to make a Just Transition. It needs our strong support to gradually move away from coal and increase the share of energy from renewables.

EP: How much has the EIB allocated so far for the Western Balkans, and which projects are key to decarbonizing this part of Europe? Alessandro Bragonzi: Since 2009, the EIB has invested close to EUR 9.5 billion in the Western Balkans. Our goal is to support sustainable economic development and the EU integration process by improving living and business conditions for people across the region in terms of transport, water accessibility, energy supply, education, and healthcare quality. Regarding climate goals, we are supporting the public and private sectors. For example, we launched a dedicated credit line in 2021 to encourage SMEs to adopt climate and energy-efficient projects and practices, enabling a faster transition to a sustainable and circular economy.

In Serbia, together with the EU Delegation, UNDP, Sweden, and the Serbian government, we are helping Serbian companies, and local self-governments implement environmentally friendly projects to reduce the carbon footprint and pollutant emissions, waste and air pollution and help protect biodiversity and the ecosystem.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are providing technical support for preparing the Vlašić renewable energy project, which will facilitate the construction of a 50 MW wind farm in the Travnik region. Thanks to these efforts, the country can boost its energy supply, increase power generation from renewable resources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thus stimulating sustainable growth. At the same time, we are investing in large-scale projects that help reduce CO2 emissions, such as modernization of railways, improvement of inland waterways along the Sava and Danube rivers and the upgrade of urban transport in Sarajevo and Niš. These investments will enable a gradual shift in passenger behavior from private to public and more climate-friendly modes of transportation.

Interviewed by: Milena Maglovski

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

UK Government Boosts Space Tech Funding To Cut Carbon Emissions And Improve Energy Security

20.07.2022

Funding for pioneering new space technologies will help to cut carbon emissions, improve energy security and enhance the UK’s reputation as a science superpower, the Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng announced today.

Three million pounds of grant funding will be made available for space-based solar power (SBSP) projects that collect the Sun’s energy using solar panels orbiting the Earth and can deliver clean energy, day and night, unaffected by the weather.

The technology has the potential to boost energy security by providing reliable, affordable alternative to expensive and volatile fossil fuels, while reducing the UK’s contributions to climate change.

Grant funding will also be made available for cutting-edge weather monitoring sensors to aid more accurate weather forecasts. The sensors will be put into orbit for the first time, thanks to a partnership with data and analytics company Spire Global.

The Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS), developed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space, will help meteorological agencies and businesses around the world involved with planning, shipping and flood warnings. It is four times more powerful than the sensors used on existing satellites.

In a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to the sector, Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris will serve as the first ever National Space Champion. He will work closely with industry to ensure the UK’s space sector continues to grow, attract investment, and develop innovative products. Morris is a longstanding advocate for the UK space industry and chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Space.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

,,Space-based solar power could provide an affordable, clean and reliable source of energy for the whole world to benefit from, helping the move away from expensive fossil fuels. Today’s investment is an exciting example of how we can go even further in our ambitions to make the UK a science superpower.”

,,I am also delighted that the HYMS technology, developed in Oxfordshire, will be put into service by Spire Global to help improve weather forecasting.”

,,These projects are major milestones for our National Space Strategy, developing the UK’s space capabilities while boosting the economy and delivering high-skill jobs.”

National Space Champion David Morris MP said:

,,It is a privilege to be asked to be the first UK National Space Champion and the appointment shows the government’s commitment to the sector and its commitment to its growth.”

,,The UK space sector is fast becoming a world leader and I look forward to being a champion for the industry within government to ensure we are able to spearhead the industry to even further growth.”

An independent report found significant commercial potential in developing SBSP’s underlying technologies as products in their own right – particularly with regards to wireless power transmission and solar power.

Similarly, the HYMS occupies a footprint fifty times smaller than current technology, which makes it possible to launch dozens of HYMS-equipped satellites, together forming a constellation that can track fast moving extreme weather events such as hurricanes.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:

,,Satellite technology is helping us solve some of the most significant challenges we face. We’re working with the space sector to drive innovation, catalyse investment and bring tangible benefits to people and businesses across the UK.”

