Innovative Series of ABB Frequency Converters for Environmentally Sustainable Solar Water Pumping Systems

08.09.2024

ABB’s Frequency Converters for Solar Pumps are addressing the challenges of providing water even in remote locations without access to the power grid. The drive uses photovoltaic panels as the energy source to operate water pumps. From dawn to dusk, the drive operates without energy costs easily and safely, with minimal CO2 emissions.

Solar photovoltaic systems for water pumping are becoming increasingly significant worldwide. They play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions. They can operate in areas poorly covered by the power grid, where a reliable water supply is essential to irrigate agricultural land, provide drinking water for livestock, and ensure potable water. ABB’s new generation of ACQ80 frequency converters for solar pumps is designed to meet this need by enabling efficient operation of solar water pumping systems with a low carbon footprint, using clean solar energy. Compared to diesel-powered pump systems, the ACQ80 solar pump frequency converter is an environmentally friendly product with a long lifespan and low maintenance costs, given that it runs on solar energy.

IN FOCUS:

Key Features of the ACQ80 Frequency Converter

The ACQ80 frequency converter includes built-in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology, combined with a wide input voltage range of 225 to 800 VDC and PID control to achieve the desired water pressure in the pumping system during irrigation. This enables the converter to drive the pump motor even if the output power of the solar panels drops during periods of low sunlight. This broad range of operating conditions is a significant improvement over conventional frequency converters, allowing the maximum amount of water to be pumped at all times.

While the ACQ80 will mainly be used in off-grid installations that convert DC power from solar panels into AC power needed to operate the pump, this frequency converter can also be powered by AC voltage. This allows it to be connected to the local power grid or a generator, ensuring the continuity of the pump system operation during the night or periods of low sunlight by combining power from both DC and AC sources.

The ACQ80 also offers additional integrated functionalities required in pumping systems, such as flow calculation, dry-run protection, pump cleaning, and optimization of the water pumping process, minimizing human intervention. Additionally, it provides connectivity through Fieldbus communication protocols, allowing the frequency converter to be integrated into control systems. The ACQ80 is compatible with both asynchronous motors and highly efficient synchronous reluctance motors with permanent magnets (SynRM), suitable for both submersible and surface pump types.

The ACQ80 has been recognized by the Solar Impulse Foundation as an efficient solution, confirming the product’s profitability and use of clean energy. This designation is awarded to products, services, and/ or processes that combine credible environmental and economic performance while outperforming traditional options in their market.

ABB

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

In Germany, More Than 60 Percent of Electricity Comes from Renewable Energy Sources

08.09.2024

NOVO vetar — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (distelAPPArath)

In the first half of 2024, Germany produced and delivered 220 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to the grid, which is 5.3 percent less than in the first half of 2023, according to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

Despite this decline, electricity production from renewable energy sources increased by 9.1 percent compared to the first half of 2023. Specifically, it rose to 135.2 billion kilowatt-hours. Looking at the share of renewables in total electricity production, in 2024, it accounted for 61.5 percent, while in the first half of the previous year, the share was 53.3 percent.

At the same time, electricity production from conventional sources decreased by 21.8 percent compared to the first half of 2023, reducing the share of such energy in total electricity production to 38.5 percent.

Wind energy accounted for one-third of the electricity produced in the first half of this year. Furthermore, electricity generation from wind farms increased by 11.9 percent during the first half compared to the same period in 2023, rising from 65.5 to 73.4 billion kilowatt-hours. Solar energy also achieved good results, with an 8.3 percent increase compared to the first half of 2023, delivering 30.5 billion kilowatt-hours. With this increase, solar energy accounted for 13.8 percent of the total electricity supply.

The increase in wind energy is attributed to an exceptionally windy period, while the rise in solar energy results from the expansion of new facilities.

Conventional energy sources

Despite the decline in electricity production from conventional sources, coal remains the second most important source, even though it decreased by more than a quarter. Specifically, the amount of electricity produced in coal-fired power plants decreased by 26.4 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Its share remains 20.9 percent of total electricity production. During the first half of 2024, coal generated 45.9 billion kilowatt-hours, the lowest amount recorded in a six-month period since data tracking began in 2018.

Electricity generation from natural gas also decreased in the first half of this year, by 1.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023. With a 14.6 percent share of total production, natural gas ranks third among the most important sources.

