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When local waste becomes a resource

Photo: Eco board

Plastic is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time – it decomposes slowly, often ends up in rivers, lakes, and forests, and harms not only plant and animal life but also human health.

Solving this issue involves reducing plastic use, improving recycling systems, and switching to sustainable alternatives. However, plastic does not have to be waste – with creative ideas and smart technologies, it can be given a new life and a useful function. The Eko-Daska project from Montenegro is a brilliant example of this, as it showcases an innovative way of transforming plastic waste into useful items.

Photo: Eco board

By integrating 3D technology, recycling, and social responsibility into a single process, the creative team at 3D Soba Company produces sustainable outdoor furniture from recycled plastic.

“Eko-Daska was born out of a desire to give plastic a second chance: instead of ending up in nature or landfills, it becomes a lasting, useful product. We make benches, tables, bins, and other elements from plastic waste collected and recycled in Montenegro. The project’s goal is to show that sustainable production is possible even without large systems, and that local waste can become a local resource,” says Aleksandar Mašić from the company.

He emphasizes that the story of “3D soba” stemmed from a personal passion for technology and creation, as well as a market need for affordable, fast, and precise production solutions. They started in a garage with a single printer, and today they are recognized even outside their country.

“Today, we offer 3D printing services, sell 3D printers and filaments, run modelling courses, and develop our own products – with the Eko-Daska project being the most significant,” says Mašić.

The production process for the Eko-Daska was developed in-house and gradually refined. It is specifically designed for recycling local plastic waste and utilizes mechanical processing without the use of chemical additives. The materials used are HDPE and PP plastic, which undergo several stages of transformation to produce a stable, durable, and technically usable product.

The daily production capacity is around 60 meters of planks, with the potential to scale up to 120 meters depending on workload and shift organization. To date, they have delivered several hundred finished products, including benches, tables, chairs, bins, fences, and other elements. The Eko-Daska material itself can be used as a raw material for all types of outdoor furniture.

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Unlike wooden products, these do not rot, do not absorb moisture, require no maintenance, last for years, and are significantly more affordable.

“There is great interest in these products, especially from municipalities and schools, which have so far had to replace wooden furniture frequently. Our products offer a long-term solution, with ecological and social benefits,” Mašić explains.

Regarding raw material supply, he states that they have no difficulties, as there is more than enough local waste available. They have recycled several dozen tons of plastic so far, and source materials in cooperation with Deponija Podgorica and the Lovanja recycling yard.

Photo: Eco board

“People often ask if they can bring us plastic waste themselves. Although we’ve allowed that on a few occasions, we’re not yet systematically open to individual collection, but we plan to develop this in the future,” says Mašić.

He adds that they have not received support from the government, international donors, or funds so far, and that their biggest challenge is balancing production with market recognition. He believes their success has come solely from dedication, quality, and a strong will to create something useful.

Although they currently sell only in Montenegro, there is interest from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Customers find them through their website, social media, and word of mouth.

Looking ahead, they aim to expand their capacity, increase staffing, involve more cities and institutions, and develop new products and lines. Speaking to Energy Portal Magazine, they underline that each of their products demonstrates how a circular economy can work in practice and teaches anyone who sees them about the importance of environmental protection and the value of recycling.

Prepared by Jasna Dragojević

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY

How the Implementation of CBAM Will Affect the Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Photo: Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska
Photo: Aleksandar Arsenović

To achieve climate goals, not only are good intentions needed, but also concrete mechanisms that will translate them into practice, even at customs checkpoints. This is precisely what CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) aims to accomplish: a mechanism that regulates carbon emissions in international trade. It is a policy that would allow European Union countries to charge a tax or fee on imported products that are produced with high carbon emissions.

The transitional period for its implementation began on October 1, 2023, and will last until December 31, 2025, meaning its definitive application will start next year. CBAM is intended to encourage less developed countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, to strengthen their climate regulations, introduce stricter emission reduction targets, and invest in renewable energy infrastructure.

We asked Pero Ćorić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, how the implementation of CBAM will affect exporters from Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly businesses oriented toward the EU market.

Q: How will the introduction of CBAM affect the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A: The EU is increasingly focused on combating climate change, while in other countries outside the EU, less rigorous environmental and climate regulations are generally in effect. Precisely for these reasons, there is a significant risk of so-called carbon leakage, whereby companies based in the EU might relocate their production facilities that emit significantly more CO2 to other countries to take advantage of more favorable conditions. In such cases, goods produced outside the EU may end up on the EU market, resulting in higher CO2 emissions during their production. This would merely shift the emissions outside the EU to other countries. It is essential to note that this new EU customs policy will impose an additional burden on our economy. According to preliminary expert estimates, exported goods could become nearly 20 percent more expensive unless businesses improve their production processes and increase their energy efficiency.

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Q: Which industries will be most affected by the implementation of CBAM?

A: To provide legal certainty and business stability to entities in other countries, CBAM will be introduced gradually and, in the beginning, will apply only to goods at high risk of carbon leakage. Therefore, the industries producing the following goods will be most affected: iron, steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminum, hydrogen, and electricity generation. We believe that in the Republic of Srpska, electricity production will be most affected, and this impact will spill over, placing additional pressure on producers in the metal processing sector, which, of course, relies heavily on electricity.

Q: How will CBAM affect the competitiveness of domestic production, particularly in energy-intensive industries with high CO₂ emissions?

