ABB’s 2030 and 2050 Science-Based Targets Approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

01.07.2024

ABB_Sustainability_Agenda_-_Pillar_image_-_Enabling_a_low-carbon_society — Photo: ABB

ABB welcomes the approval of its emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As part of the company’s efforts to enable a low-carbon society ABB submitted updated scope 1, 2 and 3 targets for 2030 and 2050 to the SBTi. The approval of ABB’s science-based targets by the SBTi confirms ABB’s approach as science-based in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

The SBTi approved the following ABB targets:

Near term targets

Reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions 80 percent by 2030 versus a 2019 baseline
Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 25 percent by 2030 from a 2022 baseline

Long term targets

Reduce Scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions 100 percent by 2050 versus a 2019 baseline
Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 90 percent by 2050 from a 2022 baseline
Reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050

Anke Hampel, Group Head of Sustainability at ABB, said: “As a technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB is at the core of accelerating the energy transition. We are committed to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050 and have already achieved a 76 percent reduction versus our 2019 baseline. With our new Scope 3 targets we will increase our engagement with our value chain partners on decarbonization whilst providing products and solutions to our customers to enable them to scale-up renewables, increase energy efficiency, electrify processes and reduce emissions. The validation of our updated targets by the Science-Based Targets initiative demonstrates that our ambitions and methodology align with the latest climate science.”

To discover more about the company’s strategy and sustainability performance ABB’s 2023 Integrated and Sustainability reports can be accessed and downloaded here: go.abb/reports

The SBTi Net-Zero Standard is the world’s only framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. It provides the guidance and tools companies need to set science-based net-zero targets.

Source: ABB

Green Transformation of the Republic of Croatia

30.06.2024

croatia-hrvatska — Photo-illustratio: Pixabay (neufal54)

Access to European Union funds provides the Republic of Croatia with the necessary finances for investments in infrastructure construction, as well as green and digital transition. Thanks to this, the country can implement numerous reforms and projects faster and with better quality, boosting its economy and creating new opportunities, especially in green and clean technologies. In an interview for Energy Portal Magazine, Damir Habijan, Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, talked about the green transition, investments in renewable energy sources and how the Republic of Croatia plans to achieve its goals and become climate neutral.

Q: The Republic of Croatia is committed to implementing the Green Plan for Europe, which aims to make the continent climate-neutral by 2050. How do you plan to accomplish your goals?

A: The Republic of Croatia fully supports the implementation of the Green Plan for Europe and is fully committed to making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In this context, all EU Member States started drafting National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) in 2019, which set three main goals related to decarbonization: reduction of CO2, the share of renewable energy sources in final consumption and increase of energy efficiency. All the stated goals are set at the EU level. It should be noted that these goals have been constantly raised during the last five years, both because of the Fit for 55 package and the REPowerEU plan, devised due to the aggression against Ukraine, which largely led to the drastic jump in energy prices. That is why the European Commission has set a clear goal with the REPowerEU plan to rid the EU of its dependence on fossil fuel imports, especially from unreliable partners, as soon as possible. The plan mentioned above boosts the effort related to decarbonization, which, in addition to reducing greenhouse gases, should also reduce the European Union’s dependence on energy imports from third countries.

IN FOCUS:

Q: What does the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience bring, and when will it be implemented?

A: The National Plan for Recovery and Resilience is another important document that envisages a series of reforms and investments that will ensure a green and digital transition and better functioning of the state administration. The document was created based on the EU Regulation and is a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, we, as a state, have highlighted which reforms we consider necessary and proposed activities and investments with which we will implement them. On the other hand, the plan brought significant financial resources, which initiated a series of economic activities. For example, after the NPOO Addendum worth about 4.5 billion euros was approved in December 2023, the total amount of funds we have at our disposal increased from 5.5 to 10 billion euros. That is about 15 per cent of our annual GDP. The significance of this is shown by the fact that this percentage is the highest in the EU; that is, no other member state has agreed on such a high percentage of NPOO funds in relation to their economy size. The Republic of Croatia has received 3.5 billion euros so far. It should be noted that Croatia is among the first three EU countries that sent the fourth request for disbursement of payment under the NPOO auspices, and we expect the payment of an additional 163 million euros in grants soon. I would like to note the example of the energy sector, to which, after the revision of the NPOO, 1.4 billion euros were allocated. A large part of that money is aimed at the green transition. The rest is invested in the security of supply and diversification of sources for Southeast Europe. The green transition is also financed in other sectors, such as water management, waste, etc.

