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A Country of Technological Innovations and Water Scarcity

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Raimond Klavins)
Photo: Courtesy of Yahel Vilan

It seems that we can learn the most about how to wisely manage resources from countries that do not have them at their disposal to a significant extent. Among those shining examples is certainly the country of Israel, which has become a leader in the treatment of water and its efficient use out of necessity, since 60 per cent of this country is desert. It was a real challenge to solve the water shortage and find the best way to use the modest water reserves, says Yahel Vilan, Israel’s Ambassador to Serbia.

We also asked our interlocutor about the deadline for the suspension of electricity production from coal, the development of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, and economic cooperation between Israel and Serbia.

EP: This year, Serbia and Israel are marking 30 years since the renewal of diplomatic relations. What are the relations between the two countries, in political and, of course, in economic terms?

Yahel Vilan: The embassy of Israel will mark this jubilee with different activities. We are preparing numerous projects in the spheres of culture, public diplomacy, and economy. Relations between Israel and Serbia have a positive trend of development. Bilateral trade has a steady upward trend. This year we reached 107 million USD representing growth by 31 per cent on an annual basis, a very nice figure. We have several agreements in force, such as the Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture, Agreement on Protection of Investments, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Protocol on Cooperation between Israeli aid agency Mashav and Serbian Ministry of Agriculture etc. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Free Trade Agreement, which would enable further, faster growth of trade. During the visit of President Rivlin, the two countries formed a Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, whose first sitting hopefully will happen this year. Unfortunately, the situation with the pandemic slowed down certain bilateral activities. A valuable step forward in economic relations was opening the Representative Office of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Jerusalem this autumn. It contributes to expanding and deepening economic relations, especially in innovation, entrepreneurship, and hi-tech.

EP: As far as we know, many Israeli companies are interested in investing in Serbia, especially in the RES sector, in solar primarily. What is cooperation in the field of energy?

Yahel Vilan: Cooperation in the field of energy is on the rise, especially in the last 2-3 years. We are about to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Cooperation in Green Energy. Serbia has an ambitious goal of achieving 40 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2040 and new regulations (Laws and By-Laws) which make the environment for investments favorable. Israeli companies are eager to contribute to this goal by investing in wind and solar energy primarily. As you mentioned solar, yes, the embassy has marked an increased interest in companies investing and setting up their operations in the upcoming period.

EP: Kovačica Wind Farm, capacity 104.5 NW, investment of the Israeli company Enlight Energy is the most valuable Israeli investment in Serbia, 189 million euros worth. The same company has developed the Pupin wind farm, which is ready for construction and is awaiting auctions. Does that mean that Serbia is a good place to invest?

Yahel Vilan: Investment of Enlight Energy is the first and the most significant Israeli investment in green energy in Serbia. It has set the ground for other companies to come based on their positive experience. The company is expanding its operations with the Pupin wind farm, which means Serbia is a stable investment environment with a positive business outlook. Serbia proved to be a stable and predictive business environment during the pandemic based on macroeconomic indicators and generous packages of assistance provided to the economy and citizens.

EP: What energy sources does Israel use, and how much has it moved in the process of the energy transition?

Yahel Vilan: There is a growing awareness in Israel and worldwide of the importance of turning to renewable energy sources such as solar radiation, wind, biogas/biomass, earth heat and other sustainable natural resources. Reducing dependency on imported fuels contributes to the energy independence of any state. This is of strategic importance for Israel, which is like an electric island because it is not connected to any network!

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Shai Pal)

Only in the last decade has the country paved a way towards becoming a significant natural gas supplier. As of 2018, the country’s electricity output is mainly generated from natural gas (66 per cent) and coal (30 per cent), while at least 3 per cent is generated from renewables. In 2019, the Israeli government announced its target to phase out coal-fired power generation by the end of 2025, five years earlier than originally targeted. To achieve this, the government plans to “switch” the Ashkelon coal-fired power plant to natural gas by 2024 and intends to do the same with two more coal-fired plants at Hadera’s Orot Rabin by the end of 2025.

Israeli Ministry of Energy outlined the main objectives by the year 2030, which will make Israel fully comply with Paris Agreement on Climate Change: These include stopping the use of coal in electricity production and switching to electricity production using natural gas, a 17 per cent share of RES in electricity production by 2030 and a reduction in national electricity consumption of at least 17 per cent. In this energy mix, the benefits are economic, environmental, and health.

Interviewed by: Danijela Isailović

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

Joint Statement Between the European Commission and the United States on European Energy Security

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The United States and the European Commission are committed to reducing Europe’s dependency on Russian energy.

“We reaffirm our joint commitment to Europe’s energy security and sustainability and to accelerating the global transition to clean energy. In condemning in the strongest terms Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, we express our solidarity and support for Ukraine. We share the objective of addressing the energy security emergency – to ensure energy supply for the EU and Ukraine. We welcome the continued progress toward the physical integration of Ukraine with the EU energy markets. The energy security and sustainability of the EU and Ukraine are essential for peace, freedom and democracy in Europe”, says in a statement.

Through the Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy (REPowerEU), the EU confirmed its objective to reach independence from Russian fossil fuels well before the end of the decade, replacing them with stable, affordable, reliable, and clean energy supplies for EU citizens and businesses.