A: To redirect CBAM-related payments back into our country and use them to increase energy efficiency, it is necessary to adopt legislation aligned with European legislation — the EU ETS, i.e., the green certificate trading system. If such legislation is not adopted, the competitiveness of the domestic industry on the European market — where we export approximately 70 percent of our production — will likely decline significantly. Likewise, the impact of this mechanism on the energy sector is enormous — Srpska exports electricity, and its price will depend on the share of renewable energy sources in the total electricity price. Currently, this share is quite unfavorable, with about 60 percent of electricity coming from fossil fuels.

Interview by Jasna Dragojević

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY

Ride for Climate – Cycling Events in Belgium and Poland

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Sports activities are increasingly becoming a powerful tool for promoting sustainable values and raising awareness about climate change. The Dutch non-profit organization Cycling 4 Climate (C4C) contributes to climate awareness through such activities – organizing cycling events across Europe.

As reported by WindEurope, which supports the work of this organization, C4C events serve a dual purpose – they encourage physical activity and motivate people to take concrete steps to reduce their climate impact

Participants commit to evaluating their carbon footprint resulting from everyday activities and take a climate pledge – promising to introduce changes in their daily lives that contribute less to climate change. Finally, they accept the challenge of completing a long cycling route in a single day, symbolizing the collective effort needed to successfully tackle climate challenges.

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Two C4C events will be held in September. The first is scheduled for September 6 in Brussels, Belgium, and the second for September 13 in Szczecin, Poland.

The Belgian event will offer two routes – 60 and 150 kilometers – passing through protected natural areas in Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders. All proceeds will be directed to Belgium’s two largest nature conservation networks – Natagora and Natuurpunt.

The second event in Poland will include 50 and 100-kilometer routes that follow the Oder River – a river that, following the ecological disaster of 2022, has become a symbol of the fragility of natural environments and the importance of responsible management of water ecosystems.

Energy portal

EU Agricultural Sector: Challenges and Opportunities for Summer 2025

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Food prices in Europe are rising at a moderate pace, but some products that experienced sharp price increases in previous years are now showing signs of decline. Nevertheless, food inflation in 2025 may remain above general inflation, indicating limited prospects for increased food demand in the EU, according to the European Commission’s report Short-Term Outlook for EU Agricultural Markets – Summer 2025.

Geopolitical instability, climate challenges, and changes in trade policies of major global players such as the United States and China pose threats to the stability of both global and European markets.

There has been an increase in cereal production, a recovery in olive oil production, and stable milk deliveries.

Olive oil prices in the EU dropped significantly by June 2025 as a result of a 37% production recovery.

Cereal production in the EU is expected to rise by 4.1% in the 2025/26 season, which will improve the trade balance – exports are forecast to increase by 26%, while imports could decline by 19%.

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Oilseed production in the EU could grow by 12%, driven by higher yields of rapeseed and sunflower. In the 2024/25 season, white sugar production in the EU increased by 6.5% due to expanded cultivation areas. However, a potential 8% decline in production in 2025/26 could lead to increased imports.

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, apple production in 2024/25 could drop by 4%, keeping prices high, while peach and nectarine production might fall by 5.8%, accompanied by record-high imports. In contrast, climatic conditions are favorable for orange production, which could increase by 4.6% compared to the record-low previous season, with most of the yield intended for processing.

Industrial electricity and gas price disparities between the EU and its trading partners remain higher than before 2022, and, combined with a strengthening euro against the US dollar, could negatively impact the competitiveness of EU agri-food products and the EU trade balance. Natural gas remains nearly three times more expensive than in the US, although some progress was made in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Energy portal

The Household of the Future – A Farm as an Energy Producer

Photo: Stočar LSB d. o. o.

In the serene region near the town of Ub, there is a company that has nurtured a tradition and dedication to agriculture for generations – Stočar LSB d.o.o.

The family story has been passed down for generations, culminating in the formal establishment of the company in 1991, deeply rooted in the land and traditions of the Leontijević family.

Today, the estate cultivates as much as 1,400 hectares of arable land, of which 1,000 hectares are under corn and 400 under wheat – all dedicated to feeding livestock exclusively with crops grown on their fields. This closed-loop production system, from field to table, is the foundation of the trust consumers place in their products.

The grains are stored in silos with a capacity of 30,000 tons, while bulky feed is stored directly on the farms. Within the silo complex, there is a mixing facility for preparing complete feed mixtures for cattle.

At the heart of this story are two farms – Farm Orašac, with a capacity of 2,000 head of cattle, and Farm Radobić, which currently accommodates 1,000 head but is undergoing reconstruction that will increase its capacity by an additional 500 head.

However, the company’s self-sustainability is also reflected in its electricity production. At the Radobić farm, a 1 MW biogas plant is in its final phase of construction. It will be powered by organic waste from farms and silos.

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The company MT-KOMEX, specialized in building solar power plants and experienced in energy infrastructure, has had a long-standing collaboration with the Stočar LSB, starting with the installation of two rooftop solar power plants. The first plant, with a capacity of 40 kW, is registered as a prosumer, meaning that part of the electricity is used on-site, while the surplus is fed into the grid. This power plant currently meets approximately 80 percent of the facility’s energy needs. The second power plant, with a capacity of 350 kW, is also installed on the company’s rooftops.