It is noted that the statistics cover all power plants and facilities in Germany that deliver electricity to the public grid. On the other hand, the data does not include electricity produced in industrial facilities and immediately consumed within the industry, nor electricity generated by residential solar systems that is used directly in households.

Energy Portal

Manasija Gets a Solar Power Plant

07.09.2024

The energy transition leaves no one behind – everyone is encouraged to turn to clean energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint to achieve a greener future as quickly as possible. Religious institutions have recently recognized the importance of renewable energy and energy independence, and many monasteries in our country already have solar panels on their premises.

MT-KOMEX is always ready to take on new challenges when it comes to building solar power plants. After constructing a 50-kW plant at the Žiča Monastery, they recently completed another solar project at one of Serbia’s most significant monasteries – Manasija.

“This will mean a lot to the Manasija Monastery, especially in terms of material operations because we were paying huge electricity bills, and this power plant will significantly reduce those costs. It is also very important to take care of the environment for us as a nation to have a responsible attitude towards what God has created. I would advise everyone, anyone who has the means, to install solar panels, whether it is a monastery, a company, or a private home, especially in these times when we need more electricity,” said Father Pavle, the abbot of Manasija Monastery.

The solar power plant in question has a capacity of 12 kW and consists of 30 panels with an individual capacity of 410 Wp. These are monofacial panels from the renowned manufacturer Luxor Solar. MT-KOMEX always chooses the most efficient and modern types of panels on the market, and collaboration with Luxor Solar is always a sure choice.

IN FOCUS:

Filip Stojović, an engineer at MT-KOMEX, explains that the solar power plant at Manasija was built on the roof of a building next to the monastery to preserve the aesthetics of this Serbian shrine. He adds that the solar power plant is connected to a single metering group. However, this was not an easy task, as the monastery had several metering groups that had to be unified into one. As always, the MT-KOMEX team successfully overcame this obstacle, so the monastery now has a single measurement, and all the electricity produced by the solar power plant can be delivered according to the consumption needs of the monastery’s buildings. Stojović proudly notes that the installers built the power plant in three days, which is remarkably fast.

According to him, the plan is for the solar power plant at Manasija Monastery to gain prosumer status, as this procedure today is quite simplified and takes three to four steps to complete. The power plant is oriented southward, and the engineers designed it to maximize the use of solar energy. The estimated annual production of the solar power plant at Manasija is around 10,000 kWh per installed kWp, or 12,000 kWh annually. Thanks to this solar power plant, Manasija Monastery will contribute to an annual reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 8,000 kg.

Regarding additional equipment, this power plant used a 10-kW inverter, which will enable obtaining prosumer status through a simplified procedure for power plants up to 10.8 kW. These inverters are from the Austrian manufacturer Fronius, with which MT-KOMEX has successfully realized 100 MW of power plants. MT-KOMEX decided to donate the solar power plant to this great Serbian shrine. The plant represents much more than a one-time donation because users will be able to produce green energy and reduce their costs over the next 30 years.

With this, the company has completed its portfolio of over 200 built solar power plants with a total installed capacity exceeding 120 MW. Alongside technical expertise, flexibility and adaptability ensure that the company’s team can meet various client demands and always deliver the most efficient power plant.

Prepared by Milena Maglovski

Read the whole story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

07.09.2024

air pollution - zagađenje — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Daphne Fecheyr)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Sam Wermut)

Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk of our time. It also exacerbates climate change, causes economic losses, and reduces agricultural productivity.

It knows no borders – everyone has a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for all. By collaborating across borders, sectors, and silos, we can reduce air pollution through collective investments of time, resources and efforts.

This International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, we call upon everyone—from governments and corporations to civil society and individuals—to Invest in #CleanAirNow. By tackling air pollution proactively, we can achieve transformative change and secure healthy air for all.

A two-fold problem

Health impact: tiny, invisible particles of pollution penetrate deep into our lungs, bloodstream and bodies. These pollutants are responsible for about one-third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and lung cancer, as well as one quarter of deaths from heart attack. Ground-level ozone, produced from the interaction of many different pollutants in sunlight, is also a cause of asthma and chronic respiratory illnesses.

Climate impact: short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are among those pollutants most linked with both health effects and near-term warming of the planet. They persist in the atmosphere for as little as a few days or up to a few decades, so reducing them can have an almost immediate health and climate benefits for those living in places where levels fall.

Preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally

Аir pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally, with some estimated 6.5 million premature deaths (2016) across the world attributed to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Particularly in developing countries, air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and the elderly, especially in low-income populations as they are often exposed to high levels of ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution from cooking and heating with wood fuel and kerosene.

Аir pollution is a global problem with far-reaching impacts owing to its transport over long distances. In the absence of aggressive intervention, the number of premature deaths resulting from ambient air pollution is estimated to be on track to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2050.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Carlos Grury Santos)

Society bears a high cost of air pollution due to the negative impacts on the economy, work productivity, healthcare costs and tourism, among others. Hence, the economic benefits of investing in air pollution control cannot be overestimated, and it must be understood that there is also an economic rationale to act and that cost-effective solutions exist to address air pollution.

Poor air quality is a challenge in the context of sustainable development for all countries, in particular in cities and urban areas in developing countries, with levels of air pollution that are higher than the limits set out in the World Health Organization air quality guidelines.

Some air pollutants, such as black carbon, methane and ground-level ozone, are also short-lived climate pollutants and are responsible for a significant portion of air pollution-related deaths, as well as impacts on crops and hence food security, so their reduction has co-benefits for the climate.

Source: UN

The First Carbon Capture and Storage Project in Italy

06.09.2024

pollution-zagađenje-vadzuh — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Italy is known as the Ravenna CCS Project, launched exclusively for environmental purposes. Its goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change, particularly in industries that are difficult to decarbonize.

The project is named after the region where it is located and will use depleted natural gas fields in the Adriatic Sea. It involves the permanent geological storage of carbon dioxide captured from the smokestacks of third-party industrial plants, transported via underground pipelines or by ship to the pumping station in Casalborsetti.

In this project, oil and gas company Eni and energy infrastructure company Snam have joined forces.

The first phase aims to capture, transport, and store 25,000 tons of CO2 per year from Eni’s natural gas processing plant. After capture, the carbon dioxide is transported and stored at a depth of 3,000 meters in the depleted gas field. The facility already reduces CO2 emissions from the smokestacks of the Casalborsetti plant by over 90 percent, and in some cases, up to 96 percent. This is especially important given the challenging conditions for carbon capture due to the low concentration of CO2 and atmospheric pressure.

After completing this phase, a second phase is planned to begin in 2027, which aims to store up to four million tons of CO2 annually. From 2030, the significant capacity of these reservoirs, estimated at over 500 million tons, could allow for an increase in volume, potentially reaching more than 16 million tons per year, depending on market demand.

According to a report by the Polytechnic University of Milan, a CCS facility with the potential to capture and store 16 million tons of CO2 annually, with total costs over its lifetime of 38.4 billion euros (including investments and operating costs), could generate direct and indirect economic benefits of 79 billion euros.

In the second phase, Ravenna is envisioned to become a reference CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) center for Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The Ravenna project will create new jobs in an advanced sustainability-oriented sector, attract investments, and bring in new sustainable industrial initiatives from global investors.

This project is a key part of Italy’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and maintain the competitiveness of its industries while reducing environmental impact.

Jasna Dragojević

The corporate sector continues to lag behind private households for EV uptake

06.09.2024

punjenje_električnih_automobila — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (CHUTTERSNAP)

The EU’s corporate car market stagnation is explained by poor progress in fleets electrification in Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

The corporate sector continues to lag behind private households in terms of electrification, new H1 data by Dataforce shows. In the whole EU, 13.8 percent of all new private registrations were battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). For corporates, this was only 12.4 percent. This has a major impact on the progress of the whole automotive ecosystem (carmakers, charging infrastructure providers etc.) towards electrification as 60 percent of all new cars in the EU are registered by companies.

The slow uptake of EVs in the corporate car market is mainly explained by poor performances in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, the EU’s four biggest car markets.

In France, Spain and Italy, BEV uptake in the corporate market went down in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023 while the private segment increased.

In Germany, the corporate market continues to lag behind the private sector. The latter took a bigger hit due to the phase out of purchase subsidies for private buyers.

In Poland the company car market stagnated compared to H1 2023. Private registrations took a big hit (H1 2023 compared to H1 2024)

Belgium is the only country where the company car market is doing what is supposed to do i.e. be a green leader and lead the shift to electric. Main reason for this is the fiscal changes that Belgium introduced, phasing out tax cuts for fossil fuel company cars.