Q: How significant are investments in renewable energy sources?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mike Swigunski)

A: Investments in renewable energy sources (RES) are significant, and considering our geographical position, we have great RES potential. In the southern part of the country, we can see large-scale investments in wind farms and solar power plants, as well as in northern Croatia. Integrated solar power plants, installed on roofs or in the vicinity of houses, other buildings and factories, are particularly important to us. They increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix and ensure the inclusion of individuals and small business owners and their active participation in the energy transition. Equally important are the large hydropower plants that also produce the so-called green electricity. Besides wind, water, and sun, geothermal energy and bioeconomy (biogas and biomass) should also help us with this. Linking biogas and biomass to agricultural production ensures a green transition. In terms of geothermal energy, we have highly favorable conditions for using the geothermal energy accumulated underground in the Pannonian Basin, which has a geothermal gradient as much as 60 per cent higher than the European average. To use this potential as efficiently and effectively as possible, the 2030 Geothermal Potential Development Plan of the Republic of Croatia was drawn up due to the need to ensure the further development and use of domestic renewable potential, which should be utilized more widely in energy transformation for the production of electricity, i.e. for heating and cooling. So, regarding renewable energy sources, the Energy Development Strategy sets a target of at least 2,500 new MW in producing electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Still, thanks in large part to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and our investments in the transmission power grid, I assure you that we will achieve this goal earlier, that is, in 2028.

Interview by Milica Radičević

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

Good Management of Protected Areas Leads to Better Nature Conservation

29.06.2024

ilse-4xBoEgF8ziE-unsplash — Photo: Unsplash (Ilse)

The Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, which deals with the protection and improvement of natural heritage, currently has 472 protected areas in Serbia under its jurisdiction, spanning 762,960 hectares or 8.62 per cent of the territory of our country. Various institutions and organizations can manage protected areas in Serbia, including public and communal municipal companies, cultural centers, tourist and non-governmental organizations, civil sector associations, church dioceses, and individuals in the case of protected trees. The same goes for the quality of management at different levels regarding implementing measures and ensuring the required finances and logistics, as well as personnel and management priorities related to preserving, monitoring, and protecting biodiversity and geodiversity. Understanding the importance of all social actors for the management of protected areas begins with evaluating a specific area during the drafting of the Nature Conservation Study.

Nataša Panić, head of the Department for Educational & Publishing Activities and Communications at the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, says that in addition to the assessment of all the values of the protected areas, an integral part of the mentioned Study is the analysis of the interested public, with a particular emphasis on the population of the future protected area and an assessment of their needs. Reviewing the development plans and initiatives related to the population and local communities is the basis for providing guidelines for the sustainable development of the area and management measures of the protected area.

“Participation of all stakeholders in the protection and development of the future protected area is implemented later through the process of declaring a certain area as protected by conducting a public inspection procedure and having a public discussion related to the Conservation Study and the proposal of the Regulation on the declaration of a certain area as protected. Only based on the consent of all participants in the public inspection and public discussion process can the procedure for declaring the area protected be finalized”, Ms Panić says and adds that after obtaining the status of a protected natural asset and appointing a manager for that particular area, comes further coordination of all social actors in the protection and development of the area by the institution or the organization that has been assigned this function.

She goes on to say that the following are of particular importance in improving the management of protected areas – hiring professional staff who will be multidisciplinary, conducting training, providing the necessary finances and logistics, and facilitating development that will be harmonized with nature without jeopardizing natural values and establishing a partnership with all interested parties. Monitoring and networking with the information systems of various nature conservation institutes and institutions, working on improving the quality of life of local communities, implementation of projects and generating profit for the protected area, but also networking with international partner institutions and programmes and development of eco-tourism infrastructure together with visitors are all important, as are implementation of educational programmes for different target groups and branding of local products that come from the protected area.

