When the Plain Grows Green

23.04.2022

ravnica-njiva — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Chris Spalton)

Numerous accomplished renewable energy projects (RES), as well as those that are still in their infancy, are proof of Vojvodina’s potential in this sector. We discussed with Ognjen Bjelić, the provincial secretary for energy, construction and transport, whether there is possibility for development of every type of RES on the plain, what investors can expect and what projects are currently in progress.

EP: The territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina has proven to be an extremely suitable area for the development of RES projects. Out of 398 MW, 397.5 MW is in the territory under your jurisdiction, and many more gigawatts are in the process of instalment. Do you know how many permits and require- mentsthe PS has issued?

Ognjen Bjelić: The stated data of 397.5 MW refers to the installed power of wind farms built in the territory of the AP of Vojvodina. Along with it, we must not forget other sources, especially the developing biogas plants. The Provincial Secretariat issues construction permits for power plants above 10 MW and for facilities above 50 m. More than 200 different requests of RES investors have been resolved in the previous period, and it is interesting that there are many investors who are just getting ready to begin with the construction, which shows that electricity production in Vojvodina will be significantly increased.

EP: During the last few months, we have witnessed that a suspicion has been raised of the need to invest in RES, what is your position on the matter?

Ognjen Bjelić: I’d say that there is no doubt that we are in need for the investment, rather there are different views on the role of public companies and state institutions in this process. Having different opinions is a positive thing and will certainly lead to more potential solutions from which it will be possible to choose the best one for our country. There are problems and the solution certainly lies in adjusting the electric power system to the increase of the share of renewable energy sources. I believe that public companies and institutions will find a model through which the burden of that adjustment will not endanger the electricity stability of the system, which will give investors clear guidelines regarding the direction of the planned development in electricity production.

In focus:

EP: What energy potentials does Vojvodina have?

Ognjen Bjelić: The Provincial Secretariat prepared the Geothermal Atlas of Vojvodina, as well as the Study on Geothermal Potentials of Vojvodina, whilst through cooperation on the GOSPEL project, the potential places for the development of deep geothermal energy were identified. Three zones in Vojvodina offer great opportunities for heat production by exploiting geothermal fluid at a minimum temperature of 55-60 °C. When the temperature levels are sufficient, this heat may be converted into electricity. These areas include the towns of Subotica, Sremska Mitrovica and Kikinda. The first two were chosen because of the possibility of thermal energy valorisation, and the last one for the possibility of producing electricity from a geothermal source.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Karsten Würth)

In the field of solar energy, a Study on the Assessment of the Total Solar Potential with a Solar Atlas has been prepared. The number of sun hours in Vojvodina ranges from slightly less than 2,000 hours (western part) to 2,100 hours (eastern part) per annum. During the following period, the Secretariat will be committed to the improvement of data at the level of micro-locations, i.e. to the development of local cadastres (or registrars) in which locations will be processed, from the aspect of solar energy, documentation planning and connection possibilities. This way, investors will be given a clear picture of the potential and profitability of the investments.

Locks on the river Tisa, as well as the sluices on the DTD Hydro system, have potential for hydropower plants’ deve- lopment, not to mention the use of crop residues and corn as biofuel, since their potential is obvious.

EP: Apart from RES projects, there is also thermal power plant Pančevo in Vojvodina. What is the significance of that infrastructure facility?

Ognjen Bjelić: Thermal power plant Pančevo is a steam-gas thermal power plant with a capacity of 200 MW that is natural gas-fired power plant. This investment is significant due to its capacity and the increase in the share of gas power plants in the power system. Gas power plants are one of the transnational solution options and currently they also serve as a support for the conventional coal – fired thermal power plants. The Provincial Government has good cooperation with the EBRD in terms of energy efficiency. Recently, a document was signed suggesting energy efficiency improvement in eighty buildings.

The Provincial Secretariat, in cooperation with the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, has prepared detailed energy audits for 94 facilities, concurrently with the process of drafting detailed energy audits. At the end of last year, the Assembly of Vojvodina adopted the text of Pre Financing Agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which defined conditions for contracting loans and implementation of energy rehabilitation projects, thus defining the framework for contracting loans and withdrawing donations. In the next month, in cooperation with the EBRD, we will start developing conceptual solutions for 80 public buildings, and upon the completion of the conceptual solutions, the procedure of selecting the contractor who will prepare the preliminary design, obtain a decision on approval for works and carry out energy rehabilitation of the facility, will commence. The manner of conducting the procedure will be proposed by the consultants, according to the procedures of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Interviewed by: Danijela Isailović

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

The Solution For the Future of Sustainable Transport

22.04.2022

The world’s metropolises are taking sure steps to improve and accelerate the complete transition to electric vehicles with innovative solutions. Intensive work on the promotion of electric vehicles, affects the growth of the number of these cars that we find more and more on the streets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), about three million electric cars were sold in 2020. There was also a turnaround, as for the first time Europe overtook China, which has been the world’s largest market for these vehicles so far.