The United States and the EU are committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, achieving the objective of net zero emissions by 2050, and keeping a 1.5 degrees Celsius limit on temperature rise within reach, including through a rapid clean energy transition, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. These policies and technologies will also contribute to making the EU independent from Russian fossil fuels. Natural gas remains an important part of the EU energy system in the green transition, including by ensuring its carbon intensity decreases over time.

The United States and European Commission confirm our strategic energy cooperation for security of energy supply and reducing dependence on fossil fuels:

“We share efforts to make available stable, affordable, reliable and clean energy supplies to citizens and businesses in the EU and its neighbouring partner nations. In this framework, we establish an immediate cooperation to address the emergency energy security objective of ensuring appropriate levels of gas storage ahead of next winter and the following one. We will continue our close cooperation on other measures to accelerate the green energy transition, lower energy consumption and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”

Soure: European Commission 

Why Water is Crucial for Sustainable Food Systems

Foto-ilustracija: Pexels
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Agriculture is a major user of freshwater withdrawals

Irrigated crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry, account for roughly 70 percent of total freshwater withdrawals globally and for over 90 percent in the majority of Least Developed Countries, of which almost 67 percent is estimated to be used by irrigation. Nevertheless, enhancing irrigation efficiency is not a priority in policy agendas, being overshadowed by the global issue of access to drinking water and sanitation. IFAD is incentivizing practices that enhance irrigation efficiency and increase water productivity, adoption of climate resilient irrigation infrastructure, adopt adequate on farm soil and water management practices, and use high-yielding and drought-tolerant crop varieties.

Most of the population in the world depends primarily on rainfed agriculture for food production

Rainfed agriculture produces more than 60 percent of the food consumed globally. When effective rainfall is lacking, food security is at risk. For some countries, the decline in yield from rain-fed agriculture could be as much as 50 percent. Adoption of resilient water resource management, soil and water conservation, drought-tolerant varieties, and supplemental irrigation would benefit rainfed smallholder farming. IFAD’s investments to enhance the livelihoods of poor rainfed farming communities include rainwater harvesting, soil and water conservation measures, conservation agriculture and agroforestry.

Food production and processing can lead to pollution of water bodies 

The food production and processing sectors are both a victim of pollution from industrial waste and municipal sewage discharged into freshwater bodies, and an agent of pollution and a significant amount of wastewater. Agriculture water return flow carries fertilizers and pesticides, oxygen-depleting substances, and pathogens. To address water pollution and protect ecosystems, less polluting practices have to be applied and enhanced technologies and efficiency of wastewater treatment, management and reuse, have to be promoted. IFAD promotes the safe reuse of non-conventional water including wastewater as a reliable source of water that can be safely reused to offset growing water scarcity. It can also be used as a cost-effective and sustainable source of energy, (e.g. through biogas), and nutrients (e.g. through compost).

About 30 percent of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted every year

In developing countries food waste and losses occur mainly at early stages of the food value chain, and can be traced back to financial, managerial and technical constraints in harvesting techniques, and storage and cooling facilities, and the lack of processing facilities for perishable products. Food loss and waste also amount to a major squandering of resources, including water, land, energy, labour and capital and needlessly produced greenhouse gas emissions. To increase efficiency in agricultural areas, IFAD invests in logistics and infrastructure, such as roads, cold chains, storage, processing and market facilities, as well as in more sustainable farming systems.

Dietary choices affect water resources management

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Syd Wachs)

As the buying power of the population in the emerging economy countries improve, they are demanding more nutritious, high-quality and meat-based diets. On a unit weight basis, production of meat-based food ingredients requires more input resources, including water and energy as compared to production of plant-based food products. This dietary change enhances the pressure on water resource constraints.

Without planetary stewardship for water resilience we will not eradicate poverty and hunger

Food and water are the most basic needs essential for human life. Water plays a cardinal role in all aspects of food systems, from production, processing, preparation, consumption, and in part, distribution. Access to essential volumes of water of appropriate quality is fundamental to the existence of secure food systems and a stable society.

Mismanagement of water across sectors has intensified water scarcity, endangering water security

Current policies in water use systems across the food system are economically and environmentally unsustainable. Many of the policies and investments that would improve access to safe water and sanitation as well as sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems, would also support broader food-sustainability targets. Yet, public policies, such as subsidies that support industrialised monocultures, or subsidies to water and energy, as was the case in India, can distort the relative prices of food markets and affect the health of natural ecosystems.

Over 2 billion people currently live in countries experiencing high water stress

All of the Middle East and South Asia, and significant parts of China and North Africa are particularly affected by water stress. About one out of six people on the planet face severe water shortages or scarcity in agriculture. Over three billion people live in agricultural areas with high to very high levels of water shortages (affecting rainfed agriculture) or scarcity (affecting irrigated agriculture), of whom 1.2 billion people live in severely water-constrained areas.

With clean water supplies and sanitation remaining a major problem in many parts of the world, IFAD invests in multiple water use strategies in rural areas, in addition to productive uses, such as livestock watering facilities or reservoirs, and canals for irrigation. We recognize the importance of ecosystem services with respect to the natural water cycle and invest in watershed conservation and rehabilitation to enhance the sustainability of food production.

Source: IFAD

Why Mercury is Still a Threat to Human and Planetary Health

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Jeremy Stewart)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Christin Hume)

Everyone is exposed to mercury at some level – whether through the food we eat, the air we breathe or the cosmetics that we use. Inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of mercury, however, can lead to serious neurological health implications. Symptoms can include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, muscle weakness, and—in extreme cases—death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two groups are at particularly risk: unborn babies, whose mothers have high levels of mercury in their blood, and those who are regularly exposed to elevated levels of mercury, such as subsistence fishermen.