,,As these two new projects show, space is not only vital in helping us monitor the weather and our environment, it can also provide new solutions to our future energy needs and support the global fight against climate change.”

,,I would like also like to welcome the appointment of a National Space Champion and I look forward to working with David Morris to support our growing sector.”

The UK space sector employs around 47,000 people directly around the UK and supports around 190,000 jobs in the supply chain. By building on the commitments of the National Space Strategy to grow the economy and lead pioneering scientific discovery, these two projects will help to protect and grow these high-quality jobs across the country for generations to come.

Notes to editors

-HYMS was developed by RAL Space, the UK’s national space laboratory, at Harwell Space Cluster in Oxfordshire, with GBP 600,000 funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) National Space Innovation Programme.

-The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) RAL Space will work with data and analytics company Spire Global to prepare HYMS for deployment in space, with the long-term objective of providing a full constellation of satellites.

-Work will be carried out both in Oxfordshire, at RAL Space, and in Glasgow where Spire Global has its UK headquarters and satellite manufacturing facility. The space industry supported 8,440 jobs in Scotland in 2020, almost a fifth of the total 46,995 jobs in the space industry across the whole of the UK. The UK space sector generates an income of GBP 16.5 billion a year. Scotland will also host the UK’s first vertical small satellite launches next year, from the SaxaVord and Sutherland spaceports.

-STFC is part of UK Research Innovation.

-More information on the Space Based Solar Power concept can be found in the report Space based solar power: de-risking the pathway to net zero, commissioned by BEIS. Funding for the SBSP Innovation Programme has been made available from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

-David Morris has been the Member of Parliament for Morecambe and Lunesdale since 2010. He has previously served as a member of the Commons Science and Technology Committee and was the government’s ambassador for freelancers and the self-employed (2014-2016). He was appointed an Assistant Government Whip in July 2022, and currently chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Lancashire.

Source: GOV.UK

Montenegro Introduces Auctions for Renewable Energy Sources

19.07.2022

windpark_vetropark — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (American Public Power Association)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Bill-Mead)

Montenegro plans to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix with a comprehensive programme of renewable energy auctions that will bring private investment into the sector.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is helping the Ministry of Capital Investments of Montenegro to implement the programme with dedicated technical assistance, financed by grants from the EBRD, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance through the High-Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA) and Italy through the Central European Initiative (CEI).

The aim is to assist Montenegro in boosting the use of clean energy and in building a sustainable and diversified power sector by creating an enabling business environment for private investment. The country, which has strong wind and solar energy potential, will be able to benefit from these resources at competitive prices.

The programme, which was presented in Podgorica, will first support the authorities in developing a comprehensive legal framework in the form of a new renewable energy law that will lay the foundation for accelerating the growth of renewable energy sources. This will be followed by support for the design and implementation of a competitive bidding process to award market-based support for renewable electricity generators.

Remon Zakaria, Head of the EBRD in Montenegro, said: “We are very pleased to support the introduction of best international standards for scaling up renewable energy investments in the country. By reforming the energy sector, Montenegro will be able to harvest its rich sources of renewable energy and positively contribute to the environment and the economy.”

“Considering that our country has significant potential for renewable energy, such as hydro, wind, solar energy and biomass, our priority was and remains the production of renewable, clean energy. We want to turn climate and environmental challenges into our opportunities and competitive advantages, by ensuring a fair and inclusive transition towards climate neutrality. In line with its priorities in energy sector, Montenegro will continue activities to ensure secure energy supply, the development of a competitive energy market and sustainable energy development, with active cooperation with everyone who has the same goals,” said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Capital Investments Ervin Ibrahimović.

The majority of electricity in Montenegro is produced at the Pljevlja lignite-fired thermal power plant and the Perucica and Piva hydropower plants. Competitive procurement processes for renewables will allow the country to increase its share of solar and wind projects and decrease its reliance on coal.

In addition to environmental benefits, boosting investments in renewables could potentially help the country diversify its economy, which currently relies heavily on tourism. The existing underwater electricity cable that connects Montenegro with Italy, as well as other interconnections with neighbouring countries, could help position the country as clean energy exporter.