There is optimism in the competent institutions in our country. Subsidies for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to continue to contribute to the further development of electromobility.

In order for drivers of electric cars to participate in traffic without hindrance, it is necessary to develop the accompanying charging infrastructure. As the number of electric vehicles grows, so does the need for more electric chargers. This was recognized by the company charge&GO, which in partnership with Enel X, a member of the global business line of the Enel Group, is working on the development of this network.

Enel Group is one of the leaders in energy transformation, both in Europe and in the world. They are recognizable by the fact that they create simple, easily acceptable and efficient solutions from complex technologies that enable sustainable growth and development. Such solutions include Enel X electric chargers.

Unique solutions under the ENEL X brand, based on the principles of the circular economy, provide customers in many countries with an alternative model that respects the principles of environmental protection. Chargers get the necessary energy from renewable energy sources, while the parts can be reused. Thus, many Enel X chargers in Italy, which are owned by this company, are powered exclusively by green energy sources. The expert team of this company is working on innovative solutions for the reuse of lithium-ion batteries to reduce pollution caused by their disposal.

In focus:

Enel X – Smart charging solutions for electric vehicles

The 22 kW JuiceBox charger is a safe and compact charging solution. An additional benefit is that this charger is made of recycled plastic. LEDs allow the user to always clearly see the charging status of their electric car.

Among Enel X’s latest innovations is the state-of-the-art JuicePole charger, which allows two electric vehicles to 71 charge their batteries up to 40 percent in just 30 minutes. Charging session data is available on the clear LED screen at all times, and RFID identification technology allows users to authorize on the charger using an RFID smart card.

In our country, charge&GO is working on equipping the FCA Serbia dealer network with the chargers of our partner Enel X. The new Juice Box model PRO Enel X chargers are installed at their dealers, AutoGarant in Preljina and Auto Mig in Nis.

AutoGarant has two Juice Box PRO models of 22 kW and Juice Box PRO cellular – 7.4 kW. While in Auto Mig there is Juice Box PRO cellular – 22 kW, as well as two models Juice Box model PRO – 22 kW.

Among the car dealers who have installed chargers of this company are AK Kompresor, Auto kuća-Kole, AK Stojanov Novi Sad, Nikom auto Kragujevac and others.

We remind you that the company FCA Serbia in Kragu- jevac also installed the Enel X electric charger in the area of its factory.

While the network of these innovative chargers for electric vehicles of a well-known Italian brand is expanding in our country, we expect a big step forward this year when it comes to the number of electric vehicles on our roads. Judging by the interest of our citizens in subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles, it seems that we will witness that turn towards the electric future on domestic roads.

Prepared by: Tamara Zjačić

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

A Key Lever For Acceleratinf EV Adoption

21.04.2022

The introduction of smart EV charging infrastructure is becoming a global goal of essential importance for the whole world, thus accelerating this trend, and using its benefits for both consumers and the environment.

Building the smart and decentralized energy system implies the introduction of a reliable EV charging infrastructure, bearing in mind that it is planned to install 300 to 500 million EV connectors by 2040. To achieve this goal, most global policies focus on the deployment of public charging infrastructure. It is essential to assess the potential added value of applying smart EV charging technology in private buildings for EV drivers, system operators, and other stakeholders are given that around 90 per cent of EV chargers installed by 2040 will be in private environments.

In focus:

The multiple benefits of smart EV charging in buildings

To assess the benefits of smart chargers, the Schneider Electric TM Sustainability Research Institute has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of installing local smart EV charging technology in households, multifamily, and commercial buildings. Our research finds that, for consumers and system operators, the benefits of such an approach are striking. The results highlight that:

Smart EV charging stations for electric vehicles are more often installed in buildings, as they are on average more accessible to consumers than in public places
If we compare to public EV charging costs, smart EV charging can generate savings of up to 70 per cent for consumers especially if paired with time-of-use tariffs, demand charges, and the implementation of distributed power generation infrastructure (such as onsite solar). Using a load management system allows for additional savings which can be further increased.
The benefits of EV charging are magnified by the provision of grid and system services, highlighting the value of having a fully smart and bidirectional charging strategy.
Implementing smart charging technology in buildings increases the resilience of local and global grids, while also helping avoid the need for large, expensive associated infrastructure investments.
In the end, smart EV charging in buildings is a source of reducing CO2 emissions by more than public charging or uncontrolled charging.