To address this global challenge, representatives from governments, United Nations bodies, academia and civil society gathered at the resumed fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. 

Named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health issues that became known as the “Minamata disease”; the Convention aims to control mercury supply and trade, and reduce the use, emission and release of mercury. It entered into force in 2017.

At the conference, which ran from 21 to 25 March in Bali, Indonesia; representatives discussed plansto enhance international cooperation to combat illegal mercury trade and address the health impacts of mercury.

Read the full story HERE.

Source: UNEP

Director Lorkowski Urges Reforms to Ensure the Electricity Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Ready for CBAM

Photo-illustration: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Director Lorkowski delivered opening remarks at the Energy Summit in Neum this week. In his speech, he underlined that the current global energy crisis strengthened the case for a rapid energy transition and presented an additional reason for Bosnia and Herzegovina to phase out its reliance on fossil fuels.

The focus should be on no-regret measures such as speeding up electricity market reforms, boosting energy from renewable sources and improving energy efficiency, which will also strengthen the country’s security of supply and create new jobs.

Together with the international community, the Energy Community Secretariat is determined to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy transition.

Director Lorkowski also emphasized that the timely introduction of carbon pricing and the establishment of an organized electricity market will allow Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as other Energy Community Contracting Parties to request an exemption from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) currently under preparation in the European Union. He expressed the Secretariat’s readiness to further support Bosnia and Herzegovina in this regard.

Source: Energy Community

Earth Hour – A Moment for Solidarity

Foto-ilustracija: Dil
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Every year, at 8:30 pm on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world show their support for our planet, raising awareness of nature loss and climate change—the two biggest threats facing our shared planet.

But this year, Earth hour is taking place at an incredibly challenging time. In the midst of uncertainty, Earth Hour offers a moment for solidarity, the opportunity to come together and look after each other and the one home we all share. Earth Hour is more than a symbol, it is a catalyst for change.

Everyone has the power to shape our future.

Here are a few simple tips you can use to conserve energy and a host of other actions you can take to help save our planet.

Additionally, you can tune into the Earth Hour 2021 guided meditation, led by Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts, at any time to continue to practice mindfulness and gratitude for nature.

Source: WWF

​Early Warning Systems Must Protect Everyone Within Five Years

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Johannes Plenio)

Within the next five years, everyone on Earth should be protected by early warning systems against increasingly extreme weather and climate change, according to an ambitious new United Nations target announced today.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has tasked the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to lead the effort and present an action plan to achieve this goal at the next UN climate conference in Egypt this November.

The announcement was made on World Meteorological Day on 23 March, which this year has the theme Early Warning and Early Action.

“Human-caused climate disruption is now damaging every region. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change details the suffering already happening. Each increment of global heating will further increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,” said Mr Guterres.

“We must invest equally in adaptation and resilience. That includes the information that allows us to anticipate storms, heatwaves, floods and droughts,” said the UN chief.

However, one-third of the world’s people, mainly in least developed countries and small island developing states, are still not covered by early warning systems.  In Africa, it is even worse: 60 per cent of people lack coverage.

“This is unacceptable, particularly with climate impacts sure to get even worse,” said Mr Guterres.

“Early warnings and action save lives. To that end, today I announce the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.  I have asked the World Meteorological Organization to lead this effort and to present an action plan at the next UN climate conference, later this year in Egypt,” Mr Guterres said in a video message to the World Meteorological Day ceremony.

Climate change is already very visible through more extreme weather in all parts of the world. We are seeing more intense heatwaves and drought and forest fires. There is more water vapor in the atmosphere, which leads to extreme rainfall and deadly flooding. The warming of the ocean fuels more powerful tropical storms and rising sea levels increase the impacts.

Read the whole article HERE.

Source: WMO

Decarbonised Energy Pathway More Cost Effective than Polluting Alternatives in Central America

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

A decarbonisation strategy can bring benefits to the Central America region at the same or lower energy system costs than the current planning strategy, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The report finds the decarbonised pathway would cost the region around USD 20 billion less than the planned scenario in the period 2018-2050.

The analysis shows improved power system integration can help the region exploit abundant renewable energy potential, estimated at around 180 gigawatts (GW) – a tenfold increase from the region’s installed capacity today. ‘Renewable Energy Roadmap for Central America: Towards a Regional Energy Transition’, finds achieving this target would require increasing the total installed capacity share of renewables in the regional power sector to 90 per cent and electrifying 75 per cent of region’s total fleet, by 2050. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on the energy transition in the region, and related initiatives.

IRENA’s roadmap outlines an ambitious, yet achievable Decarbonising Energy Scenario (DES) that reduces CO2 emissions in Central America by 70 per cent by 2050 compared to the 2050 ‘Planned Energy Scenario’ (PES).

“Central America is entering a crucial decade for shaping its future energy system,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “The region has a unique opportunity to ensure sustainable development with renewable energy resources that can bolster its energy security by mitigating fossil fuel dependence, while reducing costs, stimulating the region’s post-COVID-19 recovery and addressing climate change.”