Following the successful implementation of these projects and the high-quality technical support, the company once again turned to MT-KOMEX to carry out energy connection works for the biogas plant under construction at the Radobić farm, which will have an installed capacity of 1 MW.

During the final construction phase of the biogas plant, MT-KOMEX completed the following key electrical infrastructure works. Two transformer substations were built: the first is intended for supplying the farm’s and plant’s internal energy needs. It contains the main distribution switchgear for the entire complex, which will be transferred to Elektrodistribucija’s ownership upon completion of the connection. The second substation, with an installed capacity of 1,600  kVA, is designed as a grid connection point for the biogas power plant. It includes complete low-voltage equipment and a medium-voltage switchgear manufactured by Schneider Electric. This substation also houses a step-up transformer, which raises the voltage from low (the output of the cogeneration unit) to medium (10 kV), ensuring the necessary conditions for grid connection. This solution by MT-KOMEX enables efficient use and grid integration of electricity produced from biogas, closing the energy loop and further enhancing the sustainability of the entire Stočar LSB system.

Prepared by Milica Vučković

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY

Sustainability as a Strategic Priority

Photo: ProCredit bank
Photo: ProCredit bank

In an era where sustainable business practices have become imperative, ProCredit Bank stands out as an institution that not only follows modern standards but also sets them.

We spoke with Nemanja Tomić, member of the Executive Board of ProCredit Bank, about how the bank integrates environmental protection principles into its operations.

Q: ProCredit Bank has been applying sustainability principles for over a decade. How would you define your current environmental protection strategy?

A: Our approach is systematic, comprehensive, and deeply integrated into every aspect of our business. Since 2011, we have been implementing the Group Environmental Management Policy, and since 2016, we have been the first financial institution in Serbia to be certified according to the international ISO 14001:2015 standard. Through our internal Environmental Management System (EMS), we monitor and set concrete targets for resource consumption, waste management, and greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that sustainability cannot be a separate process but must be part of every business decision.

Q: What are the most important results achieved through the implementation of the EMS?

A: We have achieved significant reductions in resource consumption, but perhaps more importantly, we have seen a shift in awareness – both among our employees and clients. We have adapted our work processes to sustainable practices – we have digitalized services to reduce the need for paper documentation, and we systematically evaluate every procurement according to sustainability criteria. Additionally, we transitioned our vehicle fleet to low-emission models and installed over 40 free electric charging stations throughout Serbia to encourage citizens to make environmentally responsible choices. We also regularly measure CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts, which allows us to continuously improve our practices.

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Q: One of the pillars of your strategy is managing credit risks from an environmental perspective. What does that specifically entail?

A: As a financial institution, we are aware that our responsibility extends beyond our internal environmental impact. That’s why we apply the Environmental and Social Risk Management Standard in all lending processes. We have a clearly defined Exclusion List – we do not finance businesses that harm the environment or society. Every client is evaluated from both an environmental and social risk perspective.

Q: ProCredit Bank is also known for the strong development of its green portfolio. How has this segment evolved?

A: Green financing is the third pillar of our strategy. In 2024 alone, we disbursed around 36 million euros in green loans, and the green portfolio currently accounts for about 15% of our total portfolio. Our medium-term goal is to increase that share to 20%. We finance energy efficiency projects, renewable energy sources, and other green initiatives that help our clients reduce costs and improve business quality. It’s also important to note that we are simultaneously raising awareness – through educational events, workshops, and participation in expert conferences.

Q: What are the next major sustainability initiatives you plan to implement?

A: Our goal is to align with the global net-zero strategy. This requires additional investments in renewable energy sources, infrastructure improvements, and further strengthening of our internal culture of responsibility. We are also updating our procurement procedures to ensure that sustainability becomes one of the main criteria in selecting partners.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY

A Market Driving the Transition: Seepex at the Heart of a New Energy Era

Photo: SEEPEX

In the year when the Serbian Power Exchange – SEEPEX marks its tenth anniversary, we spoke with Miloš Mladenović, the CEO of this key energy company, about its development, role in the domestic and regional market, as well as the challenges that the energy transition poses for all stakeholders. From its founding to the present day, SEEPEX has evolved from an innovative idea into a key point on the European energy map, becoming synonymous with market efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. In an interview with Energetski Portal, Mr Mladenović reveals what it takes to build market infrastructure in a dynamic energy environment, what Serbia and the region stand to gain from integration into the ADEX group, and how SEEPEX contributes to strengthening the role of renewable sources and the security of the electricity system.

Q: This year, SEEPEX marks its tenth anniversary. What were the early days of developing an organised electricity market in Serbia like, and where does SEEPEX stand today among European exchanges?

Photo: SEEPEX

A: As the CEO of SEEPEX, I can proudly say that our development, from our founding in 2015 and the launch of the day-ahead market in February 2016 to where we are today, is the result of commitment, innovation, and a clear vision for creating a stable, efficient, and integrated spot electricity market – not only in Serbia but beyond. Thanks to this, SEEPEX has, in just a few years, established itself as a relevant trading platform, not just nationally but also regionally, with a fully developed spot market framework implemented in line with best European practices. (To recall, in cooperation with EEX, the Serbian futures product was launched in 2019 and is listed directly on the EEX financial derivatives platform.) Today, SEEPEX includes 44 participants from 17 European countries, and trading volume is expected to reach around 5.8 TWh this year on the day-ahead market.