A thoughtful policy approach is required

Significant benefits are immeasurable, however, well-designed strategies are needed to achieve them:

1. The promotion of EV charging at buildings removing all existing barriers.

2. Reducing the cost of smart EV charging for consumers by introducing two-tariff calculation of the time of use of electricity and increasing the self-consumption of electricity produced via distributed generation.

3. Better access to grid and system services for EVs to support the transformation of energy systems.

Decarbonisation of transport, buildings and global energy systems are the fields most associated with the implementation of smart EV charging. When coupled with flexible sources and loads within buildings, it also has the potential to provide important additional benefits for consumers and system operators.

This combination provides a more efficient and economically attractive proposition than centralized paradigms – and is an important first step towards the convergence of Mobility, Energy and the Urban transformation. To answer the needs of smart EV charging Schneider Electric has developed EcoStruxure ™ EV Charging Expert as EV charging infrastructure load management system, access management and supervision solution.

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

These young, global leaders are building a sustainable and inclusive future

21.04.2022

rad_mladi_projekat_sastanak — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (You X Ventures)

Each year, the Forum of Young Global Leaders goes through a rigorous selection process to identify, select and celebrate remarkable leaders under-40 from different communities and industries worldwide.

These young leaders exemplify what we need most today: hope, empathy, authenticity and driving solutions that change the world for the better.

This kind of effective leadership has never been needed more: The latest UN report on climate change warned that it is “now or never” to reverse human-induced global warming from carbon emissions. And, after two years of a global pandemic, growing geopolitical tensions and deepening social fractures demand scalable and coordinated action.

These challenging times are an opportunity for leaders to demonstrate their role in responsibly improving the state of the world.

Young Global Leaders (YGLs) class of 2022 is gender-equal and has representatives from 42 countries. We asked 10 of them to share their thoughts on how leaders can use their influence to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.

You can read their answers HERE.

Source: World Economic Forum

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rural Agribusinesses Cluster Together to Flourish

20.04.2022

poljoprivreda-farmer-agro-kupus-povrće-sadnja-zemljoradnik-bašta — Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (PHÚC LONG)

Vibrant rural economies emerge when farms and small businesses work closely together, pooling resources and advocating as a group about the issues that matter to them. Yet in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), small family farms too often operate in isolation. By themselves, they often lack the resources, knowledge or skills they need to thrive.

IFAD is bringing small-scale farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and other agriculture stakeholders in BiH into clusters to work together for their common interests. We caught up with Violeta Lemic, a technical specialist for IFAD, to learn how clusters work and why they matter.

What is a cluster anyway?

A cluster is a way for businesses to come together to share resources, implement initiatives and advocate for the interests they share. Other platforms bring together stakeholders who operate in a specific part of the value chain, such as producer organizations. But in clusters, the members come from across the value chain.

Clusters group stakeholders by geography. A typical cluster might contain farmers, cooperatives and producer organizations, suppliers of inputs, buyers, financial and technical agents, agricultural authorities, universities and local municipalities, who are all located in a specific region. They have different strengths and resources, but they’re all invested in shared prosperity.

When the RCDP project team discussed this idea with small-scale farmers and other stakeholders in BiH, they soon saw its value. The farmers themselves established and registered clusters. It’s been a bottom-up initiative.

Clusters can also help organize farmers into cooperatives. This is especially important in BiH, where small-scale farmers often work in isolation. In fact, clusters have already led to the establishment of five farming cooperatives, and consolidated 12 more. Together, these have organized a network of 700 farmers.

What do these clusters actually do?

Clusters vary in size and scope, but I’ll give you an example to illustrate how they operate.

The Gradiška Laktaši Srbac (or GLS) cluster, in northern BiH, has 12 members: five SMEs, three producer organizations representing multiple farmers, one farming cooperative (again, with several members), and three farm businesses. The cluster meets regularly to collectively plan and implement initiatives designed to increase the competitiveness of its members.

One such initiative relates to blueberries, which are grown by a dozen farmers in the area. The cluster members pooled their resources and arranged for specialized advisory services for the farmers. They also arranged for subsidized inputs, and they collectively launched a promotional campaign with the slogan: “I opt for blueberries – locally produced and fresh.” Demand shot up and the blueberries were sold at very good prices.

Several local brands have even emerged through these clusters. Consumers across BiH now know to look for Slatina tomatoes, Srbac blueberries or Nevesinje potatoes.

What benefits do clusters bring to members?

Through clusters, small-scale farmers and SMEs can do things they couldn’t manage alone, such as negotiating discounts on inputs, marketing their products, or lobbying policymakers.