Scaling up the annual deployment of renewables in the region three-fold by 1.4 GW per year compared to planned deployment would put the region on track to achieving its renewable energy target, according to IRENA’s analysis. To further reduce emissions from the transport sector, green hydrogen is recommended as an alternative fuel for heavy cargo road transport as well as international shipping.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Daniel Moqvist)

The report also points to key challenges in the region in achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking technologies. Currently, 37 per cent of households in Central America do not have accdeess to clean cooking technologies and fuels. In the DES, this share would fall to just one per cent thanks to the introduction of improved cookstoves and electric stoves, which would require cumulative technology costs of around USD 12.5 billion during the period 2018-2050.

Additional health and socio-economic benefits would include reducing the pollution from cooking activities, benefiting women and children in particular.

IRENA’s analysis serves as technical guidance that can support the decision-making process of policy makers, energy planners, government institutions and the private sector to define low-carbon development in the region. The findings can cast light on the design, elaboration and implementation of energy plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), national mitigation plans and investment plans that are ongoing or in the pipeline.

Read the full report here.

Source: IRENA

What Can We Expect From the Dynamic Natural Gas Market? Find out at the 37TH Gas Industry Meeting in Opatija

Foto: Pixabay
Photo: Promo

The 37th International Scientific and Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals will be held this year from 11th to 13th May at the Congress Centre of the Grand Hotel Adriatic in Opatija. The three-day international gas conference and exhibition in Opatija, organised by the Croatian Gas Association (CGA), a member of the International Gas Union (IGU), and the Croatian Gas Centre Ltd, is one of the largest of its kind in Southeast Europe.

During three days of the meeting, a few hundred recognised gas and energy professionals from more than 20 countries are expected to participate, along with about 50 reputable lecturers and 30 exhibitors. The interesting conference program will cover 10 current thematic units, a number of interactive panel discussions and a poster session on the most relevant themes in the gas business and the energy industry.

The organisers will endeavour to divide this year’s conference programme (umetnuti link za programme) into strategic and technical sections. The first section will address strategic themes such as trends on the natural gas market, fluctuating gas prices and future expectations, the key role of the gas infrastructure in establishing decarbonisation and a reliable energy system, as well as consequences of the EU regulatory framework on accelerating decarbonisation for the gas sector. The second and third days of the conference will cover technical themes, new technologies and innovation in the gas sector in the era of decarbonisation, development potentials of LNG terminals, issues facing transport, distribution, storage and consumption of gas in terms of securing an efficient, secure and low-carbon system as well as numerous other themes.

Throughout the world, natural gas has an important and positive role on global energy markets and in energy transition; hence the goal of this conference is to understand and acknowledge the key role of natural gas as another reliable and clean pillar of energy transition, along with renewable sources. It is with great delight that we are announcing an invitational lecture by Andree Steghera, SVP of the Energy Transition at SNAM, elected  President of the International Gas Union (IGU) from 2025 to 2028 and current VP of IGU who will speak about the trending record high gas prices in Europe and measures undertaken by EU Member States as well as forecasted trends on the global gas market in the coming period.

Torben Brabo, President of the Gas Infrastructure Europe association (GIE), will hold a talk on partnerships in gas infrastructure incorporating renewable and low-carbon molecules, regulations on blending hydrogen in the natural gas network, as well as pure hydrogen networks, and will exhibit examples of specific hydrogen corridors in the regions.

The Policy Advisor before the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Mathilde Blanchard, will speak about repositioning gas infrastructure companies in the context of the European Green Deal and the “Fit for 55” packet, which requires new skills and talents for the transition to green fuels. This is an opportunity for young experts to become initiators of change and socially engaged. The increasing integration of energy systems has led to greater mutual interconnected careers in the gas and energy profession. This year, organisers provided the opportunity to ambitious students from many technical and other faculties in Croatia to register their papers and show their talents by presenting the best quality expert papers from the area of natural gas and energy.

Photo: Croatian Gas Association

A number of interesting lectures on the effects of the EU strategy for reducing methane emissions on the natural gas sector will be given including challenges and possibilities of decarbonisation of the future natural gas and LNG value chain. An important part of the soon-to-be gathering will be presentations of a number of expert papers on the application of smart technologies, innovations and digital transformation in the gas sector. The seventh thematic unit will include a presentation of the development potential for LNG (liquid natural gas) terminals and their important role in the future European gas infrastructure as well as ensuring reliability of supply and decarbonisation.

The conference will also address the development of sustainable transport systems driven by compressed natural gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Numerous domestic and foreign experts will present papers on issues facing transport, distribution, storage and consumption of gas in terms of securing an efficient, secure and low-carbon system gas system. Peter Kristensen, the main director of strategy for the company Evida and president of the Ready4H2 project, will present the H2 project and the readiness of European natural gas distributors for blending hydrogen. The goal of the Ready4H2 project is a new alliance of 90 local operators of distribution systems from 17 countries throughout Europe, dedicated to developing and expertise as well as experience to prepare the implementation of transforming gas distributors towards climate neutrality.

Held in parallel with the conference is an exhibition of gas equipment and technologies where numerous national and foreign exhibitors will present advanced technical solutions for the gas business and energy industry. Companies sponsoring the gathering will have the opportunity to strengthen their position, display their expertise and new technical solutions for overcoming challenges in the gas business.

The targeted thematic units and distinguished speakers are some of the advantages of the gathering in linking science, education, the profession and companies that actively participate in the gas business. The mobile application, accessible prior to opening the gathering, and social events in Opatija will ensure ample to time for interactive network and achieving new business opportunities.

Ensure your place in Opatija on time!