IN FOCUS:

Management of natural resources

As part of its activities, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia also assesses if a certain organization or institution meets the staffing and logistical requirements and can propose a manager for the area for which the Conservation Study is being drafted. The work and activities in the protected area, which are related to the conservation, arrangement, maintenance and implementation of protection and development measures, as well as ensuring security services, are carried out based on the Decree on the declaration of conservation and management documents issued, with an assigned manager being responsible for the Decree’s implementation.

“The Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia issues the manager with a list of nature conservation conditions incorporated into the said documents. The manager also cooperates with communal services and relevant inspectors to prevent and eliminate illegal activities in the protected area. The Institute also carries out professional supervision to review the program’s implementation and management plan in accordance with the given nature conservation conditions,” Ms Panić explains.

To fulfil obligations related to the conservation, improvement and promotion of natural and other values and sustainable use of the protected area, the manager must meet the professional, staffing, and organizational requirements according to the Law on Nature Protection and the Rulebook on the prerequisites that the manager of the protected area must meet. According to that Rulebook, the manager must implement organized conservation, improvement and promotion of sustainable development of the protected area and guard service. Good staff and appropriate technical equipment are also needed, both chosen by the manager. The manager is also in charge of implementing the Management Plan, i.e. its scope and type of planned activities, which largely depends on the staff’s skills and technical equipment.

Serbia also has a concept of public-private partnership (PPP), which is not sufficiently developed. Still, based on the model of good area management in the region, PPP is considered a good option.

Prepared by Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

First-Ever Global Renewables Summit Announced to Drive Action to Triple Renewable Power by 2030

28.06.2024

solar — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (karsten-wurth)

The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the governments of Barbados and Kenya, the European Commission, the COP28 and COP29 Presidencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University – SIPA announced the Global Renewables Summit, the first-ever high-level public-private summit to discuss the progress, opportunities, and challenges of tripling renewable energy globally by 2030. The Summit will be held in New York from 23-25 September on the margins of the 79th UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

Following the first Global Stocktake adopted at COP28, and captured in the historic UAE Consensus, which calls for tripling the world’s renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency gains by 2030 and ensuring deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with a pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C in a nationally determined manner, the Summit will serve as a platform to advance key areas of action to scale-up renewable deployment this decade, especially in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The organising partners represent a unique coalition of governments, private sector, philanthropy, international organisations, and academia and demonstrates the collective momentum and drive to accelerate the pace and scale of the transition to renewable energy.

“The historic global renewable target was not plucked from the air. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook projected the need to triple renewable power capacity to over 11,000 GW globally by 2030 for a 1.5°C aligned pathway. Now, we must build on the success of COP28 and mobilize action. As global custodian, IRENA will monitor progress and provide recommendations across energy transition priorities and this first-ever Renewables Summit is an important milestone to maintain momentum and drive implementation towards 2030,” said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

“Transitioning from coal and other fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to solving the climate crisis,” said Antha Williams, who leads the environment program at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

“The world must triple renewable energy by 2030. The deployment and investment levels in emerging and developing economies remains far below the scale and pace needed. Rapidly scaling up deployment in these countries is crucial to curb emissions and protect people’s health and our economies from the worst effects of climate change. Bloomberg Philanthropies look forward to bringing together world leaders and experts to exchange insights and mobilise action to help achieve a clean energy future for all,” she added.

“At COP28, a coalition of private sector, civil society, governments, and multilateral organisations collectively secured a global target to triple renewables by 2030. Now, it’s time for action. Renewable technologies are mature and competitive, and the industries are ready to deliver, but the right policy frameworks and implementation are now urgently required. We are honoured to co-host this unique public-private summit with some of the leading organisations in the world to ignite a worldwide race to the top, accelerating action on finance, permits, grids, and supply chains to unleash the full potential of renewables,” said Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance.