For example, clustered agribusinesses can share workers amongst themselves. If these businesses were on their own, they might not have been able to offer full-time jobs individually. At the same time, these jobs provide a solution to rural unemployment and migration, which municipalities struggle to deal with. And local universities and extension services benefit from a growing agriculture sector that employs their students and drives policy dialogue on research and innovation.

Clusters are also platforms for advocacy. For example, to qualify for BiH’s agricultural subsidies, plots for growing gherkins had to be at least 0.5 hectares in size – the same as other vegetables. One cluster pointed out that, in reality, no family farm cultivates gherkins on more than 0.2 hectares. The minimum plot size was amended, unlocking subsidies for small-scale gherkin farming. Outside a cluster, gherkin farmers wouldn’t necessarily have had the clout or organization to effectively make this policy argument.

What have you learned from implementing clusters in BiH? And what’s next?

Clusters need government incentives to get started, but they’re most sustainable with a bottom-up approach. At the beginning, we conducted participatory workshops to convince stakeholders to form clusters using democratic decision-making processes.

Maintaining them over time is a challenge, but clusters with paid, full-time managers tend to do better than those that are managed by volunteers. So, we suggest that clusters should tap into income streams like membership fees, donations, public support funds and project proposals.

Right now there are seven clusters across BiH. The smallest has 8 members and the largest, 28 – keeping in mind that a “member” can be something like an SME or cooperative that brings multiple farmers into the network. We’re now positioning clusters as regional development agencies, which allows us to connect stakeholders from different value chains.

Clustering is a great way to formally organize a complex sector like agriculture, promote development and accelerate change. To quote the old proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

Source: IFAD

Ocean Renewables: Powering the Blue Economy

19.04.2022

sunset-vetroelektrane — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Fredrik Öhlander)

Offshore renewables can play a key role in harnessing the benefits of the blue economy for sustainable development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, at the Our Oceans conference held in the western Pacific nation of Palau.

Aimed at highlighting the plight of nations on the frontline of climate change as they grapple with rising sea levels, the two-day conference with over 500 delegates from more than 80 nations taking part, including co-host John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Speaking at a high-level panel discussion themed Creating Sustainable Blue Economies, Mr. La Camera said for SIDS and other vulnerable island nations, the development of the ocean economy holds considerable promise. “Offshore renewables can benefit all sectors of the economy, including tourism, shipping, aquaculture, agriculture, and water desalination,” he added.

Upscaling offshore renewables, including wind, wave, and tidal energy, may also bring major benefits for small island nations in terms of climate change mitigation as well as reduce dependency on fossil fuels imports, Mr. La Camera pointed out.

“Offshore energy systems are well suited to be located near aquaculture farms, as these often consist of a floating structure that is commonly tethered to the seafloor, which could be directly integrated into the aquaculture system,” he added, citing successful case studies from France and Scotland. Presenting the key highlights from IRENA’s recently launched World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022, Mr. La Camera stressed the urgency for strong climate action and the need to accelerate the deployment of renewables.

“The 1.5℃ goal is going to vanish soon if we do not dramatically change the way we do business. We need to urgently work toward replacing coal with renewables and increase the deployment of renewables by three times every year. We see renewable energy providing 65 per cent of the total electricity supply by 2030, respectively from over 25% in 2018,” he said.

Many small island nations have demonstrated an increasing interest in harnessing the opportunities of ocean energy technologies in the recent past. “We see more and more islands across the Caribbean and the Pacific developing strategies and conducting feasibility studies to integrate offshore renewables in their national energy plans. There has never been a better time for renewable energy deployment and development to drive the ocean economy of SIDS, in an achievable and sustainable manner,” he added.

Source: IRENA

The UN Biodiversity Conference: The Road to a Bold New Agreement for Nature

18.04.2022

Healthy, biodiverse ecosystems sustain life on Earth by providing air, water and other essential elements. From forests to farmlands to oceans, the planet’s ecosystems are the basis of resources, services and industries.

Despite the value nature provides, it is being degraded at catastrophic rates. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), 75 percent of the Earth’s land and 66 percent of its oceans have been altered by human activity and many essential ecosystem services are eroding. The rate of global change in nature over the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history.

Nature loss has far-reaching consequences. Damaged ecosystems exacerbate climate change by releasing carbon instead of storing it. Rampant development is putting animals and humans in closer contact increasing the risk of diseases like COVID-19 to spread. A recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report found that about 60 percent of human infections are estimated to have an animal origin.

To address these issues, government leaders from around the world will convene in Kunming, China later this year for the UN Biodiversity Conference (also known as the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP-15). They are set to agree upon new goals for nature through the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

“This year’s UN Biodiversity Conference is an opportunity to strike a landmark agreement to guide global actions through 2030 to achieve a nature-positive world, one where society halts and reverses the loss of biodiversity. The world needs to take concrete steps to shift our unsustainable consumption and production patterns to ones that allow both people and the planet to thrive,” said Doreen Robinson, UNEP’s Head of Biodiversity and Land.