Company cars are a perk that employers are giving to their employees and both are getting tax breaks for this. Businesses also have the financial means to invest in green tech such as EVs. Therefore companies should be miles ahead of the private market and lead the transition to electric.

What does this mean for the agenda of the new European Commission?

In her Political Guidelines, von der Leyen has confirmed that the EU must and will stay course to meet the goals set out in the European Green Deal. Reducing transport emissions and electrifying road transport is a key element of this.

Looking not only at the size of the company car market but also the tax cuts that corporate cars are receiving, the European Commission should ensure that companies take their responsibility and lead the shift to green transport. The fact that this is not happening shows that there is a clear market failure at the moment. This is not a recent development but already taking place for the last three years. Hence EC intervention is not only needed but also justified.

Source: Transport&Environment

Why Recycling Is Not Enough to Fight Plastic

05.09.2024

NOVO , plastika , eko — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

How often do we come across the topic of recycling daily? We read about it in the media, see symbols on packaging, and pass by recycling bins on the streets. For some of us, recycling might seem obviously important, while for others, it has become just another part of the daily environment—something we notice but rarely take concrete steps to act on. And although recycling is certainly important, it is only one of the last steps in the fight against plastic pollution.

The real significance lies in what happens at the beginning of the plastic lifecycle. The story of plastic begins deep underground, where oil and gas are extracted, transformed into plastic polymers, and shaped into the products we use. This story is not just about the plastic bottles and bags we throw away but everything that happens before those products become waste.

There are many approaches to addressing the plastic pollution problem, and recycling is one of them. But to truly tackle the core of the issue, we must make recycling mandatory on an international level. That’s why negotiators will meet in Korea later this year to continue working on a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution.

Every year, the world produces around 430 million tons of plastic, and most of that plastic quickly becomes waste. This growing problem not only threatens our ecosystems but also contributes to climate change and exposes people to harmful chemicals.

To effectively address the problem, we must focus on a lifecycle approach to plastic. This approach is not just another common concept—it’s a systemic approach that covers every step in the life of plastic: from production to use, to the point where it becomes waste.

The lifecycle approach allows us to limit the damage plastic can cause at every stage of its existence. This can include banning single-use products or encouraging the development of eco-friendly alternatives. Governments can regulate the design of plastic products to ensure they can be recycled or reused and don’t simply become another piece of waste.

This approach also considers socio-economic aspects. The plastic industry provides jobs for millions of people worldwide, including many who are involved in waste collection. The lifecycle approach strives to balance ecological needs with socio-economic aspects, such as workers’ rights and access to fair working conditions.

Recycling is important, but it’s not enough. For example, nearly 80 percent of plastic in single-use products is not economically viable for recycling, and more than 2.7 billion people worldwide don’t have access to basic waste collection services. To truly understand and address the plastic pollution problem, it’s important to consider the entire lifecycle of plastic. The lifecycle approach helps us identify key points for reducing environmental impacts and improving socio-economic conditions.

Thinking about plastic should encompass some of the following questions. How are raw materials for plastic sourced and processed? What is their environmental impact? How much energy and resources are used, and what waste and emissions are produced during manufacturing? What is the environmental impact of transportation? How is the product used during its life, and what are its environmental impacts? What happens to the product when it becomes waste? Can it be recycled or composted?

All these questions help us understand that the fight against plastic pollution begins long before the product becomes waste.

Katarina Vuinac

Energy Week Western Balkans 2024 – Driving the Region’s Clean Energy Transition

05.09.2024

wind-energy — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jason Mavrommatis)

The Western Balkans is gearing up for one of the most influential energy sector gatherings of the year – Energy Week Western Balkans 2024. Set to take place on October 9-10 at the exclusive Maestral Resort in Montenegro, this event is a pivotal opportunity for regional leaders, energy companies, international investors, and policymakers to come together and discuss strategies for accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

The region’s premier conference will convene key stakeholders from Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, and Croatia alongside major international financial institutions and leading global companies in the energy sector. The discussions will centre on policy, financing, and technology – key pillars essential for driving the region’s energy transition.