The EBRD has been supporting Montenegro in developing a sustainable and diversified energy sector through policy dialogue, technical assistance and investment. To date, the EBRD has invested more than 700 million euros in the country.

Source: EBRD

Mihajlovic: Those Who Shut Down Serbian Energy Industry Put us in a Situation Where We Depend on One Gas Supplier

19.07.2022

power-poles-energetika — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlovic, said today that those who fought for nothing to change in Serbian energy sector and for it to remain closed, have put Serbia in a position where today it depends on one supplier.

“Having only one supplier, no matter who it is, is the biggest mistake for any economy, let alone for small economies when it comes to energy security. It is not the first time that they have attacked my knowledge and work because I tell the truth about Serbia’s gas security and because I point out the possibilities for the development of Serbian energy. For those who wanted to close Serbia, attack is always the best defense. But let’s wait for September of next year and for the gas pipeline to be completed, and I believe that we will have a contract with Azerbaijan much earlier”, said Mihajlovic, answering questions from journalists while visiting the construction site of Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnection.

When she was asked about the attacks in media because of Nis-Dimitrovgrad project, she stated that as long as the gas interconnection project exists, there have been stories about how Serbia cannot get gas in that direction, that there is not enough of it or that we do not need it.

“The gas we receive from the Russian Federation is not disputed, but due to the economy of Serbia and the citizens who use gas, we have to be safe, and that means having other suppliers. I believe that we will build other interconnections, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, we are thinking about interconnection with Croatia, because only a region connected by gas pipelines can be energy safe”, she said.

She added that she expects Serbia to have sufficient quantities of gas for this winter through the contract with “Gazprom”, in warehouses in Hungary and from the Serbian part of the warehouse in Banatski Dvor, but that it is important to build not only new interconnections, but also new warehouses. “The plan is to build a new warehouse that will only be owned by Serbia, in Itebej or at another location, whose capacity would be one billion cubic meters, and the value of the investment is estimated at around 200 million euros,” said Mihajlovic.

She also stated that she hopes that the countries through which Serbia is supplied, primarily Bulgaria and Hungary, will respect their contractual obligations, but that the country also has prepared crisis plans in case of unforeseen situations.

Source: Ministry of energy and mining

Renewable Power Remains Cost-Competitive amid Fossil Fuel Crisis

18.07.2022

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (NIcholas Doherty)

Costs for renewables continued to fall in 2021 as supply chain challenges and rising commodity prices have yet to show their full impact on project costs. The cost of electricity from onshore wind fell by 15 per cent, offshore wind by 13 per cent and solar PV by 13 per cent compared to 2020.

Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2021, published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today, shows that almost two-thirds or 163 GW of newly installed renewable power in 2021 had lower costs than the world’s cheapest coal-fired option in the G20. IRENA estimates that, given the current high fossil fuel prices, the renewable power added in 2021 saves around USD 55 billion from global energy generation costs in 2022.

IRENA’s new report confirms the critical role that cost-competitive renewables play in addressing today’s energy and climate emergencies by accelerating the transition in line with the 1.5°C warming limit and the Paris Agreement goals. Solar and wind energy, with their relatively short project lead times, represent vital planks in countries’ efforts to swiftly reduce, and eventually phase out, fossil fuels and limit the macroeconomic damages they cause in pursuit of net zero.

“Renewables are by far the cheapest form of power today,” Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA said. “2022 is a stark example of just how economically viable new renewable power generation has become. Renewable power frees economies from volatile fossil fuel prices and imports, curbs energy costs and enhances market resilience – even more so if today’s energy crunch continues.”

“While a temporary crisis response might be necessary in the current situation, excuses to soften climate goals will not hold mid-to-long-term. Today’s situation is a devastating reminder that renewables and energy saving are the future. With the COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE ahead, renewables provide governments with affordable energy to align with net zero and turn their climate promises into concrete action with real benefits for people on the ground,” he added.