In the lead up to the event, negotiators met in Geneva, Switzerland for two weeks in March. While a final agreement will not be adopted until world leaders reconvene later this year in Kunming, the Geneva meetings were critical for negotiations on establishing goals and targets that will end up in the final agreement and for supporting the enabling conditions to implement the framework, including financial resources, capacity building, monitoring and accountability systems and other areas.

We spoke to Robinson, who attended the Geneva meetings on behalf of UNEP, about the key elements needed to ensure a robust Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Adopting an ambitious agreement for nature action

First and foremost, the conference later this year needs to culminate in countries finalizing negotiations and adopting an inclusive post-2020 framework. The current draft framework includes 21 action targets to be completed by 2030.

Effective protection of lands and oceans

A successful agreement would include effective conservation and management of more of our land, inland waters and oceans. The draft framework currently includes a target to conserve and protect significant areas of land and sea globally. Such targets are only meaningful when they are backed by capacity and resources to implement.

Sustainable use and equitable benefit sharing

Biodiversity sustains all life on earth. Humanity needs to integrate sustainability with economic development and ensure the sustainable use of nature, as well as improvements in equitable sharing of benefits, which can provide strong incentives for conservation while continuing to provide for the well-being of people.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems

Humanity is using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up. Preventing large-scale ecosystem collapse and nature loss will require restoration as well as conservation efforts. Target 2 of the draft agreement aims to ensure a significant portion of degraded ecosystems are under restoration.

Engaging all actors

The wellbeing of the planet depends on everyone coming together for nature, including the private sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, local communities and individuals. The participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making processes related to nature is especially important, as well as the engagement of women, girls and youth.

Closing the finance gap and aligning financial flows

According to UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature Report, the world needs to close a USD 4.1 trillion financing gap in nature by 2050. The current G20 investments in nature amount only to USD 133 billion. The world must close the financing gap, align trillions of dollars in financial flows with nature, and ensure that nature enters into economic and financial decision making.

Delivering the post-2020 framework

Urgent action will be needed to implement the framework at the scale required. An ambitious agreement should include an equally robust implementation plan. Commitments will need to be backed by policy and legislation. Financing, capacity building and technical support for nature will need to be ramped up significantly.

Source: UNEP

GGF And MF Banka Boost Green Finance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

18.04.2022

bosnia_and_herzegovina_nature_priroda_zelenilo_pogled_view — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has formed a new partnership with MF Banka in Bosnia and Herzegovina to expand access to green finance for small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). A senior loan of 5 million euros will be on-lent by the bank to businesses that want to implement energy efficiency and resource efficiency measures, as well as small scale renewable energy projects.

MF Banka is part of Mikrofin Group, which has been a GGF partner since 2018. MF Banka plays an important role in serving the lower SME market segment, and with its extensive network and vast experience in financing energy and resource efficiency measures, the bank is well positioned to offer diverse green products to its large client base. This investment will be used predominantly to finance energy efficiency measures in manufacturing, specifically wood processing and food processing, construction, as well as transport.

“We are proud of this new partnership with MF Banka as we believe it will strengthen our outreach amongst SMEs and corporate clients in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while simultaneously advancing our mission to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy across the region”, said GGF Chairman Olaf Zymelka.

“We are aware of the impact of energy efficiency on the environment, but we know that the intensity of its implementation directly depends on financial precondition. Thanks to the GGF, which recognized MF Bank as a reliable partner, we will have the opportunity to provide more favorable and affordable ‘green’ loans for most of our SME clients,” said Bojan Luburic, President of Management Board MF Bank.

About the GGF

The Green for Growth Fund invests in measures designed to cut energy use and CO2 emissions, and improve resource efficiency in 19 markets across Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Moldova, the Middle East and North Africa. The fund provides such financing directly to renewable energy projects, corporates and municipalities or indirectly via selected financial institutions. The GGF’s Technical Assistance Facility maximizes the fund’s investment impact through support for capacity building at local financial institutions and partners.

The GGF was initiated as a public-private partnership in December 2009 by Germany’s KfW Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, with financial support from the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Austrian Development Bank (OeEB).

The fund’s growing investor base comprises donor agencies, international financial institutions and institutional private investors, including the International Finance Corporation, the Dutch development bank FMO, and the German ethical bank GLS. The GGF is advised by Finance in Motion GmbH. MACS Energy & Water GmbH, Frankfurt am Main acts as the technical advisor.