The link to the preliminary programme and the registration form are available on the event website.

Source: Croatian Gas Association (CGA)

SEEGAS Addresses Vulnerabilities to Gas Disruptions in South-East Europe   

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Quinten de Graaf)

Gas stakeholders underlined that coordinated actions and measures were the best response to ensure the stability of the regional gas system following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The meeting under the South-East European Gas (SEEGAS) initiative proposed concrete measures to accelerate regional gas market integration and gas supply diversification, which is important not just for Ukraine but also for the South-East and East European countries vulnerable to energy disruptions from Russia.

The conclusions of the SEEGAS Joint Steering Committee meeting and the extraordinary crisis response meeting held in Vienna on 17 and 18 March can be accessed via the link below.

At the extraordinary meeting, the Ukrainian gas transmission system operator, GTSOUA, briefed the participants on the current situation and challenges faced by Ukraine and stressed the importance of improving Ukraine’s energy security by adding firm capacities with its neighbours and opening up the Trans-Balkan corridor.

The better utilization of the Trans-Balkan Pipeline, as a means of bringing gas through the Balkan countries to Ukraine and Moldova in reverse mode, will be addressed in a feasibility study being prepared by the Secretariat.

At its regular meeting, the SEEGAS Joint Steering Committee recognized the urgent need to advance the gas market integration process at the political level and continue discussions with relevant stakeholders and associations. Possible solutions to the high commodity prices and volatility on the market were also discussed.

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to the continuation of SEEGAS activities to implement an effective commodity clearing system for natural gas transactions.

About SEEGAS: chaired by the Secretariat, SEEGAS is a well-established platform bringing together gas transmission system operators, gas exchanges and other stakeholders in the SEEGAS region to work together to support the creation of a competitive liquid gas market in accordance with the EU acquis, and ultimately benefit end-consumers through increased competition in gas trading.

Source: Energy Community

Emerging Evidence Suggests COVID-19 Was Worsened by Air Pollution

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

As science reveals more and more links between air pollution and the effects of COVID-19, the pressure is mounting on the European Commission to set high ambitions in the upcoming revision of the EU’s Air Quality Directive.

It is no secret that air pollution is heavily associated with a wide range of diseases. And now scientists have started new research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: the relation between infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and air pollution.

At an event hosted by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) Thursday (February 10), two scientists made it clear that there is an increasing amount of evidence that the levels of air pollution could have worsened the spread and severity of COVID-19.

A study by the Dutch consultancy CE Delft investigating the situation in the Netherlands states that “if air pollution were lower, fewer COVID-19 control measures would have been necessary” and “had policy efforts to prevent air pollution been stronger, significant social costs could have been prevented.”

But despite these initial results, more research is needed in the field.

“The relationship between air pollution and virus transmissibility is still uncertain, so we need more research (…). Nevertheless, we can say that the relationship between air pollution and virus transmission forms an additional argument for ambitious air quality policy,” said Daan Juijn, co-author of the Dutch study ‘Air pollution and COVID-19’

He was supported by Annette Peters, a researcher at Helmholtz Munich’s Institute of Epidemiology, who has also been looking into this issue.

“There is emerging evidence that air pollution is linked to infectious diseases, something we may have overlooked before. The pandemic situation is complex and studies are needed to understand the impacts fully, so it’s still early days. However, action to reduce air pollution is needed,” she said at the event.

The Dutch study focused on the COVID-19 situation and levels of air pollution in the Netherlands, concluding that their results indicate “the social costs [both economic and non-economic such as eg well-being] of the additional COVID-19 control measures that were required due to air pollution amount to around 11 billion euros. This equals around 1.5 per cent of Dutch GDP.”

In that context, Juijn pointed out that these numbers could be higher in countries with higher levels of air pollution. Both he and Peters called for more research in the area.

Higher ambitions in the updated Air Quality Directive

Lockdowns enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19 led to a temporary increase in air quality. Despite this, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in a report in November 2021 that air pollution still accounts for 307,000 premature deaths a year in Europe alone.

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The EEA’s air quality viewer shows the levels of fine particulate matter measured in cities in Europe, which reveals that the largest proportion of the most polluted cities is in the eastern and southern parts of the continent.

Following the launch of the World Health Organisation’s new Global Air Quality Guidelines in September, the European Commission has begun to look into a revision of the EU’s Air Quality Directive, which dates back to 2008, and is set to present its proposal in the third quarter of this year.

It will take a lot of effort to reach the very ambitious goals set by the WHO, Vicente Franco, policy officer at the Commission’s DG Environment, said at the event.

“Everything is on the table,” he said, adding that along with reviewing the legislative framework, they are reviewing many elements such as sanctions, the use of air quality modelling, improvements on how monitoring is done, and how member states should prepare air quality plans.

“One of the elements of feedback that we got from stakeholders, including member states, is that perhaps these aspects of monitoring, modelling and air quality plans were under-specified in the directive, and they would welcome a higher level of harmonisation of specification of how things should be done,” Franco said.

Until then, said Ugo Taddei, director of nature and health at Client Earth NGO, “we need very strong policies to put us on the right track to tackle this human health crisis caused by air pollution because the figures are quite shocking”.

“This needs a very strong answer from policymakers and civil society.”