Investments in renewables continue to pay huge dividends in 2022, as highlighted by IRENA’s costs data. In non-OECD countries, the 109 GW of renewable energy additions in 2021 that cost less than the cheapest new fossil fuel-fired option will reduce costs by at least USD 5.7 billion annually for the next 25-30 years.

High coal and fossil gas prices in 2021 and 2022 will also profoundly deteriorate the competitiveness of fossil fuels and make solar and wind even more attractive. With an unprecedented surge in European fossil gas prices for example, new fossil gas generation in Europe will increasingly become uneconomic over its lifetime, increasing the risk of stranded assets.

Source: IRENA

Energy Community Power System Can Support at Least 30 GW of Renewables Without Additional Investments Into Flexibility

17.07.2022

wind_energy_vetroenergija — Photo-illustration: Unsplah (Karsten Wurth)

As the energy transition advances in the Energy Community Contracting Parties, the share of power generation from variable renewables such as wind and solar will increase manyfold.

The Energy Community power system with currently planned investments until 2030 can integrate as much as 30 GW of variable renewables without additional investments into flexibility sources, reveals an Energy Community study. Higher levels of variable renewables will require a more flexible power system to balance supply with demand, but investments will be substantially lower if existing cross-border infrastructure is better utilized and short-term electricity markets are operational and coupled with the EU.

“The energy transition is irreversible and today’s study shows that nothing should stand in the way of more renewables. Against the background of the energy crisis, we must look for cost-effective solutions to unlock higher renewables potential. Further electricity market integration is the clear way forward”, director Lorkowski said.

The study assesses the flexibility needs and options to balance each Contracting Party’s power system on different time-scales (daily, weekly and annual) until 2030 and 2040 under different assumptions mainly linked to the speed of renewables uptake and level of market integration.

It identified that there will be no need for additional investments into flexibility sources until 2030 when variable renewables (wind and solar) might reach 30 GW. The study underscored the pivotal role of cross-border interconnectors and market coupling in providing the flexibility needed to enable higher penetration of renewables and decarbonisation in the Energy Community. Annualised investment needs/costs between 2030 and 2040 into additional flexibility sources will drop by as much as EUR 150 million if organised spot (day-ahead and intra-day) and balancing markets are coupled between the Contracting Parties and with the EU. Market integration will also allow the absorption of an additional 5 TWh per year of variable renewable production from the EU that would otherwise be curtailed.

The study concludes by setting out policy and regulatory recommendations to minimize overall system costs, including on energy sector governance, electricity market design, renewable energy development and carbon pricing. The Contracting Parties are recommended to define a flexibility strategy as part of their National Energy and Climate Plans.

The study was prepared by Trinomics and Artelys consultancies.

Source: Energy Community

Five Threats To the Water That Sustains our Farms

16.07.2022

lastic-smeće-voda — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Since the 1950s, innovations like synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides and high-yield cereals have helped humanity dramatically increase the amount of food it grows. But those inventions would be moot without agriculture’s most precious commodity: fresh water. And it, say researchers, is now under threat.

Pollution, climate change and over-abstraction are beginning to compromise the lakes, rivers, and aquifers that underpin farming globally. That is raising the spectre of widespread food shortages – a situation made worse by the Ukraine crisis.

“For two-plus generations, now, humanity has lived in a relative time of plenty,” said Leticia Carvalho, head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Marine and Freshwater Branch. “But we’re undermining the freshwater resources that make it possible for us to grow crops. And if we keep doing that, the consequences could be severe.”

The amount of fresh water per capita has fallen by 20 percent over the last two decades and nearly 60 percent of irrigated cropland is water-stressed, says the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The implications of those shortages are far-reaching: irrigated agriculture contributes 40 percent of total food produced worldwide.

Here’s a closer look at what is behind the decline of the world’s per capita freshwater reserves and how those challenges are affecting farmers.

Drought and aridification

Research shows that global warming is sparking longer-lasting droughts, like the record-setting dry spells that have gripped East Africa and the Western United States. This, say experts, is a prime example of climate change in the flesh.

According to the Global Land Outlook, a report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, over one-third of the world’s population currently lives in water-scarce regions.