The Summit will feature an opening segment with participation of governments followed by high-level multi-stakeholder roundtables on key topics including access to finance, supply chains, permitting and grid infrastructure. The Summit will provide a space for governments to deliberate on the target of increasing global energy storage six-fold by 2030 and to consider including sectoral renewable energy targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions due in 2025. The organising partners will also present announcements and reports in support of the tripling renewables target.

You can read the entire text here.

Source: IRENA

Negative Bidding Continues to Burden Offshore Wind Development

28.06.2024

vetar — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Nicholas Doherty)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Levan Badzgaradze)

Germany and the Netherlands have recently issued the results of their latest offshore wind auction. They awarded a total capacity of 6.5 GW. That’s good for Europe’s energy transition. But the auction design in both countries included negative bidding. This puts unnecessary additional pressure on offshore wind developers – with adverse consequences for the wider wind energy supply chain and Europe’s electricity consumers.

Germany and the Netherlands have recently awarded 6.5 GW of new offshore wind projects. Germany awarded 2.5 GW and the Netherlands 4 GW. To put this in context the EU has 19 GW of offshore wind in operation today.

The auctions in both countries used negative bidding, where wind farm developers bid the amount of money they’re ready to pay for the right to build a wind farm – and the higher the price you bid the more likely you are to win. Most other countries in Europe use Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions where developers bid the amount of revenue they think they need, and the lowest bid wins.

If you win a negative bidding auction your revenue will be whatever is the wholesale market price of electricity. If you win a CfD auction your revenue will be whatever you bid in the auction, and if the market prices are higher than the agreed strike price, you pay the difference to the Government.

The negative bidding amounts are a straight add-on to the costs of developing an offshore wind farm. It’s extra money the developer has to pay which they don’t pay in a CfD auction. Project developers have to pass on these costs. Either to the wind energy supply chain which is still recovering from supply disruptions and cost increases. And/or to electricity consumers in the form of higher electricity prices.

The auction results

The results of the latest German auction were:

TotalEnergies will pay 1.958bn euros to develop the N-11.2 site which has a capacity of around 1.5 GW. So they’re paying 1.3m euros per MW.
EnBW will pay 1.065bn euros to develop the roughly 1 GW N12.3 site. That’s 1.1m euros per MW.

The results of the latest Dutch auction were:

UK-based SSE Renewables and the Dutch state pension fund APG and ABP will pay €40mn to develop the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Alpha site. That’s 20,000 euros per MW.
Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners will pay 800mn euros to develop the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Beta site. That’s 400,000 euros per MW.

Germany and the Netherlands both used negative bidding in their previous offshore wind auctions already. The Netherlands previously applied a cap on the bids which equated to 70,000 euros per MW – their cap is higher now. Germany doesn’t apply a cap. The winners of their previous auction, BP and Total Energies, are paying 12.6bn euros for the right to develop 7 GW – which equates to 1.8m euros per MW.

Negative bidding also means higher financing costs than you get with wind farms that are awarded in a CfD auction. The latter have fixed revenue, so banks feel much more comfortable offering more debt finance. But projects awarded in a negative bidding auction have variable revenue – the market price of electricity. So they need to rely more on (more expensive) equity finance – though they can mitigate this by signing PPAs with offtakers.

“Negative bidding increases the costs of offshore wind. Costs that have to be passed on to consumers and the wind energy supply chain. It may be a short-term gain for finance ministries. But it’s a long-term cost for society”, says WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.

Non-price criteria

The Dutch auction made extensive use of non-price criteria. For the Alpha site these were about biodiversity protection. For the Beta site it was system integration. The winning bidders made significant commitments to invest in these respective areas. Vattenfall and CIP have among other things committed to build a 1 GW electrolyser facility in Rotterdam which will run on renewable electricity from the Beta site. And the Alpha wind farm is designed as a “living laboratory” – more than 75 per cent of the wind turbines in the wind farm will have artificial reefs for muscles and other maritime animals.

“The Dutch auction shows the European wind industry has a great offering on ecology and system integration. We are building new wind farms and creating lasting value for Europe’s environment and energy system”, says Giles Dickson.