The conference agenda is meticulously crafted to address the pressing issues within the region’s energy landscape. A highlight of the event is the session titled “Together Towards Tomorrow: Regional Integration Strategies for Renewable Energy Advancement in the Western Balkans,” where ministers from across the region will discuss the critical importance of regional cooperation in promoting renewable energy.

Another pivotal session, “Balancing Act: Navigating the Transition from Coal to Renewables vs. Embracing a Gas Blend Strategy,” will delve into the complexities of transitioning away from coal, featuring among other insights from Dušan Živković, General Director at Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS).

The event will also focus on the future of the region’s energy infrastructure. The session “Future-Proofing the Grid: Investing in Resilience, Renewable Energy, and Storage Technologies,” sponsored by Sungrow, will emphasize the investments necessary to ensure that the grid can support a renewable energy-dominated future. Aleksandar Mijušković, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem (CGES), will share his insights on these critical developments.

Addressing the operational challenges that energy projects face in the region, the session “Navigating Market Challenges: From Securing Land to Balancing Conditions” will feature contributions from industry leaders, including Milos Kostic, CEO of MT-KOMEX.

Regulatory frameworks, essential for accelerating renewable energy adoption, will be the focus of “Shaping Renewable Policies: Dialogue with Western Balkans Regulators”, featuring key regulators such as Branislav Prelević, Resident of the Board, Energy and Water Regulatory Agency of Montenegro, Dejan Popović, President of the Council, Energy Agency of Serbia and Marko Bislimoski, President, Water and Municipal Waste Management Services of the Regulatory Commission of the Republic of North Macedonia (ERC).

The financial aspects of energy projects will be explored in “Unlocking the Potential: Exploring Financing, Bankability, and Revenue Streams in the Western Balkans.” This session will delve into making energy projects bankable and attractive to investors, an essential step for the region’s energy future. Moreover, strategies to build investor confidence will be discussed in “Promoting Investor Confidence: Ensuring Predictability and Fair Treatment,” where legal experts, investors, and government representatives will share their insights on creating a stable and transparent business environment.

Adding to the wealth of knowledge at the event, global and regional leaders at the World Bank, IFC, EBRD, UKEF, and the Green for Growth Fund will provide a global perspective on sustainable development and economic growth in the region. Neda Lazendić (WV International), Rico Koch (NOTUS energy), Mats Lundin (Emergy), Ivan Liakh (DTEK Renewables International) and many other distinguished leaders will share extensive experience from their work on gigawatt-scale solar and wind projects.

With over 18 GW of renewable potential at stake, Energy Week Western Balkans 2024 is more than just a conference – it is a pivotal platform where the future of energy in the region will be shaped. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in B2B and B2G meetings with top executives, policymakers, and thought leaders from the Western Balkans and beyond.

For more information on the event, including the full agenda and registration details, please visit the official website https://wbenergyweek.com/

Source: EWWB

EPS Changes Rules for Commercial Customers

05.09.2024

winter-zika-sneg-struja — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

New methodologies for forming electricity prices for customers under commercial supply have been adopted by the Assembly of the Joint Stock Company “Elektroprivreda Srbije” (EPS), with the aim of establishing prices that meet the unique needs of EPS’s commercial customers while maintaining financial integrity and business sustainability.

The new method of pricing for the economy ensures that prices reflect current market conditions while providing stability and predictability for customers.

According to Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy and a representative of the founder in the EPS Assembly, with the adoption of these methodologies, Serbia has fulfilled the last structural benchmark of the International Monetary Fund for the energy sector.

The minister added that the new methodologies allow for monitoring market trends in both directions, whether in cases of price drops or increases. Additionally, the new methodology will contribute to more efficient contracting of electricity supply for customers in the open market under competitive conditions, taking into account criteria such as the lowest electricity price, payment terms, and supply security.

As stated on the EPS website, methodologies have been adopted for determining the fixed price and the leveled price for full electricity supply to end customers, which is done based on market principles, as well as the methodology for forming prices for supplying end customers based on contracts with a predetermined quantity. Furthermore, a methodology has been established for determining the final price with dynamic pricing for full electricity supply to end customers, a methodology for determining the sale price of electricity produced from renewable sources for end customer supply, and a methodology for determining the price for delivered electricity from customer-producers under a full supply contract with net metering.

The flexibility in contracting brought by these methodologies will also contribute to a more diverse offering, which, as explained by the minister, will result in improvements in energy efficiency and the competitiveness of the Serbian economy, due to the possibility of optimizing electricity costs in final products.