At the same time, global warming has been blamed for increasingly severe flooding, as seen recently in India and Bangladesh, with dire consequences for farmers.

Mismanagement of groundwater

Groundwater supplies 43 percent of the water used for irrigation. But improvements in drilling technology over the last few decades have led to its unsustainable extraction in parts of the world, such as India.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 10 percent of the global grain harvest is being produced by depleting groundwater resources.

Sound management practices and technological advancements, like drip irrigation, can lessen the pressure on groundwater reserves, say experts.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Angela Compagnone)

Saltwater intrusion

Intensive irrigation can lead to a rise in the water table, siphoning salt into the soil and the roots of plants, affecting their growth.

As well, the overuse of groundwater can combine with climate-change-induced sea-level rise to cause saltwater to penetrate coastal groundwater aquifers. This can damage crops and their yields and affect drinking water supplies.

UNEP estimates that around one-tenth of rivers around the world are affected by salinity pollution.

Pollution

In some arid areas, there has been an increase in the amount of wastewater used to grow crops. Pathogens in that water can cause cholera or diarrhoea, though farmers are often not aware of those potential consequences. (Washing or boiling vegetables greatly reduces the risk of illness.)

The problem can be exacerbated by flooding, which can inundate sewage systems or stores of fertilizer, polluting both surface water and groundwater. Fertilizer run-off, can cause algal blooms in lakes, killing fish. Storm run-off and forest fires are further risks to farming and food security.

In some places around the world, pollution is also seeping into groundwater, with potential long-term impacts on crops, though more research is needed to establish the precise effects on plants and human health.

Land degradation

Humanity has altered more than 70 percent of the Earth’s land area, causing what the Global Land Outlook called “unparalleled environmental degradation”. In many places, the ability of soils to store and filter water is waning, making it harder to grow crops and raise livestock. If current land degradation trends continue this century, scientists predict that there could be disruptions to food supplies, says the report.

Extreme weather caused by climate change, like heavy rains followed by periods of drought, can accelerate land degradation.

Solutions

Adopting drip irrigation and other means of increasing water use efficiency, a target within the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, would help reduce demand on freshwater supplies worldwide. Another approach that can help – and is being promoted by UNEP and others – is the improved management of water resources.

The coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources can maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. It is a long-term process involving local communities, individuals and institutions in the management of water systems. Lake Dojran, shared by North Macedonia and Greece, is an example of where such approaches are promoting conservation and restoration. Another example is Sudan: in 2020, UNEP published a report which explored how communities there were using water management techniques to adapt to climate change.

Source: UNEP

EBRD to Invest in Lamda’s Green Bond in Greece

15.07.2022

greece_grčka — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has successfully participated in a green bond issued by Lamda Development in Greece, investing 20 million euros in the total 230 million euros offering.

Lamda is the largest Greek real-estate developer and owner of The Ellinikon, the largest urban regeneration project in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, which aims to transform the former Athens International Airport in the area of Ellinikon into a sustainable and fully integrated commercial, residential and hospitality area open to the public.

The proceeds of the bond issue will fund sustainability elements of The Ellinikon, including green buildings and infrastructure, green energy and smart-city technologies.

Lamda will invest the EBRD’s proceeds in financing green-certified assets, achieving at least Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Gold” or BREEAM “Very Good” certification.

The green bond is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (ΑΤΗΕΧ) and aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles. The issuance, taking place in the current market environment, shows the debt capital market’s resilience and contributes to its development and long-term financial viability, promoting environmental aspirations through a dedicated green finance instrument that strengthens corporate climate governance.

Vlaho Kojakovic, EBRD Head of Property and Tourism, said: “We are delighted to contribute to Lamda’s path towards a low-carbon trajectory and the realisation of an investment plan focused on sustainability and climate resilience, through a tailored capital markets tool. The Ellinikon is a flagship project for the sector’s transition to a high-specification, smart and sustainable building and infrastructure landscape, offering a versatile land-use mix and having significant economic, societal and environmental implications for a much wider area.