The German auction used price criteria only.

What’s the money used for?

In Germany 90 per cent of the money raised from negative bidding will be used to reduce the grid levies. The other 10 per cent are used to support maritime biodiversity and sustainable fishing practices. OK. But building these wind farms requires a strengthening of Germany’s offshore wind supply chain and an expansion of port capacity. The German Government should consider putting some of the money into that as well.

Source: WindEurope

ABB Investing 35 Million Dollars in New U.K. Earthing and Lightning Protection Factory

27.06.2024

Plot_A2_-_CGI_View_7_ELIP_Nottingham — Photo: ABB

Lightning strikes and electrical surges disrupt critical operations and cause billions of dollars in damage to structures and equipment each year. With growing reliance on electronics and data centers, ABB is investing more than 35 million dollars (27 million pounds), in a greenfield facility in Nottingham, United Kingdom, to meet increased demand for Furse® earthing and lightning protection solutions. The new state-of-the-art site is expected to open in early 2025 and will integrate advanced technology, flexible automation, R&D and testing, and digital processes to boost production capacity and enhance efficiency and sustainability.

More than 100 employees will relocate to the new 9,500 m2 facility from the existing 6,300 m2 ABB Installation Products Nottingham foundry, which has continually operated for over a century in the area where Furse originated in 1893. In addition to an expanded footprint, the site will be constructed in line with the BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainable building standards and include efficient equipment and technology, photovoltaic rooftop cells, electric vehicle charging stations, and processes centered on reducing waste and energy. The space will be designed to support collaboration and training, accelerate R&D, and drive automation to serve European customers and increase available inventory globally.

Worldwide, an estimated 1.4 billion lightning flashes occur annually, equal to over 42 strikes each second. Even indirect lightning strikes up to a kilometer away can create transient overvoltages and have devastating consequences such as fire, shock hazards, equipment damage and costly outages, resulting in downtime and financial losses. Furse solutions from ABB Installation Products are engineered to provide reliable earthing, lightning risk, and electronic systems and surge protection, helping safeguard structures and the electrical systems within. The products are used in more than 20 countries across a broad range of applications and environments, from data centers and medical facilities to essential infrastructure, utilities and renewable energy.

“This important investment builds on 130 years of Furse technology, enabling us to remain at the forefront of earthing and lightning protection and deliver solutions that improve safety and reliability for our customers. As part of our global growth strategy, we continue to expand our capabilities and capacity, further strengthening ABB’s manufacturing footprint and supply chain and regionalizing production of high-demand electrical solutions customers, installers and distribution partners need,” said Khalid Mandri President, ABB Installation Products Division. “Building this site in Nottinghamshire further reinforces our commitment to the industries we serve and to the community where we have operated for more than a century and want to continue to be a leading employer.”

The UK investment adds to more than 165 million dollars in ABB Installation Products global expansions and improvements since 2020 to increase manufacturing capacity, drive innovation and sustainability, and bring needed products closer to customers. ABB Installation Products currently has six locations in Europe in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland and the UK where it employs more than 100 associates in Nottingham who develop, test and produce a broad range of Furse solutions. The new campus will occupy nearly five acres in Fairham Business Park, within close proximity of ABB’s existing Wilford Road site and is accessible for employees, customers, suppliers and distribution partners.

“We are continually advancing solutions across electrification, and the earthing and lightning protection lifecycle. Our new facility is a leap forward in design and technology, positioning us for the future while enabling us to preserve resources and reduce energy and water consumption aligned with circularity and sustainability priorities across ABB’s operations,” stated Andrea Castella, Europe Region Leader, ABB Installation Products.

Building on its long history of pioneering in electrification, ABB Installation Products creates solutions to safely connect and protect electrical systems that power businesses, cities, homes and transportation. With more than 200,000 products under 38 premium brand names, ABB Installation Products, formerly Thomas & Betts, solutions are found wherever electricity is used around the world and in space.