It’s important to note that these exceptional business results were achieved under so-called isolated operation – a unique case in the region, where all other exchanges (including those in the EU) only began achieving such business and financial outcomes after implementing market coupling projects, which significantly boosted liquidity.

Moreover, the integration of SEEPEX (one of the initiators of the so-called Blue Sky project that led to the creation of ADEX) into the ADEX Group is a major step toward further regional and European integration of Serbia’s electricity market. Alongside SEEPEX, the ADEX Group includes HUPX (the Hungarian power exchange) and BSP (the Slovenian power exchange), establishing a unified platform that enables greater liquidity, efficiency, and market transparency. Through the synergy of its members’ and owners’ resources, ADEX – with its clearly defined vision of connecting fragmented markets into a single European market – provides a strong foundation for further improving market conditions, as well as a robust and reliable balance between supply and demand in the spot market.

One could say that SEEPEX, together with its partners in the ADEX Group, continues to push boundaries and deliver the highest European standards in exchange market infrastructure. At the same time, it has in many ways realised its original idea of creating a unified regional exchange.

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Q: What benefits has SEEPEX gained from joining the ADEX Group, and what do market participants gain?

A: The first tangible results of the planned synergy within the ADEX Group were achieved just a few months after integration, with the launch of Serbia’s intraday market at the end of July 2023. This was followed by the successful transformation of the Slovenian power exchange BSP’s business model, aligning its clearing function and day-ahead trading platform with that of SEEPEX.

With the planned introduction of a unified membership process and pricing structure, along with harmonised market rules, all participants in the ADEX spot markets will benefit from a so-called one-stop shop solution. This includes harmonised operational and clearing infrastructure, collateral netting and cross-margining, a single procedure, and reduced costs for accessing the spot markets. As the first concrete step in this direction, ADEX will soon implement a unified entry fee, coming into effect mid-month. In practice, this means that all existing participants already trading on one of the three exchanges within the ADEX Group, as well as all new members, will be able to trade on the other exchanges within the group without paying an additional entry fee. This benefit marks the first step in improving service to market participants. Going forward, we will continue strengthening synergies and further harmonising processes within the ADEX Group to equalise business conditions across all markets and enable more efficient and competitive trading.

Q: How important is SEEPEX for the development of renewable energy in Serbia?

A: SEEPEX plays a highly visible and crucial role in this context, particularly in providing a robust and relevant reference price used for longterm financial contracts. This is vital for implementing ongoing government support schemes, industrial and corporate PPAs, and for ensuring a sufficiently liquid day-ahead market capable of absorbing all generated green energy without significantly impacting price levels.

Additionally, the establishment of the intraday spot market has been legally recognised as one of the key prerequisites for the effective integration of renewable electricity sources. It also supports the successful implementation of the new auction-based incentive scheme for long-term power purchase agreements (commonly referred to as Contracts for Difference). Moreover, it plays an important role in reducing balancing costs, both for renewable energy producers and the power system as a whole.

As for SEEPEX’s capacity, with the latest improvements, we can confidently say that the complex market framework has been successfully assembled and is ready to meet the challenges of the green transition. This in turn supports planned actions by state institutions aimed at achieving the ambitious targets of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Furthermore, by advancing the market model – including involving consumption as an active market participant and introducing new market segments such as flexibility markets and peer-to-peer trading – we aim to accelerate the democratisation of the economy. In the context of the electricity market, this means further application of the marginal pricing concept in energy exchanges, voluntary participation of market players, “democratic” formation of reference prices, decentralisation of energy systems, and the introduction of distributed energy resources. Implicitly, it also means empowering individuals and energy communities to have greater influence over the fair allocation, distribution, and management of economic resources.

Interview by Milena Maglovski

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY

Sarajevo – an Example of Sustainable Urban Development

Photo-illustration: Unsplash ( Markus Winkler)
Photo: City of Sarajevo

One of the main priorities of the Sarajevo city authorities is the development of the so-called City Climate Contract, which will be submitted to the European Union. The aim of this document is for the functional urban area of Sarajevo – encompassing the City of Sarajevo, the Sarajevo Canton, and the City of East Sarajevo – to obtain the Net Zero Label.

This label confirms the local authorities’ commitment to climate policy and opens up the opportunity to use funds from European Union sources, which is crucial for implementing green projects.

We spoke with Mayor Predrag Puharić about the specific steps Sarajevo is taking in the fight against climate change, how citizens are getting involved in these processes, and how the quality of life in the city is improving.

Q: What measures is the City of Sarajevo taking to reduce air pollution?

A: Although this area does not fall directly under the jurisdiction of the City of Sarajevo, reducing air pollution is one of our key priorities. When we asked citizens a few years ago what the biggest issues in Sarajevo were, they cited air pollution, public transport, and corruption. In response to the public’s concerns, we have taken it upon ourselves to contribute to solving this pressing problem. We address this issue through the activities of the City Department for Sustainable Development, which enables us to implement various measures and participate in projects and initiatives focused on this issue.