Energetski portal

Innovative Application of Information Technologies in Agriculture

04.09.2024

Foto-Institut-BioSense — Photo: BioSense Institute

BioSens Institute, Institute for Research and Development of Information Technologies in Biosystems, is a pioneer in the digital transformation of agriculture in Serbia. Investigating the scientific and technological boundaries of the innovative application of IT in agriculture, the Institute aims to provide the domestic and global agricultural sectors with superior digital solutions to achieve higher yields with less investment.

We spoke with Oskar Marko, PhD, Assistant Director for Innovation and Industrial Collaboration at the BioSens Institute, about the advantages of the AgroSens platform, the functioning of the Digital Village in Mokrin, how the dim.rs portal affects the improvement of the environment, how digitization can increase income, why is Institute important for young researchers and whether they participate in projects funded by the European Union.

Q: Could you tell us how the AgroSens platform, i.e. the digital service for farmers, operates?

A: AgroSens is a platform developed to provide farmers with quick and straightforward access to data, but it also provides the community with the top scientific results accomplished by the BioSens Institute in artificial intelligence, satellite image processing, and sensor network development. The platform includes many modules, including weather forecasts, processed satellite images, a digital field book, and more. Based on this data, it is possible to gain insight into the state of the crop and make decisions based on facts on the ground, which ensures high yields and reduces risks.

IN FOCUS:

Q: What was the idea behind establishing the Digital Village in Mokrin? How does the project work in practice?

A: The central idea of the Digital Village was to take the entire arsenal of digital technologies available to us and use the example of a village to show their impact on production and the community as a whole. As part of this project, lectures were given to farmers; fields were scanned with drones, sensors and weather stations were installed, and everything was implemented with the support of experienced agronomists. Local farmers have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, interest and openness and judging by the feedback, digital technologies have helped them to gain insight into the condition of crops and to determine the right moment for the application of agrotechnical operations – the application of pesticides, fertilizers and more – which, in turn, has helped them to optimize the use of inputs and ensure high yields.

Q: How would you rate the progress of digitalization in agriculture? How much can digital transformation increase revenues and help farmers to achieve higher yields with less investment?

A: One example of progress in digitalization is the AgroSens platform, which over 20,000 farmers use. If we add up the total area managed by these farmers, it comes up to a quarter of the total arable land in Serbia. This is a validation that our farmers have recognized the importance of digital transformation and that we can expect an increasing impact of modern technologies in agriculture in the future. Also, irrigation optimization systems and many other sensors, such as Plant-O-Meter and soil moisture sensors, are patented and licensed and are available in the market. Solutions for agricultural production are not the only solutions we have. Agricultural producers are automatically evaluated thanks to the project we are implementing with the World Bank. They are granted loans much more easily, which, in turn, facilitates their greater access to finance to start production and ensures higher yields and profits.

Interview by Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

Read the whole interview in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.

IEA policy review highlights UK leadership on climate policy and emission reduction efforts

03.09.2024

agapanthus-park — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Jan Huber)

The IEA regularly conducts reviews of the energy and related climate policies of its member countries and provides recommendations – a process that supports energy policy development and encourages the exchange of international best practices and experiences. This latest review of the United Kingdom, based on work conducted during its previous government, finds that it has made significant progress to-date on emissions reductions. This is underpinned by a robust climate framework as one of the first advanced economies to legally adopt a net zero target, according to the IEA’s latest review of the United Kingdom’s energy policies.

The United Kingdom 2024: Energy Policy Review highlights how the country is a leader in clean energy deployment, particularly in offshore wind. This is in part thanks to strong climate policies, notably carbon pricing and the creation of an independent body, the Climate Change Committee, with statutory authority to track the government’s progress toward its climate targets. As part of this, the United Kingdom has met all of its five-year ‘carbon budgets’ so far, a set of interim emissions reduction goals that serve as stepping stones to the 2050 net zero target.

The transformation of the UK’s electricity system, driven by a rapid decline in coal-fired generation and a strong expansion of renewable electricity, has demonstrated the country’s commitment to transforming its energy system, the report finds. However, the report also notes that the United Kingdom is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which continue to play a major role in electricity generation as well as in the buildings, transport and industrial sectors. To achieve its climate targets and stay on track with its carbon budgets, greater progress on reducing emissions will be required in these end-use sectors, in particular.