Source: ABB

Charge&GO Pushes the Boundaries of E-Mobility

26.06.2024

Charge&GO continues to expand its network of chargers, accelerating the pace as the summer season approaches. The charging infrastructure is the foundation on which the future of electromobility is built, which is why improving the charger map in Serbia and the region is entirely in line with global trends.

The company Charge&GO recently added new chargers for electric CHARGE&GO PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF E-MOBILITY vehicles to its network and announced exciting plans for this year, especially for tourists going to the sea via North Macedonia in an electric car this summer. Some of the new chargers are already operational and available to users, while the rest will soon be on the Charge&GO map.

A 120-kilowatt charger was recently installed at the OMV gas station on the bypass near Surčin, while a 150-kilowatt charger will be put into operation on the other side of the highway, also at the OMV gas station, by the end of April. Some time ago, a 45-kilowatt charger was put into operation at the OMV gas station in Zaječar. That’s not all; the plan is to install another 60-kilowatt charger in the parking lot of the BIG shopping center in Rakovica this spring.

To conclude, two DC chargers, one in the vicinity of Belgrade and the other in Zaječar, are already online, and the other two will be operational as soon as possible.

IN FOCUS:

Safe travel throughout Europe

When developing infrastructure, the standardization of chargers is essential, which is why the European Union is working to solve this issue to facilitate international travel. When it comes to traveling to other countries, one of the company’s innovations is that registered users have a roaming platform, the largest of its kind in Europe.

With the help of this platform, of which Charge&GO is a part, numerous companies that provide electromobility services across the continent are connected in one place. At the same time, drivers are assured of easy use of chargers not only in our country and region but also abroad. Charging authorization is done via an RFID card that is already enabled for users, making the process simple and efficient. For these services, it is necessary to sign a contract whereby the procedure is not complex and is easily achievable if the request is sent to podrska@ chargego.rs. After this, the user will immediately have an ample map available when leaving our country, and there are hundreds of thousands of chargers of various companies, whereby the application will provide drivers with a simple display of arrival to the desired place.

With the continuous expansion of the network of chargers, the company Charge&GO extends the availability of its application beyond the borders of our country.

– By the beginning of the summer, the Charge&GO network will also be available in North Macedonia, with a customized version of our application for the Macedonian market – explains Tamara Zjačić, the company’s deputy director.

When the application opens on the Macedonian market, it should display a map with 10 DC chargers that will be available to drivers by mid-June.

Charge&GO is growing and expanding month by month. By the end of the year, the number of chargers will increase drastically both at the company level and throughout the country, which is why the number of electric vehicles could exceed expectations. According to certain forecasts, there should be around 3,500 fully electric vehicles in Serbia by the end of the year, although now that number is between 2,500 and 2,700 cars. Exact information on the number of registered electric vehicles is not publicly available, although a register exists in the Ministry of Interior. Data on the number of registered electric vehicles would greatly help companies such as Charge&GO since determining infrastructure needs would be easier and more precise if the number of e-vehicles and their popularity among drivers is known.

The existence of supporting infrastructure is inevitable for the further popularization of electric cars. First, it is crucial to increase the number of charging stations along highways and in urban areas, which the company Charge&GO is constantly working on.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

Iberian Lynx Rebounding Thanks to Conservation Action

25.06.2024

lynx-ris-mačka-animal — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The Iberian Lynx has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, continuing its dramatic recovery from near extinction thanks to sustained conservation efforts.

“As the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species celebrates its 60th anniversary, its importance cannot be overstated as the most complete source of information on the state of the world’s biodiversity. It is an essential tool that measures progress towards halting nature loss and achieving the 2030 global biodiversity goals. The improvement in the Red List status of the Iberian lynx shows that successful conservation works for wildlife and communities alike,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

The conservation status of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has improved from Endangered to Vulnerable, with the population increasing exponentially from 62 mature individuals in 2001 to 648 in 2022. Today, the total population, including young and mature lynx, is estimated to be more than 2,000.