Through the Smart City initiative, in cooperation with UNDP BiH, we have implemented innovative ideas proposed by citizens. Across various projects and initiatives, we aim to increase green areas and urban vegetation by planting trees, creating urban gardens, and introducing other innovative methods and concepts. A significant step in this area is the joint application by the City of Sarajevo, the City of East Sarajevo, and the Sarajevo Canton to join the EU Mission of 100 climate-neutral cities. The functional urban area of Sarajevo, as we named this comprehensive region, has become part of the Mission and is one of only three cities from the Balkans to be accepted. We are currently developing an Action and Investment Plan, which will form part of the so-called City Climate Contract, and are preparing the First Citizens’ Climate Assembly/Forum in Sarajevo on this topic.

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Q: What are the plans to reduce the number of cars in the city centre?

A: Through the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, the City of Sarajevo is working on activities that aim to reduce the use of cars and promote alternative, sustainable forms of urban mobility. We support the efforts and fantastic results of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Transport in improving public transport, which is crucial for reducing the number of cars in the city.

We are developing and expanding cycling infrastructure and promoting cycling in general. Every year, we actively mark European Mobility Week through a range of activities, including subsidies for citizens to purchase bicycles and organizing Bike2Work days to encourage employees in institutions, organizations, and companies to cycle to work.

We are actively working on establishing supporting infrastructure, including the installation of so-called Mobility Islands at two locations. These features include electric vehicle chargers, anti-theft bicycle stands, smart benches, and scooter parking. We are also systematically installing bicycle parking at schools and universities to encourage both students and staff to cycle. Following European and global trends, we support the introduction of new systems, such as electric bicycle rental services, which will offer citizens another form of sustainable mobility and reduce reliance on cars.

Q: How would you assess the waste collection and recycling system?

A: The recycling segment is still significantly behind modern European standards. Aware of this, the City of Sarajevo is making efforts through numerous initiatives to improve both infrastructure and public awareness. To this end, the City works closely with the cantonal public utility company, Rad, and the electronic waste management operator, ZEOS Eco-System, implementing joint actions and pilot projects for sorting, recycling, and education.

One example is the Re-Use Day, which offered citizens a chance to learn, exchange, and donate reusable items. A Cool Bazaar was also held, where children and young people could exchange and sell their used belongings. By involving children and youth, we aim to educate and raise awareness from an early age, thereby promoting a circular economy.

Interview by Jasna Dragojević

The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY.

Wimbledon Balls Serving Nature: A New Life in Mouse Apartments

Foto: OpenAI

In a world where luxury penthouses are sprouting like mushrooms after the rain, and 30-square-meter flats are called “urban oases,” one British initiative has shown that a true host is not measured by square footage, but by care for its tenants. Welcome to the latest ecological sensation: tennis balls transformed into housing complexes for Britain’s smallest mammals — harvest mice.

This is a real conservation project led by the UK-based wildlife charity The Wildlife Trusts, with none other than the prestigious Wimbledon as a key partner — the breeding ground of sports legends and, of course, used tennis balls. Yes, those very balls that once chased after Djokovic and Federer have found a new purpose: they’ve become miniature homes for tiny tenants.

How does it work?

Very simply and ingeniously — you take a tennis ball, cut a small hole in it, and attach it to a post at the edge of a field. Harvest mice, excellent climbers and even better opportunists, move into these “ball-homes” faster than the average person clicks on a “city-center, fully renovated, move-in ready” apartment ad.

As reported by Core77, Wimbledon uses around 55,000 tennis balls every year, so the potential for a future “mouse city” is more than abundant. While humans struggle with the real estate market, these mice have finally found a way to escape the housing crisis.

Why help mice at all?

Harvest mice aren’t pests — they are small, quiet allies of farmers. They help control populations of actual pests, reducing the need for pesticides, and they play a key role in the food chain.

Unfortunately, these rodents face serious challenges. Their natural habitats have been destroyed or fragmented by modern agriculture. Combine harvesters, pesticides, harsh weather, predators — all place enormous pressure on harvest mice, while the question of their survival is rarely considered in development planning or agricultural practices.

Luckily, the tennis ball initiative has proven that these adorable rodents are well worth protecting — even though, as the British conservation group Wildwood notes, they are still not protected by law.

In short — harvest mice deserve a place in the sun, even if it’s through a hole in a tennis ball.

Milena Maglovski

GreenCleanS as a Response to the Environmental Challenges of Oil Regeneration

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (ralph rishi)

The GreenCleanS project, funded under the Green Program of Cooperation between Science and Industry of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, is being implemented by the Institute of Electrical Engineering Nikola Tesla Joint Stock Company, Belgrade, as the lead institution, in partnership with the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy of the University of Belgrade.

Within the GreenCleanS project, an innovative low-temperature technology has been developed for removing elemental sulfur from mineral transformer oils. The presence of elemental sulfur in mineral oil, even at very low concentrations, leads to the formation of conductive deposits of silver (I) sulfide on the silver contacts of the tap selector of the load tap changer, especially at low operating temperatures. This results in the formation of electrically conductive paths, which can ultimately lead to failures of power equipment.

The motivation for developing this innovative technology stems from the need to abandon the risky practice of oil regeneration using reactivated adsorbents, which cause multiple adverse effects. One of them is the generation of dioxin and furan emissions, substances that are extremely toxic to human health and the environment. In addition to the environmental and health hazards associated with oil regeneration, one must also not overlook the technical risks that technologies using reactivating adsorbents carry. Namely, to remove dibenzyl disulfide, these technologies generate elemental sulfur as a byproduct, thus creating a new and escalating problem.