Source: EURACTIV.com

Electric Vehicles are the Future of the Automotive Industry

Foto: British Motors
Photo: British Motors

Suppose you go to ev-database.org, the largest source of information on electric vehicles. In that case, you will notice that in Germany, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, most models of any manufacturer are in the production phase. In contrast, some models are not available in any of the listed countries. Currently, there is a possibility of pre-ordering for a very few models. This situation is not limited to the electric car market. We asked Sanja Stojković, Head of Business of British Motors in Serbia, how the situation is with conventional vehicles.

EP: Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, there is significant uncertainty in the automotive industry. Production processes are interrupted, raw material prices are rising, factories are closing, and there is also chip shortage. When do you expect normalization, i.e. complete recovery of the market?

Sanja Stojković: The changes that have befallen us have created uncertainty in all industries, but it is certain that perhaps the car industry has been hit hardest. We expect that in the second half of 2022 and during 2023, the situation in the car industry will improve. However, due to the current increased demand, and after solving the challenges in the supply chain and the accelerated development of electric vehicle production strategy, we can expect a return to the pre-pandemic level from 2024.

EP What is the manufacturer’s strategy?

Sanja Stojković: Jaguar Land Rover was among the first in the premium segment to recognize the potential and new trends in the automotive industry. In 2019, the Jaguar I-Pace model won three prestigious awards. So, it carries the titles of World Car of the Year, World Car Design and World Green Car.

Then, in 2020, Jaguar Land Rover introduced Reimagine’s new business strategy aimed at zero carbon emissions in the product and process supply chain. Jaguar Land Rover plans to achieve the set goals and provide a unique user experience through luxury and exceptional design with a positive social impact.

EP: How does this situation affect the business of British Motors?

Sanja Stojković: British Motors is currently facing challenges common to the entire auto industry. We do our best to meet the expectations of our clients. The beginning of 2020 was a surprise, but we have learned to adapt quickly and develop the necessary skills that can mitigate the negative consequences of the constant changes we face with the right approach to work and listening to the clients’ needs.

EP What do current subsidies for buying electric and hybrid vehicles mean for importers? How much do they affect sales?

Sanja Stojković: The fact that the state recognized the necessity of improving environmental protection is extremely important. State support is the basis for enhancing this segment. Subsidies can certainly significantly contribute to better sales of electric vehicles. In addition to subsidies, the use of electric cars is greatly conditioned by the development of the network of electric chargers.

Photo: British Motors

Many European countries are ready to offer whole packages of benefits to drivers of electric vehicles, which indicates the commitment of countries to this task. The automotive industry must develop new technologies to overcome challenges such as charging time and the cost of electric vehicles.

EP: What are the challenges of legislation in the field of environmental protection?

Sanja Stojković: Energy transition and emphasis on environmental protection have conditioned the adoption of many regulations that have influenced the change of strategy in the automotive industry. The European Union has a current “Fit for 55” plan, which aims to reduce net gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030.

In previous years, the car industry has faced demands to reduce emissions. These changes significantly affect the business and the portfolio of services we can offer to our clients. That will be a major challenge for all of us.

EP: Are you planning to make additional investments in installing EV chargers at your locations? What is the attitude of British Motors towards investing in “green energy”, and what else reflects the social responsibility of your company?

Sanja Stojković: British Motors has already made investments in installing chargers for electrified vehicles at their locations. In addition, we are working on developing a project to install solar panels at our locations to use green energy for the vehicles of our fleet and for the needs of our processes.

In addition to significant savings and social responsibility, we believe that the strength of our company is reflected in recognition of the vision for investing in the development of infrastructure for charging EVs.

EP: What are the main expectations at British Motors in 2022?

Sanja Stojković: Plans for 2022 follow the dynamics of the expected recovery of the automotive industry. Although the end of the pandemic is still unknown, we can confirm with certainty that electric vehicles are the future of the car industry.

Interviewed by: Milica Marković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.

What is the Sixth Mass Extinction and What Can We Do About It?

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

A mass extinction is a short period of geological time in which a high percentage of biodiversity, or distinct speciesbacteria, fungi, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebratesdies out. In this definition, it’s important to note that, in geological time, a ‘short’ period can span thousands or even millions of years. The planet has experienced five previous mass extinction events, the last one occurring 65.5 million years ago which wiped out the dinosaurs from existence. Experts now believe we’re in the midst of a sixth mass extinction.

What’s causing the sixth mass extinction?

Unlike previous extinction events caused by natural phenomena, the sixth mass extinction is driven by human activity, primarily (though not limited to) the unsustainable use of land, water and energy use, and climate change.

According to the Living Planet Report, 30 per cent of all land that sustains biodiversity has been converted for food production. Agriculture is also responsible for 80 per cent of global deforestation and accounts for 70 per cent of the planet’s freshwater use, devastating the species that inhabit those places by significantly altering their habitats. It’s evident that where and how food is produced is one of the biggest human-caused threats to species extinction and our ecosystems.

To make matters worse, unsustainable food production and consumption are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that are causing atmospheric temperatures to rise, wreaking havoc across the globe. The climate crisis is causing everything from severe droughts to more frequent and intense storms. It also exacerbates the challenges associated with food production that stress species, while creating conditions that make their habitats inhospitable. Increased droughts and floods have made it more difficult to maintain crops and produce sufficient food in some regions. The intertwined relationships among the food system, climate change, and biodiversity loss are placing immense pressure on our planet.

Why should we care about mass extinction?