Conservation efforts for this keystone species have focused on increasing the abundance of its prey, the Endangered European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), protecting and restoring Mediterranean scrub and forest habitat, and reducing deaths caused by human activity. Expanding the species’ genetic diversity through translocations and an ex-situ breeding programme has been key to increasing numbers. Since 2010, more than 400 Iberian lynx have been reintroduced to parts of Portugal and Spain. The Iberian lynx now occupies at least 3,320 km2, an increase from 449 km2 in 2005.

However, the Iberian lynx remains threatened, mainly due to potential fluctuations of the European rabbit population if there are further virus outbreaks. The Iberian lynx is also susceptible to diseases from domestic cats. Poaching and road kills remain threats, particularly where high traffic roads cut-through the lynx’s habitat. Habitat alterations related to climate change are a growing threat.

“The greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation, this success is the result of committed collaboration between public bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies, and community members including local landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and hunters, and the financial and logistical support of the European Union LIFE project,” said Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, Coordinator of the LIFE Lynx-Connect project, which led the conservation action for the Iberian lynx.

“There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Iberian lynx populations survive and the species recovers throughout its indigenous range. Looking ahead, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx to new sites in central and northern Spain.”

In its first Green Status of Species assessment – the global standard for measuring species recovery and assessing conservation impact – the Iberian lynx is Largely Depleted. However, its high Conservation Legacy reflects the impact of conservation efforts to date, and “enough suitable habitat remains that the species could reach Fully Recovered status in 100 years, assuming conservation efforts continue with maximum efficacy.”

Source: IUCN

Global Solar Installations Almost Double in 2023 But Leaves Emerging Economies in the Dark

24.06.2024

2023’s new solar installations would cover more than half of India’s annual electricity needs or more than Brazil’s entire consumption. Compared to Europe, the annual installations would exceed the total yearly electricity consumption of Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Czechia, Austria, Portugal, and Greece – combined.

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024-2028 reveals growth rates not seen in over a decade, since 2010 when the global solar market was only four per cent of what it is today.

Solar continues to soar amongst its renewable colleagues, installing 78 per cent of the total renewable energy installed around the world in 2023. This is reflected in the IEA World Energy Investment (WEI) 2024 report, which demonstrates that investment in solar PV in 2023 surpasses all other energy sources combined.

“The world has truly entered its solar age. The sky is no longer the limit. How far solar can go will be determined by equitable global access to financing, and the political will to deliver flexible energy systems fit for the renewable reality”, said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe.

Looking to the future, the world is set to reach more than two TW of total solar capacity this year, having only reached the one TW level in 2022. However, between 2024 and 2028, year-on-year growth is expected to slow in the face of high interest rates, an energy crisis resolved – for now, and grids around the world struggling to keep up with renewable demand.

Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe said, “It’s all just a little bit of history repeating – the world revises its solar estimates upwards and we get a glimpse at the vast potential of solar. By 2028, we could be installing more than 1 TW of solar a year. It’s now about setting targets in line with reality, and addressing the familiar challenges – permitting, regulations enabling profitable business models, and the new frontier – system flexibility, through vast amounts of battery storage capacities. The sector is ready to deliver the decarbonised energy system, and policymakers must wake up to the climate and energy security solution on their doorsteps”, said Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe.

For now, it seems that China will determine the rate of global solar growth, though it continues to be one of the most dynamic, and difficult to predict, markets. In 2023 alone, China installed 57 per cenr of global capacity – 253 GW – equivalent to the levels installed globally in 2022. On the manufacturing side, a massive scale-up of capacity have led to solar panel price collapses of around 50 per cent last year, and a growing consolidation of the solar manufacturing industry in the country.

Source: SolarPower Europe

Čelinac gets two Solar Power Plants

23.06.2024

The municipality of Čelinac is located not far from Banja Luka. One part of the territory extends at an altitude of 800 meters; in the largest part of the municipality, the altitude ranges from 300 to 600 meters. The lowest point, with an altitude of 196 meters, is at the mouth of the river Jošavka into the Vrbanja. The area and the large number of sunny hours are highly suitable for constructing solar power plants. That is why it is not surprising that in this region, there is a great interest in clean energy, and there are more and more solar power plants that enable energy independence for the owners.