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The development of the GreenCleanS technology involved several successive phases, beginning with laboratory oil treatment, followed by the optimization of process parameters in a pilot plant (TRL 4), and culminating in a final demonstration of the new technology under real-world conditions at the Kolubara A Thermal Power Plant site. This was achieved through the treatment of 3 tons of corrosive oil using a mobile unit developed by the Nikola Tesla Institute (INT), resulting in a higher level of technological readiness — TRL 7. The mobile oil treatment unit is shown in Figure 1.

The newly developed patented GreenCleanS technology, combined with previously patented procedures by the Nikola Tesla Institute for the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and corrosive compounds (DBDS), forms the 3PINT — a unique multifunctional technology.

The INT technology enables PCB decontamination, desulfurization, and re-refining of oil, while also helping to prevent transformer failures caused by the presence of corrosive sulfur.

By implementing the GreenCleanS technology, following regulatory requirements, and the principles of the circular economy, the service life of transformers is extended. The chemical conversion process developed within this technology complies with the principles of Best Environmental Practice (BEP). The competitive advantage of the GreenCleanS technology lies in its significantly lower carbon and overall environmental footprint compared to the competing practice of replacing corrosive oils.

The integration of GreenCleanS technology into standard maintenance procedures for power equipment contributes to the green and sustainable production, distribution, and delivery of electricity.

Institute of Electrical Engineering Nikola Tesla

The story was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY.

Planned Construction of the “Samoš” Wind Farm Enters Public Consultation Phase

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

The construction of the “Samoš” wind farm is planned in the municipalities of Alibunar and Kovačica in southern Banat. In this regard, a public consultation has been opened for the Draft Spatial Plan for the area of special purpose, along with the accompanying Environmental Strategic Impact Assessment Report. The process will last from July 22 to August 20, 2025.

During the public consultation period, citizens, institutions, and other interested parties will have the opportunity to review the documentation, which provides detailed descriptions of the planned wind farm construction, including infrastructure layout, measures for protecting natural resources and cultural heritage, and the implementation approach of planned activities. Comments on the draft can be submitted exclusively in written form no later than August 20. Submissions should be addressed to the Provincial Secretariat for Urban Planning and Environmental Protection in Novi Sad or through the relevant authorities in the municipalities of Alibunar and Kovačica.

Details of the draft and all supporting documents are available on the website of the Provincial Secretariat for Urban Planning and Environmental Protection:

Public Consultation – Samoš Wind Farm

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Technical Specifications of the “Samoš” Wind Farm

The planned “Samoš” wind park is currently the largest project of its kind in Serbia, with a total of 142 wind turbines and an expected installed capacity of 923 megawatts. Located in the municipalities of Kovačica and Alibunar, the wind park spans an area known for its favorable wind potential and intensive agricultural activity. The project is being developed in the immediate vicinity of the already operational “Kovačica” wind farm (38 turbines, 104.5 MW) and the planned “Crepaja” wind farm (30 turbines, up to 220 MW), contributing to the concentration of wind energy capacities in southern Banat.

The distance between the closest turbines of these systems ranges from 4 to 5.5 kilometers. The spatial coverage of the “Samoš” wind park contributes to the creation of a continuous corridor of wind farms in a northwest–southeast direction. The documentation particularly highlights the significant cumulative impact on the landscape’s visual identity, fragmentation of agricultural land, and potential changes in the quality of living conditions for residents of nearby settlements, such as Kovačica, Crepaja, Alibunar, Samoš, and Ilandža. Horizon analyses indicate that the turbines will be visible from distances greater than 30 kilometers.

Energy portal

Up to 3,000 MW of Clean Energy for Google – World’s Largest Hydropower Agreement

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Dan Meyers)

Google and Brookfield have signed a major agreement to supply up to 3,000 MW of clean hydropower for Google’s data centers in the United States. This marks the largest deal of its kind ever signed globally.

The first contracts under this partnership involve two hydroelectric plants in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania – Holtwood and Safe Harbor. These plants will provide a total of 670 MW, with a combined value exceeding three billion dollars, according to Brookfield’s website.

The significance of this agreement lies in the long-term provision of environmentally friendly energy, which is particularly important for regions with a high concentration of data centers.

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In an era of rapid AI development, digitalization, and growing demand for data centers – which often require large amounts of electricity around the clock – energy from renewable and clean sources is becoming increasingly vital.

The contracts were signed for a 20-year period and are part of Google’s broader strategy to rely solely on carbon-free energy by 2030.

Energy Portal

Third-Hottest Year on Record – “Global Drought Hotspots 2023–2025”

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The most widespread and devastating droughts have occurred globally since 2023, continuing into 2025 and leaving serious consequences. The report titled “Global Drought Hotspots 2023–2025”, published with the support of the United Nations (UN), provides an overview of how droughts worsen poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem functionality.

Climate hotspots were recorded from southern and eastern Africa, across the Mediterranean, the Amazon Basin, Panama and Mexico, to Southeast Asia. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation played a key role in the intensity of drought in many of these regions. Although El Niño officially ended in May 2024, the impacts of drought are still being felt in these areas throughout 2025.

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 and 2024 were the two hottest years ever recorded globally (NOAA 2025). The hottest day in Earth’s history was July 22, 2024 (Goddard Digital Team 2024).

“Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in unnoticed, depleting resources and slowly destroying lives. Its scars run deep,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

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Mediterranean

In Spain, droughts impacted agriculture, tourism, and domestic water consumption. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat had reduced olive yields by 50 percent, doubling the price of olive oil. In Morocco, the sheep population in 2025 was 38 percent lower compared to 2016, prompting the King to call for the cancellation of traditional sacrificial rituals. In Turkey, drought accelerated groundwater depletion, caused land subsidence, and endangered communities and infrastructure.

Southeast Asia

Drought disrupted the production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. Dry conditions in Thailand and India during 2023–2024 led to shortages, which in turn drove up prices of sugar and sweets in the U.S. by 8.9 percent.

Africa

In South Africa, already prone to droughts, about 68 million people (approximately one-sixth of the population) were dependent on food aid as of August 2024. In Somalia, at the beginning of 2025, 4.4 million people (a quarter of the population) were facing crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 whose lives were in immediate danger. Zambia experienced one of the worst energy crises in the world, as the Zambezi River dropped to 20 percent of its long-term average in April 2024. The country’s largest hydroelectric facility, the Kariba Dam, fell to just 7 percent of its capacity, causing power outages lasting up to 21 hours a day and the shutdown of hospitals, bakeries, and factories.

Strain on Water Resources

The end of the report includes recommendations for reducing the future impact of droughts, emphasizing the need to recognize and plan for inevitable consequences. Future drought risks will be amplified by climate change, urbanization, and population growth, further straining water resources. Effective management will require proactive, sustainable measures such as improving early warning systems, diversifying energy sources, reducing water demand, and using nature-based solutions.

The new report compiles information from hundreds of governmental, scientific, and media sources to illustrate the effects in the hardest-hit drought hotspots. It was prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA).

Jasna Dragojević

Montenegro’s Environmental Inspectors Uncover Hundreds of Violations in H1 2025

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The Environmental Inspectorate of Montenegro carried out a total of 691 inspections from January 1 to June 30, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development announced. During these inspections, 244 violations were identified, and numerous legal proceedings were initiated against offenders, including 26 criminal charges for more serious breaches of environmental legislation.

Of the total number of inspections, 295 were routine, 289 were prompted by citizen and institutional reports, and 107 were follow-up controls. To address the identified issues, inspectors issued 135 warnings, enacted 63 decisions, submitted 26 requests for misdemeanor proceedings, and imposed 16 fines amounting to a total of €29,050.

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development, Damjan Ćulafić, emphasized that these results were achieved by a small yet highly dedicated team of just seven inspectors working daily in the field.

“Despite frequent criticism and attempts to undermine the work of the inspectorate, the data tells a different story. The Environmental Inspectorate acts promptly, decisively, and in accordance with its legal authorities,” Minister Ćulafić stated.

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The most common violations included operating without required environmental permits, illegal discharge of wastewater, unauthorized activities in protected areas, improper conditions for keeping protected species, and emissions of gases from industrial facilities exceeding legal standards.

A significant number of offenses were also identified in the areas of waste management, failure to comply with environmental impact assessments, lack of monitoring, exceeding noise limits, and failure to report data on polluters.

In the field of radiation safety, reported irregularities included uncontrolled use of ionizing radiation sources, failure to conduct mandatory workplace assessments, and issues in the storage and trade of hazardous chemicals.

The Environmental Inspectorate announced continued intensive activities in the coming period, aiming to enhance environmental responsibility, reduce health risks, and ensure full enforcement of environmental regulations.

Minister Ćulafić also reminded the public that 1,831 inspections were conducted in the entirety of 2024, underlining that environmental protection is not a matter of choice, but a legal and moral obligation—with the inspectorate serving as the first line of defense against irresponsible behavior toward nature.

Energy portal

Energy Week Western Balkans 2025: Three Months to Go

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

With just three months to go until Energy Week Western Balkans 2025, organisers are gearing up to welcome the region’s most influential energy leaders on 8–9 October at the five-star Maestral Resort & Casino, Sveti Stefan. Now entering its fourth year, this is the only event that brings together Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia & Herzegovina plus Croatia, forging a unique bridge between EU markets and the Western Balkans’ dynamic energy landscape.

The Western Balkans has set itself an ambitious roadmap to deliver 20 GW of new renewable capacity by 2040. Solar PV leads the charge in both growth rate and absolute gigawatts, while onshore wind, small scale hydropower and energy storage round out the mix. Hitting this target means sustaining an average build-out of just over 1 GW a year – a stretch but one that’s entirely within reach given current project pipelines and investor appetite.

To turn forecasts into reality, governments across the WB6 and Croatia are rolling out competitive auctions, streamlined permitting and market premium support schemes, all backed by the EBRD, the EU and other international partners. Transmission system operators are meanwhile upgrading grids and boosting interconnections to absorb variable renewables and enable a truly integrated regional market by the mid-2030s – a critical stepping stone towards the 2040 target. With auctions already unlocking gigawatts in Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro’s upcoming first solar auction will add further momentum, ensuring the region stays firmly on track to meet its 20 GW goal.

Montenegro’s Ministry of Energy and Mining is set to launch its first competitive auction for solar energy, offering market premiums for up to 250 MW of new photovoltaic capacity.