Odisseas Athanasiou, CEO of Lamda Development, said: “We are very pleased with the EBRD’s participation in our first ever green Greek listed bond. This transaction further cements our relationship with the EBRD, which we consider a strong partner in our journey to make The Ellinikon a benchmark project for sustainability and smart living. The great reception of this bond by our investors is testament to the trust and confidence in our commitment to provide all of society, in a responsible way, with the highest standards of living in an urban environment.”

In 2019, the Bank invested 22.7 million euros in Lamda’s equity issuance to support the development of The Ellinikon.

To date, the EBRD has invested more than 5.8 billion euros in 91 projects in the corporate, financial, energy and infrastructure sectors of the Greek economy.

Source: EBRD

New Version of Solar Car Emilia4 Being Prepared in Cooperation Of Serbia and Italy

14.07.2022

Photo: Printscreen/Youtube (Mobil Auto TV)

It is called Emilia4 and it is the symbol of the day dedicated to sustainable mobility as selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy. It is a solar electric car, which runs on solar energy, and it was produced by Alma Mater Studorium – University of Bologna as part of the project of bilateral scientific cooperation with Serbia, co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy. The car was exhibited to the public at the ministry’s yard.

As the name suggests, Emilia4 is a car with four seats, which, in the version optimized for long races, travels at 65 km/h, and it is powered by two electric engines, which consume energy equivalent to a regular hairdryer of 1,200 watts, used in households, according to the website of the Embassy of Italy in Serbia.

Thanks to its unique characteristics and performances, the vehicle triumphed at the event American Solar Challenge 2018 and European Solar Challenge 2021, contests reserved for vehicles which are powered exclusively by solar energy, so, without external battery charging, developed by universities and technical colleges worldwide.

This is an excellent result at the end of the project which included all car components to the end of achieving maximum energy efficiency: structure optimization in the sense of weight and power, also, thanks to the innovative solutions and materials, solar panels, highly efficient and light batteries and electric engines, as well as a careful studying of aerodynamics.

Above all, at these tech challenges, cooperation developed with the Faculty of Applied Arts of the University of Arts in Belgrade, whose skill in studying aerodynamics essentially contributed to the success of the project – it is added.

While waiting for the new version of the solar car, which the researchers are working on, Emilia4 was also presented to the Serbian public in May during the Eco BG Car Show 2022 at the exhibition stand of the Faculty of Applied Arts of the University of Arts in Belgrade.

Source: eKapija

Global Energy and Climate Leaders Meet in Sydney to Strengthen Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains

14.07.2022

Global energy and climate leaders are meeting this week at the Sydney Energy Forum, which is co-hosted by the Australian Government and the IEA, to discuss how to scale up and strengthen supply chains for the clean energy technologies needed for a secure and affordable transition to net zero emissions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia opened the event, with high-level participants including IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol; Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen; US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm; Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda; Samoan Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster; Indian Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh; and Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. Top leaders from industry and finance also took part.

The discussions at the Sydney Energy Forum on 12-13 July reflect the importance of international dialogue and cooperation for achieving energy security and climate goals – and the central role of the IEA in these efforts. Governments around the world are seeking to bring greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero and limit the worst effects of climate change. This is set to redefine global energy security to include the supply of the minerals, materials and manufacturing capacity needed to deliver clean energy technologies.

The pressure on these supply chains from Covid-related lockdowns has been compounded by war in Ukraine, with supply disruptions and soaring prices affecting a wide range of key commodities. This turmoil risks undermining the pace of clean energy transitions, such as by hindering the production of EVs or the deployment of renewables, calling for astute action by governments to counter these challenges.

“To durably address the challenges we’re facing from today’s global energy crisis, we need an immediate and massive expansion of clean energy technologies to build a resilient and affordable energy system,” Dr Birol said. “Establishing secure and sustainable supply chains for these technologies is essential, so I’m very pleased that decision-makers from around the world have come together for these discussions led by the Australian Government and the IEA to strengthen international action.”