Species do not exist in isolation; they are interconnected. A single species interacts with many other species in specific ways that produce benefits to people, like clean air, clean water, and healthy soils for efficient food production. When one species goes extinct in an ecosystem or its population numbers decline so significantly that it cannot sustain its important function, other species are affected, impacting the way the ecosystem functions and the benefits it provides.

And the potential for species extinction rises. Monitoring these trends is vital because they are a measure of overall ecosystem health. Serious declines in populations of species are an indicator that the ecosystem is breaking down, warning of a larger systems failure.

Currently, the species extinction rate is estimated between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than natural extinction rates—the rate of species extinctions that would occur if we humans were not around. While extinctions are a normal and expected part of the evolutionary process, the current rates of species population decline and species extinction are high enough to threaten important ecological functions that support human life on Earth, such as a stable climate, predictable regional precipitation patterns, and productive farmland and fisheries.

If we do not course correct, we will continue to lose life-sustaining biodiversity at an alarming rate. These losses will, at best, take decades to reverse, resulting in a planet less able to support current and future generations.

What can we do to stop mass extinction?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Urgent action is needed if we are to curb human impacts on biodiversity.

Paris Agreement – We can ramp up our commitments to cutting carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

30X30 – Our leaders can support the America the Beautiful initiative to conserve 30 per cent of US lands and waters by 2030.

Build Back Better – Congress can support a policy package that offers the largest-ever federal investment in clean energy.

UN Biodiversity Summit – US leadership can play a critical role beside 195 other countries and agree to new ambitious global goals on biodiversity and how they can be financed and implemented.

Grassroots action – While the federal government can set high-level policies to conserve nature, businesses, communities, and individuals have a powerful role to play in shifting corporate behavior with their consumer choices and demanding accountability from political leaders.

Source: WWF

Meet the Future of Intelligent Building Automation

Photo: Schneider Electric
Photo: Schneider Electric

KNX solutions enable a seamless way to digitize buildings, providing a connected system of devices which intelligently communicate with each other to reliably perform tasks, such as switching. However, these systems can be costly and complicated. So it’s key to choose the latest technology and a system that’s easy to install, set up, operate, and maintain.

Introducing SpaceLogic KNX solutions

That’s where SpaceLogic KNX from Schneider Electric comes in, with interoperable, modular, future-ready solutions. Whether it’s a small family home or a large office complex, our flexible smart devices are easy to configure, order, and install, and designed to increase comfort and security, while decreasing energy consumption.

Why KNX?

As a powerful, open standard of network communication, KNX enhances building automation with easy-to-use, technology-driven functions. It facilitates solutions that require less wiring, which means simpler installation, lower costs, and even decreased fire risk. Certified by the KNX Association, products are compatible across manufacturers.

The advantages of SpaceLogic KNX

A KNX system is at its best when it’s simple – for consulting engineers, system integrators, and electricians to commission and install, and for their customers to use. SpaceLogic KNX is a building automation system that’s as flexible as it is smart – suitable for applications from homes to office complexes, hotels, and hospitals. Schneider Electric offers a comprehensive portfolio of KNX solutions, including actuators, system components, sensors, smart home automation, and other connected devices designed to work with a range of systems. Our solutions are designed to work with Apple, Amazon, Google, ZigBee, and others.

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RECYCLING.

Introducing a New Webinar Series: The Role of Green Bonds in the Energy Transition

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Green bonds can serve as a key instrument to finance the transition towards a low-carbon economy in the Energy Community Contracting Parties. The Energy Community Secretariat, in cooperation with the Hungarian National Bank and with the support of the Western Balkans Green Center, is launching a new webinar series to help raise awareness of green bonds and provide practical advice on how to mobilize this type of finance. With investors actively looking for sustainable, green investment opportunities, focus will be put on the tools needed to attract potential investors.

In the course of six webinar-style lectures, the Secretariat will seek to improve Energy Community stakeholders’ knowledge about the steps to take to design green bonds on a national, municipal and company scale, while also focusing on the building sector and energy transition. The webinars aim to attract a wide range of stakeholders including government decision-makers, energy sector actors, academia as well as civil society and other interested stakeholders.

Registration for the webinars is now open.

Introduction to green finance and green bonds – 24 March Register now

Government bonds issuance to support national green programmes – 7 April Register now

Green bonds issuance on national and municipal level to support just transition – 21 April Register now

Green bonds supporting investments in sustainable buildings – 5 May Register now

Green bonds supporting investments in the energy sector – 19 May Register now

Setting up an ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) strategy and including ESG-aspects in financial operations – 2 June Register now

Source: Energy Community

Experience That Pushes the Boundaries

Foto: Bojan Džodan
Photo: Bojan Džodan

A short trip by electric car around Serbia in 2022 should not be a problem, especially considering that this type of transport is highly developed in other European countries. We did a little experiment, and first-hand impressions follow. I set off on a journey in a world champion, an elegant and fast Jaguar, which has not only a range of less than 400 km in city conditions but also a battery that you can charge with a power of 100 kW. This information is very important for those who are considering buying an electric vehicle and have a sufficiently large purchasing power and a developed awareness of the environment. Right at the beginning, I want to mention that there are several fast chargers installed in Serbia that are in the network of charge&GO and that this company announced that it would install a significant number of fast chargers in the first half of this year.

Our leading actor, the Jaguar I-Pace, is more than four and a half meters long and over two meters wide. It is very stable because the batteries are placed “in the floor” of the vehicle, and the trunk is slightly raised and shallower, but quite a decent size, precisely because of the position of the batteries. When designing, they considered the aerodynamics, so this model has a tunnel that connects the radiator grille and the cut part on the hood as in race cars. Overall, the Jaguar I-Pace is spacious, very agile, has excellent response, is easy to drive, and has parking assistance that works perfectly.