Unrivalled Representation and Curated Audience

Energy Week Western Balkans has built its reputation on securing attendance from the very top of government and industry. Participants will include:

  • Ministers and senior policymakers from every WB6 nation and Croatia
  • Chairmen and CEOs of state generating companies (Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), KESH, ESM (Elektrani na Severna Makedonija), Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EP BiH))
  • Heads of TSOs, market operators and power exchanges (OST, MEPX, SEEPEX, ALPEX, KOSTT, CGES)
  • International investors, developers and financiers (UGT Renewables, Masdar, Alcazar Energy, DRI, Notus Energy, European Energy, Statkraft, Acciona, ERBD, IFC, World Bank, EIB).

This year’s line-up delivers the most comprehensive regional representation ever assembled, ensuring every discussion, deal and connection is informed by the people making the biggest decisions in the sector.

Impactful Sessions on Today’s Most Pressing Topics

Across two days of panels and discussions, delegates will tackle the challenges and opportunities shaping the Western Balkans’ energy transition:

  • Ministerial Panel: The Path to 2040 – Charting the roadmap to 20 GW of new renewables with national and EU policy alignment
  • Hybrid Renewables Era – Integrating solar, wind and storage for a resilient power system
  • De-risking Utility-Scale Projects – Innovative blended finance models and CfD-style guarantees to unlock investment
  • Next-Gen PPAs – Synthetic contracts and corporate procurement strategies for cross-border renewables
  • Grid Modernisation & Market Integration – Upgrades, interconnections and power exchange evolution for a fully integrated regional market.

Each session is designed for maximum insight, featuring only forward-thinking experts and real-world case studies.

Unprecedented Networking in a Structured B2B Zone

Networking is at the very heart of Energy Week Western Balkans. For 10+ hours over two days, the event’s dedicated B2B zone offers a structured layout with comfortable meeting pods, onsite support staff and curated introductions to ensure every conversation drives results. From informal coffee breaks to the vibrant “Watt-A-Night” beach gala, opportunities to connect have been engineered for efficiency and impact.

InNet Connect: Your Bespoke Event App

After years spent cultivating this community, Invest In Network proudly launches InNet Connect, the organiser’s bespoke B2B app that lets delegates explore detailed company profiles and attendee contacts and send meeting requests with a single tap.

App access opens one week before the event, giving participants plenty of time to strategise and connect.

Years of Community, One Defining Moment

Since its inception, Energy Week Western Balkans has been the event where governments, utilities, regulators and investors have forged the partnerships that drive the region’s energy transition. The 2025 edition promises to deliver even more value, more deals and more vision than ever before.

Registration & Further Information

For full details and registration, visit: https://wbenergyweek.com/

For enquiries:
Invest In Network
Email: info@investinnet.com

Source: Energy Week Western Balkans

UNEP, Australia Announce Landmark Study to Improve Understanding of Coal and Steel Sector Methane Emissions

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Dominik Vanyi)

The UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), with the support of Australia, today launched a new research project aimed at improving the accuracy of methane emissions data from coal mines.

The study will be the first of its kind in the world. Using a simulated open-cut coal mine, where coal is dug up from the surface, scientists will evaluate the capabilities of innovative measurement technologies — from ground-based sensors to aircraft and satellites — for tracking emissions and guiding mitigation efforts across the coal and steel sectors.

A major source of methane emissions, coal mines represent a significant climate opportunity — particularly for the steel industry, which uses metallurgical coal as a fuel source. Last year, the coal sector released around 40 million tonnes of methane across the globe, making it the energy sector’s second-largest methane emitter. But globally emissions from coal mines remain poorly monitored and reported and emissions from open-cut coal mines are particularly difficult to measure.

The study’s findings will improve methane monitoring and inform the development of regulatory frameworks and strategies to reduce methane emissions, which drive roughly a third of current global warming.

“Accurate, reliable data is critical to finding opportunities for mitigation and tracking progress,” said Martin Krause, Director of UNEP’s Climate Change Division. “By assessing which tools are most suitable for measuring methane emissions in this particular mine environment, we will ensure that we have the right information to seize this low-hanging climate opportunity.”

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The Australian Government pledged AUD 5.5 M (~USD 3.2M) of new funding to UNEP’s IMEO to conduct the study. The contribution is aligned with Australia’s objective to build new clean energy industries through its Future Made in Australia agenda. Decarbonising metals is a priority for Australia, both due to its potential to significantly reduce global emissions and the economic opportunity for Australia.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

Methane from metallurgical coal adds roughly a quarter to the climate footprint of blast furnace steel — the majority of steel — but could be mitigated at roughly one per cent of the price of steel. This represents a major untapped opportunity for swift climate action.

Methane emissions must be reduced by at least 30 per cent by 2030 to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature limit within reach. Accordingly, this is the target set by the Global Methane Pledge, which brings together more than 155 countries, including Australia, to accelerate methane emissions reductions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Open-cut coal mines are the most common type of coal mine in Australia, where the landmark experiment will take place, and are a major source of emissions in the steel supply chain.

With higher-quality data, governments and industry can better understand the steel sector’s supply chain emissions and develop strategies to mitigate them. Globally, most reporting relies on generic emissions factors, which often fail to capture the wide range of emissions that come from open-cut coal mines. But new science and technologies are putting more actionable data within reach.

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen noted, “Australia is committed to ensuring that its world-class national inventory systems continue to use best available technologies and methods. We are pleased to make this contribution to helping all countries better understand and manage open-cut coal mine fugitive methane emissions.”

Source: UNEP

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