Source: Green For Growth Fund

Speed Up Green Transition to Break From Russian Fossil Fuels, Say 11 EU Countries

17.04.2022

oil-802209_960_720 — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Europe must speed up the rollout of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to eleven EU countries.

The invasion of Ukraine put a spotlight on Europe’s dependency on Russian fossil fuel, particularly gas, and has led to calls for the EU to quickly decrease its reliance on its hostile neighbour.

“We need a swift transition to renewable energy, as an affordable and secure energy source that will contribute to shield consumers from price hikes as a consequence of import dependency,” according to a joint statement signed by Austria, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia, the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia.

There are also concerns about how much money Europe sends Russia in return for energy supplies. Since the war broke out, the EU has sent 35 billion euros to Russia for its energy compared to 1 billion euros for Ukraine’s defence, Europe’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said this week.

To reduce Europe’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels and meet the EU’s climate goals, the 11 countries call on their fellow leaders to “be bold” and “move ahead with determination with the green transition”.

“The EU has shown historic unity and taken decisive action in response to Russia’s aggressive behaviour,” reads the joint statement.

“We must maintain the same unity and determination in order to become independent of Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible through accelerating the green transition towards climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 at the latest,” it continues.

They call on EU leaders to unite in their negotiations on the Fit for 55 package, tabled in July to reform Europe’s climate policy and ensure “an ambitious and swift implementation of it”.

This includes creating an “open and interconnected market-driven EU internal energy market” to minimise price shocks in the EU from supply disruptions and a strong emissions trading scheme.

“This is key to making the EU fit for energy independence of Russian fossil fuels and the only way we can address the climate crisis, respond to aggressive Russian behaviour, and ensure a clean, reliable and cheap independent EU energy supply for the future,” according to the joint statement.

The 11 countries add that Europe should avoid locking itself into fossil fuels and remain on track for net-zero emissions in 2050.

This has been a concern as Europe looks for short term alternatives to Russian gas, like liquified natural gas (LNG) from the US. There has been a call to build up Europe’s LNG infrastructure, drawing criticism from environmental groups.

Source: EURACTIV.com

EBRD Lends EUR 20 Million to Upgrade Bosnia’s Electricity Transmission Grid

16.04.2022

električna energija - struja — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Fre Sonneveld)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending EUR 20 million to Elektroprenos-Elektroprijenos (also known as TransCo), Bosnia and Herzegovina’s transmission system operator, for the modernisation and upgrading of its core telecommunications systems.

This will help TransCo improve the efficiency and management of its electricity substations and distribution systems, leading to reduced grid electricity losses, improved system reliability, and increased readiness for integrating additional intermittent renewable energy capacity, thereby resulting in lower carbon emissions in the Country.

“The project’s digital element is an important part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s drive towards decarbonising its energy system,” said Mark Bowman, EBRD Vice-President, Policy and Partnerships, who was present at the signing in Sarajevo. “The project is also expected to be a step forward towards the improved integration of Western Balkans regional electricity markets, helping improve the cross-border trade and allocation of electricity transmission capacity via the optimised management of the transmission network.” The loan agreements were signed by Manuela Naessl, EBRD Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The country is looking to increase the share of renewable energy in its generation mix before 2030, and is currently going through a legislative and consultative process on how to deliver on climate commitments, which include climate neutrality by 2050 and 33.2 percent greenhouse gas reduction by 2030.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s transmission grid infrastructure urgently needs investment to allow it to absorb increased quantities of intermittent renewables and make it capable of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals on limiting global warming to 1.5C by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

This project forms a key part of TransCo’s long-term capital investment plan for 2022-2028, and will enable the company to make full use of its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.

A leading climate investor, the EBRD aims to align all its operations with the goals of the Paris Agreement by 2023 and make more than half its investments green by 2025.

The EBRD has worked extensively in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support restructuring and expansion of the local private sector, forging closer linkages with wider regional markets and promoting more efficient and sustainable use of resources. The EBRD has invested EUR 2.78 billion in 193 projects in the country.

Source: EBRD

IEA: Global natural gas demand set to decline slightly in 2022

15.04.2022

appliance-gas — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (PublicDomainPictures)

The world’s demand for natural gas is set to decline slightly in 2022. as a result of higher prices and market disruptions caused by war in Ukraine, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest quarterly update.

The expected small contraction in global gas demand compares with the IEA’s earlier forecast of one per cent growth in the previous quarterly update published in January. The downward revision to the forecast amounts to 50 billion cubic meters, the equivalent of about half of last year’s US liquefied natural gas exports. Global natural gas consumption grew by 4.5 per cent in 2021.