To inform the conversations at the Sydney Energy Forum, the IEA has published a series of new studies, including a Special Report on Solar PV Global Supply Chains and an analysis of Global Supply Chains of EV Batteries. The issues affecting different technologies are brought together in the cross-cutting Securing Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains report, which assesses current and future supply chain needs for key technologies – including solar PV, EV batteries and low emissions hydrogen – and provides a framework for governments and industry to identify, assess and respond to emerging opportunities and vulnerabilities. That report is a precursor to the 2023 edition of Energy Technology Perspectives, an IEA flagship publication, which will present detailed analysis on what is needed to develop and expand a range of clean energy technology supply chains to achieve net zero emissions.

Reflecting the IEA’s growing role in this space, IEA member governments mandated the Agency in March to work on steps to improve the security of global supplies of critical minerals needed for clean energy transitions, making this a major expanding area of work.

The Securing Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains report contains specific insights for the Indo-Pacific region, which is home to many major raw material producers such as Australia for lithium and Indonesia for nickel. The report identifies five pillars for governments and industry action: Diversify, Accelerate, Innovate, Collaborate and Invest. It recommends improving the efficiency and speed of permitting and approvals for clean energy projects and critical mineral production, while maintaining high environmental and labour standards. It also calls for coordinated measures to bolster supply chain resilience including consideration of stockpiles for critical minerals, as has been done for oil for half a century, and promoting robust recycling industries to reduce demand for raw materials.

The report recommends increasing and prioritising investment in research, development and demonstration to spawn technologies and manufacturing processes that rely on smaller quantities of critical minerals or on a more diversified mix, as well as in training to ensure an appropriately skilled workforce along clean energy technology supply chains.

Source: IEA

Energy Crisis And Changes In Serbia

13.07.2022

struja koridor žice wires electric — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Fre Sonneveld)

The challenges stirred by the energy crisis in Europe require urgent measures and bold decisions to embrace some more energy-efficient times as effortlessly as possible. We need to think promptly about how to ensure energy security, provide more green energy, and how to rationally spend it.

Although the supply of oil and gas is still uninterrupted, and the state has plans in place for potential crisis situations that would lead to disruption of the supply chain, it is important to establish diversification of suppliers on which energy stability directly depends.

The Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlović, recently explained that we are currently completely dependent on Russian gas but that the possibility of obtaining gas from other suppliers is opening. The latter will be possible with the completion of the interconnection with Bulgaria, which is due in September next year.

“Our task is to conduct Serbian politics in the interest of Serbia, leaving the emotions aside. Let’s see when and how much gas we can get and reserve capacities for next year. The moment we get another supplier, we will become safer,” the minister said.

In focus:

More green energy – it’s Elektroprivreda’s turn now

The Ministry of Mining and Energy has created all the conditions for more green energy, but when it comes down to installing solar panels on the house roofs, EPS is still not doing its part, Mihajlović stated.

She pointed out that the Ministry started projects of allocating subsidies to households last year for the installation of solar panels. However, the problem is that “Elektroprivreda” still does not sign contracts with citizens.

“We did everything necessary. We passed laws, simplified procedures, and then we stopped because EPS is not doing its part”, said Mihajlović in Smederevska Palanka, where she visited the households that participated in the energy efficiency project.

She recently emphasized that greater use of RES in energy production is a way to become energy sufficient, independent, and secure and that if we do not change the structure of the energy mix, we will not have enough energy in the future, which will pose a threat to national security.

The goal is that all households replace carpentry

In early 2022, the Ministry of Mining and Energy announced a new public call for replacing carpentry and installing solar panels in cities and municipalities. The state has allocated 230 million euros to increase energy efficiency in 2022, and since the funds are in place, Mihajlović hopes that all citizens will be able to replace carpentry.

She also announced relief funds for devastated municipalities and socially endangered groups who will reduce their electricity bills by 20 to 30 per cent by replacing carpentry.

“Increasing energy efficiency at the national level means saving 50 million kilowatt-hours per year, which, more importantly, in return gives 300,000 tons less of carbon dioxide emissions”, the minister said.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (American Public Power Association)

We need to change our attitude towards energy

The government will provide sufficient energy reserves for the next winter season, but that will not come easy or cheap; that’s why the citizens of Serbia must start saving and using energy more rationally.