The United Kingdom has set an ambitious target to decarbonise electricity generation, underpinned by rapid growth in wind, solar and nuclear power. Renewables already account for over a fifth of the country’s electricity generation, a three-fold increase since 2012. The report highlights that the UK’s auction scheme to support renewable energy deployment – known as Contracts for Difference – has been a notable success story. In the coming years, the United Kingdom will need to ensure the continued buildout of low-emissions generation to displace unabated gas, replace closures in the nuclear fleet and keep up with growing power demand driven by electrification. It will likewise need to support a massive buildout of electricity infrastructure, reduce administrative barriers and speed up grid connections to enable new projects to come online.

In other sectors, the UK’s building stock, among the oldest in Europe, contributes over a quarter of the country’s energy-related emissions. In its recommendations, the report emphasises the need for a sustained focus on energy efficiency upgrades of existing buildings and a rapid turnover of fossil fuel heating systems toward electricity-based heat pumps as priority areas.

Transport is the largest emitting sector in the United Kingdom and is heavily reliant on oil. The United Kingdom has ambitious plans for zero emissions vehicles and the report encourages a sustained focus on implementation.

The UK’s industrial sector is also a major energy consumer and a key contributor to emissions, accounting for around a fifth of UK energy consumption and 14 percent of emissions. In addition to supporting energy efficiency, the report urges the United Kingdom to undertake efforts to support electrification in industry, enabled by grid expansion and connections to industrial sites. Commercialisation and adoption of new technologies, including carbon capture, utilisation and storage as well as fuels such as hydrogen, can also play an important role in industrial decarbonisation.

Overall, the report finds that the United Kingdom is making strong progress on its energy transition, with both opportunities to accelerate still further and to seize the benefits of the growing global clean energy economy, thanks to its first-mover advantage and robust legal frameworks. The country must continue its shift from action plans toward rapid implementation that accelerates results and supports meeting climate targets.

Source: IEA

Why virtual Power Plants are the Future of Solar Energy

03.09.2024

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Mariana Proença)

Renewable energy sources like solar are volatile, meaning there is not enough energy production to meet demand when the sun doesn’t shine.

However, when the sun does shine, solar panels can feed so much electricity into the grid that the electricity becomes worthless at market.

Virtual power plants – decentralized battery networks of sources such as EVs – can help achieve 100 percent renewable energy systems.

Moving from energy ‘prosumers’ to ‘flexumers’

Today’s renewables still work in a conventional setting. Homeowners – often dubbed ‘prosumers’ as they produce and consume energy – feed in the electricity from their solar panels into the grid when the sun shines or when their battery is fully charged.

These solar energy systems could with some justification be called ‘dumb’, just as an old mobile phone could take calls but was unable to do anything else prior to today’s smartphone era.

Instead, the future of solar must be smart and connected. Prosumers will give the floor to ‘flexumers’ that are integrated into the grid and can react to market signals.

Just as an autonomous vehicle can be updated remotely and have more and more features while the body of the car remains the same, the domestic solar energy system will look the same in terms of hardware, but its software will be much more powerful.

‘Sector coupling’ key to the future of solar energy

The ‘magic wand’ to make this happen is the so-called ‘sector coupling’ – merging the previously separate areas of electricity, heat and fuels. In the future, electricity will also be used for heat generation via heat pumps, as well as for charging electric vehicles (EVs) at home.

De-facto, an EV is a large battery on wheels. A medium-sized car battery, such as that of the Volkswagen ID3 in mid-range configuration, has a capacity of 62 kWh – equivalent to the amount of electricity a family in a single-family home consumes in 6-7 days (approximately 8-10 kWh per day).

By 2030, Germany alone aims to have 15 million electric cars on the road, and typically private cars remain unused for 23 hours a day.

This presents tremendous potential for using electric cars as mobile storage, intelligently-networked and controlled via smart energy management. Bi-directional charging, enabling power flow between the grid and EVs, is under way and will soon be usable.

Heat pumps are also a form of buffer storage: they heat water to provide heating and hot water.

The impact of a temperature difference of 1-2ºC in the supply temperature is negligible above a minimum threshold. If you adjust the operation of heat pumps to reduce usage during periods of expensive energy and maximize usage when energy is inexpensive, they can help stabilize fluctuations in renewable energy supply.