War in Ukraine has added further pressure and uncertainty to an already tight natural gas market, especially in Europe. While there are no legal restrictions on importing Russian natural gas to the European Union at this point, the war has pushed EU governments to seek to reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports as quickly as possible. The IEA published a 10-Point Plan on 3 March outlining a suite of measures to reduce the volume of Russian gas imports into Europe by over a third within a year while remaining consistent with the EU’s climate ambitions.

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Spot gas prices have soared to record highs as Europe’s push for more diversified natural gas supply has intensified demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, with some being diverted away from Asia. Average spot LNG prices in Asia during the 2021-22 heating season were more than four times their five-year average. In Europe, spot LNG prices were five times their five-year average, in spite of a mild winter.

The prices were also boosted by Russia’s moves, even before war in Ukraine, to drastically reduce short-term gas sales to Europe, which had left European storage levels 17 per cent below their five-year average at the start of the European heating season.

Source: IEA

Record Heat Sends Sea Ice Into Retreat, Worrying Scientists

15.04.2022

antarctica-led — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Roxanne Desgagnes)

The recent collapse of a 1,100km2 ice shelf in Antarctica came at a time of record high temperatures and is a symptom of a planet in a climate crisis, experts say.

The Conger ice shelf, which cleaved away from the eastern side of Antarctica in March, is the latest victim of rising temperatures at the Earth’s poles. Experts say as the polar regions warm, more ice is likely to melt, potentially pushing up sea levels and inundating coastal communities.

“The current concentration of greenhouse gasses is higher than at any time in human history. It’s a very worrying signal,” said Pascal Peduzzi, Director of the Global Resource Information Database (GRID) – Geneva. GRID-Geneva is a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the University of Geneva.

The temperature at Vostok Weather Station in the central part of Antarctica in March normally averages -53°C. But between March 16 and March 20, around the time the ice shelf is believed to have collapsed, the temperature was on average 35°C warmer, hitting a balmy-for-Antarctica -18°C on March 17. The heat wave is part of a warming trend being recorded globally.

Satellite imagery, which dates back five decades, shows sea ice at both poles is in retreat. On February 21, 2022, Antarctic sea ice, which has until recently been stable, reached its minimum since measurements began in 1979.

The situation is much more dramatic at the opposite side of the planet. Forty years ago sea ice in the Arctic was typically three to four meters thick. Today, it is around 1.5 metres, according to a recent UNEP report, the Foresight Brief. Thinner ice and more open water lead to increased absorption of sunlight and increased melting in summer. Since 1979 around 50 percent of summer sea ice coverage has been lost.

“There has been a significant sea ice loss, especially in the last 20 years,” said Tore Furevik, a Director at the Nansen Environment and Remote Sensing Centre and a co-author of the Foresights Brief. “Sea ice loss indicates a climate that is getting warmer and warmer and is not in balance. The only way to stop this trend is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”

Melting sea ice leads to changes in the marine ecosystem, ocean circulation and weather events. In both the Arctic and Antarctica, warmer ocean water contributes to the melting of ice sheets. While Arctic melting doesn’t lead to a significant rise in sea levels, as the ice is already in the water, melting of Greenland or Antarctic ice will as it sits on land.

Key to curbing melting sea ice and ice sheets is mitigating climate change and keeping temperature rises in line with the Paris Agreement. As part of the pact, Member States committed to limiting global warming to well below 2°C, and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. If the world meets its current climate-related pledges, the planet will still warm by at least 2.7°C, warns UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report by the end of the century, while the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report indicates that the median global warming will be 3.2°C by 2100.

“We need to take the climate crisis more seriously,” said Peduzzi, “We have less than eight years to cut our emissions by half. This is not going to happen without a major reconfiguration of all the main sectors.”

UNEP has proposed what it calls a Six-Sector Solution to the climate crisis. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a half-dozen industries: energy, industry, agriculture and food, forests and land use, transport, buildings and cities. The report outlines how these six sectors can deliver more than 30Gt of emissions reductions and help to keep temperature rise in line with the Paris Agreement.

The United Nations has also released the ActNow campaign, which guides people on the individual choices they can make to limit global warming and reduce climate change.

In March 2022, UNEP launched an updated version of its data, information and knowledge platform called the World Environment Situation Room. There is a dedicated module on climate change, which includes daily updated graphs on the extent of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice. The webpage also highlights temperature anomalies and has a vast amount of data explaining and monitoring climate change.

This month, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said “that we are on a fast track to climate disaster.”

Peduzzi finds there is apathy around climate change as often people don’t realize the massive impact that each degree of warming can have on the planet. He said: “At 1.5°C, sea level rise is contained to 48 cm. At 3°C, sea level would rise by seven metres and marine ecosystems may collapse. At 4°C experts don’t see how adaptation would be possible.”