On the hills of the Markovac settlement, the company MT-KOMEX BH completed the construction of the solar power plants Markovac Jungići and Markovac Jungići 1. These solar power plants have a total power of 280 kWp and were built on an area of 3,000 m2. According to estimates, their annual production will amount to 360 MWh, which provides the investor with energy security. The company constructed these solar power plants using solar panels from Canadian Solar. They installed 420 panels, each with a power of 660 W.

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Likewise, five Fronius inverters, each with a power of 50 kW, were installed. The investor decided to entrust the construction of solar power plants to MT-KOMEX BH, which consists of an expert team of engineers and installers. They have many years of experience in designing and building solar power plants. In addition, engineers have all the necessary certificates and regularly complete the required training. They provide services from creating a project for a power plant, obtaining permits, and delivering the necessary materials, technology, and labor to the site. The company’s hard-working installers are there to set up and install panels from reputable manufacturers, followed by installation of inverters and other necessary infrastructure.

Finally, there is a check of readiness for commissioning – all these phases are contained in the phrase “turnkey” and are, therefore, the entire team’s responsibility. The company firmly believes that solar energy and green kilowatts will only experience expansion in these areas, evidenced by numerous inquiries from business people and citizens about the installation of solar panels both on roofs and on the ground. This is contributed significantly by the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Serbia, have more hours of solar radiation than many other European countries. Also, there are large areas that are not used on which solar panels could be installed.

The engineers and installers of MT-KOMEX BH are ready for all the challenges that business in Bosnia and Herzegovina brings. They work every day to promote renewable energy sources, answer all clients’ questions, and find the best and most efficient solution.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

With Luxen Solar to a Healthier Environment

22.06.2024

We live in a time when we face major global challenges to prevent further environmental pollution and ensure a healthy and environmentally clean environment. Every individual must contribute to this goal, as well as every company, regardless of the industry they operate in.

As a renewable energy company, Luxen Solar not only produces the latest generation solar panels that ensure a quick and efficient transition to clean energy but also tries to contribute in every way to the global goal of preserving the environment, in accordance with the United Nations 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals, REACH regulations, and RoHS directives.

Environmental protection awards

In 2023, Luxen Solar received three environmental protection awards – the highest state recognition for its contribution to the development of the green industry, recognition for special contribution in the process of green production and recognition for intelligent transformation and production.

“As a company that has its own factory, Luxen Solar pays special attention to the health of its workers and the environment in which panels are produced. Chemicals are one of the main pollutants in production plants. Luxen Solar strictly adheres to the RoHS directive on the restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, as well as the EU’s REACH regulation related to the registration, evaluation, approval, and restriction of chemicals. The company also requires compliance with the same regulation from its suppliers, who are obligated to submit a report that the products Luxen Solar purchases from them do not contain dangerous substances, neither for the health of the workers nor for the environment”, the company says and adds: ”As part of our efforts, we take into account all aspects relevant to environmental protection and sustainable development. These include energy and resource management, quality control, data and information security, the environmental impact of production, business ethics, recycling and the use of recyclable materials, wastewater management, respect for human rights, social responsibility and other aspects related to environmental protection and sustainable development following national and EU regulations“, the company states.

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‘Green’ factory

In Luxen Solar’s immediate environment, we have installed street solar lights and PV carports for charging electric vehicles and scooters of our employees. The annual production of the carports is equivalent to saving almost 57 tons of CO2, which can be translated to using 13 passenger vehicles for one year or almost 20 tons of recycled waste instead of the waste that ends up in landfills.

Solar rooftop installation with our TOPCon state-of-the-art modules of the latest LECO (laser enhanced contact optimization) technology will contribute to a saving of 246 tons of CO2, 120.000kg of burned coal or 85 tons of recycled waste instead of the waste that is deposited on landfills.

The company’s new 210mm production line, guided by artificial intelligence and characterized by high precision, speed, smart data processing, 24-hour monitoring, and quality control, enables an increase in production speed by 30 per cent and efficiency of used equipment by over 10 per cent.

Luxen Solar

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine NATURE CONSERVATION.

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