Creating a domestic decentralized battery network

Hundreds of thousands of home batteries, EVs and heat pumps are poised to connect into a vast, decentralized battery network – offering capacity akin to several nuclear power plants, but with unparalleled flexibility.

German renewables company Enpal is targeting a capacity exceeding one gigawatt by 2026, supported by a growing number of similar projects.

This networked battery, called a ‘virtual power plant’ (VPP), intelligently manages and aggregates electricity generation, storage and consumption from participating households, while also trading profitably on the electricity market.

For instance, it charges the storage or electric vehicle when electricity is very cheap or when the household solar panels generate surplus energy. Electricity is sold back to the grid when market prices are high due to low sunlight or wind.

This artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform enables homeowners to save significant costs and generate additional income. The smart integration into the energy market also paves the way for transitioning away from solar subsidies.

Virtual power plants can optimize energy operations

By optimizing operations in the intraday continuous market, VPPs simultaneously play a crucial role in relieving and better utilizing electricity grids.

They decentralize storage of surplus electricity when the grid is overloaded and inject electricity back into the grid as needed. This reduces peak loads, ensures a more even distribution of electricity generation and demand, and stabilizes electricity grids.

Source: World Economic Forum

The Role of Hydrogen and Iron in an Innovative Solution for Solar Energy Storage

02.09.2024

Although solar energy currently available in many countries could meet a significant portion of electricity needs, certain challenges are associated with this energy source. Solar energy is not consistently available. For example, there is more of it during the summer months than needed, while in winter, there is less of it because sunny days are rarer, and the sun sets earlier.

In the case of Switzerland, solar energy could cover more than 40 percent of electricity needs by 2050, but the challenge of its storage remains. Therefore, even though there is a surplus of solar energy in the summer, it cannot be made available in the winter when it is most needed.

As a solution, it is suggested that the excess solar energy produced in the summer be used to generate hydrogen, which would then be stored and used in the winter. The reason for this solution is that hydrogen can be used to produce electricity and heat. However, hydrogen storage presents a challenge of its own. It is highly flammable, easily spreads, and can make materials brittle. Special high-pressure tanks are needed for its storage, and cooling technology, which is expensive and energy-intensive, is also required. Finally, hydrogen has such properties that it can penetrate materials and cause leaks, which can lead to environmental problems and additional costs to stop the leaks.

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, led by Wendelin Stark, a professor of functional materials at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosystems, have developed a new technology for seasonal hydrogen storage that is much safer and cheaper than existing solutions. It involves the use of the fourth most abundant element on Earth – iron, as well as the steam-iron process, known since the 19th century.

The steam-iron process uses iron to store and release hydrogen, allowing for efficient energy storage. When there is excess solar energy in the summer, it is used to electrolyze water and produce hydrogen. This hydrogen is introduced into a reactor filled with iron oxide. There, hydrogen reacts with iron oxide, removing oxygen and leaving elemental iron and water. In this way, the energy from hydrogen is stored in the form of iron.

During winter, when there is a need for energy, the process is reversed. Steam is introduced into the reactor and reacts with iron, converting it back into iron oxide, while releasing hydrogen. This hydrogen can then be used to produce electricity or heat.

The advantage of this process is that it uses a cheap and readily available material, iron, and allows long-term energy storage with minimal losses. Although the process is not perfectly efficient, it represents an innovative way to use solar energy during the winter.

“This chemical process is similar to charging a battery. It means that the energy in hydrogen can be stored as iron and water over long periods with almost no losses,” the researchers explain.

They further explain that the reactor in which the reaction occurs does not need to meet special safety requirements. It consists of walls made of stainless steel only six millimeters thick, and the reaction takes place at normal pressure, while the storage capacity increases with each cycle.

However, the main drawback of using hydrogen remains its low efficiency, as up to 60 percent of energy is lost during production and conversion. This means that hydrogen is attractive as an energy storage medium only when wind or solar energy surpluses are available, and when other options are not feasible.

A pilot plant on the Hönggerberg campus, one of ETH’s two main campuses, already demonstrates the technical feasibility of this technology, with plans to cover one-fifth of the campus’s winter energy needs by 2026 using hydrogen stored from solar energy collected in the summer.

Katarina Vuinac

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