Source: UNEP

Energy and Climate Committee Discusses Way Forward for 2030 Targets

14.04.2022

solar-solarna-elektrana — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Andreas Gucklhorn)

The 8th Energy and Climate Committee met on 12 April in Vienna, in the presence of the EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson. The meeting provided an opportunity for Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Energy Community Contracting Parties to discuss the process for setting 2030 energy and climate targets. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlović, received the Committee’s endorsement as co-chair, joining in this role previously appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna.

In her remarks, Commissioner Simson underlined the importance that the European Union places on working closely with the Energy Community in order to tackle shared energy challenges. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has highlighted our common vulnerabilities when it comes to security of supply and underlined the need to reduce the dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Ultimately, the best remedy is the clean energy transition, which will not only make our energy systems greener, but also more autonomous. The adoption of ambitious 2030 energy and climate targets is important for putting the Energy Community members on this path.”

In the first session, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, Ministers underlined that the Energy and Climate Committee should play an important role in advancing the process of target negotiations. The Informal Ministerial Council in early July is expected to take stock of the outcome of negotiations that have reached a final stage among the Parties. The Ministerial Council at the end of 2022 is foreseen to adopt the decision on the targets.

During the second part of the meeting, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlović, participants exchanged views on measures to address high energy prices. The ministers reflected on ways to act in a coordinated way and demonstrate solidarity both among Contracting Parties but also with EU Member States. The discussions addressed a number of EU measures for security of supply to be possibly extended to Energy Community Contracting Parties.

Source: Energy Community

The Green Shade of Black Gold

13.04.2022

When we mention NIS, the first thing that comes to mind for most consumers is the production and sale of fuel. However, over the past decade, the domestic oil industry has also been involved in the energy transition.

Namely, in 2012, NIS defined a strategy of growing from an oil company into an energy holding company within which the expansion of the company’s activities in the field of electricity generation began. What did that entail? Certainly, a stronger orientation towards more environmentally friendly projects and more rational use of energy.

This already happened in 2013. when NIS started its cogeneration program – specifically, mini power plants with a total maximum power of 14 MW were built at eight locations in Serbia. In these power plants, in which the company has invested over 20 million euros, thermal energy and electricity are produced from gas, which, due to its lower quality, used to be flared:

“More efficient use of gas resources has contributed to higher energy efficiency with a significant environmental impact. The produced energy is used for the needs of the company, and a part is placed on the free market”, NIS states, noting that the realization of this project enabled the company to enter electricity trading operations, first in Serbia and then on the regional market.

In focus:

From oil to electricity

In addition to cogeneration, NIS is in the process of completion of the most important investment in the segment of electricity generation, which is the TE-TO Pančevo power plant that is being built by the company together with the Russian Gazprom Energoholding. The value of the project is about 180 million euros, while the installed capacity of the plant is up to 200 MW.

As a key player in the domestic market of petroleum products, NIS, following modern energy trends, also introduced the possibility of charging electrically powered cars at its petrol stations:

“Our petrol stations are part of the charge&Go network of electric chargers. Drivers of electric cars can charge them at some of our highway GAZPROM petrol stations – Velika Plana-right, Stari Banovci, Novi Sad 16 and Sokolići 1, which is also the first petrol station on Miloš Veliki Highway. In addition, this service will soon be provided at the latest NIS facility, Zmaj 1 in Belgrade, as well as at the Krnješevci petrol station, on the Belgrade-Zagreb highway”, it is said by NIS.

Higher quantities of cleaner gas

As early as 2016, NIS put into operation the amine gas treatment plant at Elemir, which enabled a significant improvement in the quality of domestic natural gas, as well as an increase in the volume of its production. What is more, the operation of this plant, in which NIS has invested more than EUR 30 million, has significant environmental effects, because the processing method completely prevents carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, thus reducing the “greenhouse” effect.

The Elemir plant is the first HiPACT (High Pressure Acidgas Capture Technology) plant in Europe, and this technology is considered one of the most efficient in the world among the existing methods in the gas treatment process.

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

Clean air saves lives!

13.04.2022

Air pollution increases the risk of pneumonia. This is one of the leading causes of death among children under five years.

By signing the #GreenAgenda, WB countries will have access to non-refundable grants that the EU committed for measures to reduce air pollution.

The countries of the region need to adopt concrete and immediate policies to reduce air pollution, including a gradual phase-out of coal, the introduction of carbon tax and the use of renewable energy sources.

WB needs to act now for clean air!

Act now, join the #BalkansUnitedForCleanAir regional campaign!

European Fund for the Balkans AirCare – Air Quality App Eko forum Zenica RERI BOŠ Policy Lab Ekološki Pokret Ozon sbunker truAktiv Environmental and Territorial Management Institute.

Source: Balkans United For Clean Air

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