“Serbia will have to make certain decisions, and we will all have to participate in the rationalization process. We are prepared for every scenario, but the question is how much it will cost because there is no such thing as cheap energy”, Mihajlović emphasized.

According to her, diversification of gas suppliers is a priority for Serbia. With the completion of the interconnection with Bulgaria, we will have the opportunity to receive gas from LNG terminals in Greece or Azerbaijan. One of the steps toward secure supply is connecting with Northern Macedonia and Romania.

Energy portal

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

Future With Fewer Challenges and More Megawatts Installed

13.07.2022

Projects such as the wind farm “Kovačica” with 104.5 megawatts installed and implemented by the company New Energy Solutions positively impact our country’s energy and environmental sector. Thanks to this, Serbia is approaching its plan to have 40 percent of its production in the energy mix by 2040 from RES.

The usage of solar and wind energy in Serbia’s energy mix today is only 3.5 percent. The only way for our country to be energy safe are further investments in RES. Therefore we have prepared the interview about investments and future wind farm projects with Miloš Perišić, Director of Engineering from New Energy Solutions.

EP: With the accomplishment of the wind farm “Kovačica” project, the largest investment in the mentioned municipality was realized. Would you highlight this as the most significant project in the first 10 years of the company’s operation?

Miloš Perišić: New Energy Solutions has been expanding in recent years. It is already one of the most important factors in the field of renewable sources in Serbia and the region. The expectations of the management and all employees in NES are high, so the realization of projects that will surpass even a project such as WPP “Kovačica” is planned, which is undoubtedly the most important project in the first 10 years of the company’s work. However, we are also sure that the projects ahead of us will surpass the success achieved by realizing that project.

In focus:

EP: Do you have data on the overall reduction of CO2 emissions and other benefits this project has brought?

Miloš Perišić: The average electricity production from the wind farm “Kovačica” is about 298,000 MWh. If we assume that this production reduces the share of electricity production obtained from the thermal power plant, we come to a reduction in CO2 emissions by about 250,000 tons per year. We are sure that the positive effect of the “Kovačica” wind farm project is also reflected in the increase in the income of the local community with which we have exceptional cooperation.

EP: New Energy Solutions is also working on developing the wind farm “Pupin” for the same Investor, the Israeli company Enlight. What can you tell us about this project? What stage is it currently in?

Miloš Perišić: Successful cooperation established with “Enlight”, a world-renowned company in the field of renewable sources, continues on the wind farm “Pupin” project. The fact that the company “Enlight” wishes to continue very successful cooperation through new projects is a great honor and recognition of our work. “Pupin” wind farm is a natural continuation of the “Kovačica” wind farm project. The installed capacity is 95.5 megawatts. A planning document was prepared and adopted, location conditions were provided, and a building permit was obtained. Activities are underway to provide appropriate permits for supporting infrastructure, which primarily refers to the connection to the transmission system, which is realized by the joint efforts of Elektromreža Srbije AD as the Investor of this part of the project and the company New Energy Solutions.

EP: Investors are announcing investments in green energy power plants with the capacity of a few hundred megawatts to even a few gigawatts. Do you think EMS is ready to connect new wind farms to the network? What is the current situation?

Miloš Perišić: According to publicly available information on the website of EMS AD, at the moment, there are requests for the connection of over 13 gigawatts from power plants that use renewable energy sources. If we take into account that about 390 megawatts of electricity from wind power plants are currently connected and that the total installed capacity of all power plants in Serbia is about 8 gigawatts, it is clear that EMS AD is currently unable to provide the capacity to cover all the existing requirements. However, the essential question is how much capacity of 13 gigawatts is realistic, what are the deadlines and whether all those power plants will be built. The joint-stock company Elektromreža Srbije has been working for a long time on the realization of a project that will enable the connection of power plants from renewable sources in a very serious and significant capacity. Also, I am sure that EMS AD will provide timely preconditions for connecting all power plants that will be built in the coming period.

Interviewed by: Milica Marković

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

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