With this kind of foreknowledge, i decided with great enthusiasm to check what it would look like if the proud owner of an I-Pace model should arrive at a business meeting in Niš.

My new colleague Milica and a great photographer, kept me company. Without them, this adventure would not be complete. Of course, we did not even think we would surpass our friends Andrej Kulundžić or Mladen Alvirović, who ruled this genre without peers. We are a completely different team because of the two of us. Surely you have not seen many girls participate in this activity, which traditionally belongs to the male population.

Considering the current restrictions, namely the insufficient number of fast chargers, we had to plan this venture precisely, considering that the electric car’s range varies considerably depending on whether it is driven in the city or on the open road.

During the first day, we drove through Belgrade and did not encounter any obstacles. Every busy woman, a mother with children or a girl who leads an intense social life, can be a proud owner of an electric Jaguar without any problems, without thinking for days about charging the vehicle, even in winter conditions when battery efficiency drops by some 30 percent. In urban conditions, your best friend is the regenerative energy that recharges the batteries with each release of gas, which means that city crowds and “go-stop” driving finally have their advantages.

We did not test the speed of this vehicle in the city, but it turned out exceptionally well on the highway. Regardless of the current winter conditions, there is no problem when you drive a four-wheeler with the “Car of the Year” award. Of course, to reduce battery consumption, you need to turn off the air conditioning. The advantage of this beauty is that it will successfully warm you up in the winter days even when the air conditioning is not switched on, and we can confirm it.

We decided to take the first break for coffee and croissants at the Gazprom Petrol gas station in Velika Plana, on the Belgrade-Niš highway, because one of the fast chargers is located there. While we drank coffee, answered emails, and made several calls, we recharged the battery to 93 percent and carelessly continued our journey to Niš.

It turned out that the coffee break, and the recharging of the battery, was a good idea because an unexpected thing happened to us on the charger owned by the PE “Roads of Serbia”. We had a little more than 10 percent of the battery, which, fortunately, more precisely with good strategic planning, remained at the moment when, for some reason, the charger did not recognize our car, so we could not recharge. That was already the reason for the tension in the car to increase slightly, so we were already thinking about returning to Belgrade.

However, we also tried to see an alternative. We researched where there are at least slow chargers in Niš to partially recharge the battery during the meetings if we happen to be “not recognized” again by the charger located on the highway in the opposite direction. We found ourselves in an awkward situation in Niš because not everything is exactly as the Almighty Google says. Namely, hotels that should have chargers for electric cars do not have them, so we additionally spent the battery driving from one hotel to another until we remembered that ProCredit Bank in Niš has its slow charger. Thanks to the friendly staff of the bank, we managed to recharge the battery for about ten percent completely free of charge, which meant a lot to us at that moment.

Photo: Bojan Džodan

We have learned from this situation: you should always check by phone whether these chargers exist; otherwise, you will waste your battery unnecessarily looking for them. The second and more important lesson would be to summarize: rely solely on reliable charger maps that are part of the application.

After the meetings, we headed slowly towards Belgrade. The first stop was at the fast charger rest area near Nais, right after the Gazprom Petrol gas station. This time we were lucky because the charger “recognized” us, and we were able to fully recharge the battery, without any difficulties, up to 97 percent.

Although my companions secretly complained that we were waiting so long, I also kept silent on my own; more precisely, I ensured our return to the charger in Vrčin without stress. In addition, my “experiment” succeeded – we arrived from Nais to Vrčin without additional charging! Although it was not full, this electric four-wheeler arrived in Belgrade without any problems and with another 11 per cent of the remaining battery. If we convert it into kilometers, it is about thirty kilometers, which was quite enough for me to get to my apartment on Autokomanda.

The absence of engine hum and the perfect comfort of the leather seats gave the additional atmosphere on this trip. Jaguar I-Pace also features an excellent Meridian sound system and two screens – the upper one with the Infotainment system, where you can find all the necessary information, including a display of the current battery capacity in the MyEV option. You can choose between three driving modes: ECO, NORMAL and DYNAMIC, which also adjusts the ambient lighting from soothing blue or green to red, and by switching to DYNAMIC, the sound is slightly enhanced. In this model, you sit low, just like real sports cars, and the visibility is satisfactory. Driving an electric car all day is not strenuous, which means that, for example, there is no excessive brake use because you can slow down with good control of the accelerator pedal, which contributes to optimal battery consumption.

Considering that i had the opportunity to drive several electric cars on shorter distances than this trip, i must admit that i am thrilled with the Jaguar I-Pace. I was able to drive 130 km/h on the highway and cover about 200 km without any problems, yet I am not cold, which has always been my fear. Somehow, before, I always drove electric cars in extreme conditions. Still, Jaguar lived up to all expectations.

Thanks to the development of the charge&GO charger network, which will receive a significant increase in the number of installed fast chargers this year, we know that driving an electric vehicle will be much safer, easier, and simpler!

Until then, don’t forget to plan your trip in an electric vehicle on time and be sure to drive them in ECO mode. If you decide on the royal brand, you won’t need many coffee breaks, and those breaks will probably be shorter!

Prepared by: Nevena Đukić

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ELECTROMOBILITY.