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Why is the desulfurization system at TENT important for Serbia?

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Joey Harris)
Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Eduardo Jaeger)

While environmental problems like pollution and climate change have caused countries around the world to embark on an energy transition, Serbia still largely relies on one energy source – coal. If go deeper into the problem, the coal used in our country is mostly of poor quality, which is why it is more correct to call it lignite. The extent to which this energy source is present in our country is shown by the fact that, in proportion to its size, Serbia ranks high on the list of the largest producers of lignite in the world.

Especially during the winter period, Serbia also ranks high when it comes to air pollution, to which coal contributes significantly, both by thermal power plants using it to generate energy and by households who use traditional furnaces. For example, according to data on the IQAir website, on February 13 of this year, Belgrade ranked fifth in the world in terms of air pollution in major cities, yet at the same time, five cities in Serbia were even more polluted than Belgrade.

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Although we cannot currently follow the successes achieved by some more developed countries, when it comes to switching to cleaner energy sources, some steps are being taken after all. Especially in the past year, there a lot of effort was invested into replacing old coal-fired boiler plants with new ones that run on some other energy source throughout our country. Some examples of this are the new gas boiler plant in Guča and the pellet boiler plant in Osečina. In addition to the implemented projects, we should also mention those that are planned. This year, the Republic of Serbia’s government had a meeting at which they adopted a decree regarding the shutdown of boiler plants with a capacity of fewer than 50 megawatts, which, among other things, rely on coal and can be connected to a district heating system or a gas pipeline. Niš was one of the Serbian cities that was classified as the most polluted on February 13 and the good news is that the plan is to shut down its biggest polluter – the boiler room in the University building.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

No matter how good these examples are, they are only ‘examples’, showing how dependent Serbia is on coal and how much work lies ahead when it comes to switching to cleaner energy sources. Thermal power plants remain the most significant source of pollution in our country. The Nikola Tesla thermal power plant (TENT) burns between 28 and 30 million tonnes of coal annually. The TENT has five organizational units, among which are the largest TENT A in Obrenovac, which consists of six blocks with a total power of 1,765.6 megawatts, and TENT B in Ušće, which has two blocks of 650 megawatts each, and they produce more than 50 percent of electricity in Serbia.

The most significant and largest project implemented in the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) was launched in 2019, during which a desulfurization system will be built at TENT A. The project, which should reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions 10 times, is expected to end this year. Just one year later, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the desulphurization system at TENT B took place and the construction of this system should be completed in 2024. Thanks to this plant, all SO2 emissions should be reduced by 20 times, more precisely from the current 80,000 to 4,500 tonnes.

In Serbia, the SO2 emission level is several times higher than the permitted level, however, as reported by the EPS, with the commissioning of the flue gas desulphurization plant, the quantity of SO2 in the flue gases will be within the limits of European standards.

Katarina Vuinac

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS THE BEST WAY TO SAVE ENERGY

Photo: ABB
Photo: ABB

You surely remember how, a few years ago, we massively started replacing the classic incandescent light bulb with LED ones, with the former illuminating almost all homes and business premises in our country with their characteristic yellowish light for decades. At the time, it may have seemed to us that the savings would be significant or sufficient and that we had done the right thing. If someone had asked us about the meaning of the term energy efficiency, we would have proudly mentioned the savings made by our new LED bulbs.

However, global changes ensued, and the need for additional resources is increasing while the resources are becoming scarcer. Meanwhile, energy has become expensive, becoming a new strategic “commodity”. When technology companies started looking for all possible ways to save energy, we realized that energy efficiency encompasses far more than we could have imagined. One such company has been developing incredibly innovative solutions for years – the renowned ABB Company. It seems that this time around, they have gone a step further. Milan Jevremović, General Manager of Electric Motor Drives and Local Business Manager at ABB Serbia, told us more about it.

EP: ABB has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the need for rational energy consumption. What were the reasons behind it?

Milan Jevremović: We launched the Energy Efficiency Movement campaign two years ago to bring together companies, scientific and state institutions, and individuals who recognized the need to implement energy efficiency. We wanted to promote this idea and highlight the global need for energy and its efficient use. As the world population grows, the energy demand also increases, but disproportionately compared to the existing production capacities. Humanity faces a severe lack of energy and must undertake all required activities to use existing resources as efficiently as possible.

Furthermore, with the progress of automation, digitization and the new Industry 4.0, the need for energy increases, and thus the consumption of existing resources. All of this has greatly impacted the environment and increased CO2 emissions. When our company, ABB, launched a campaign intending to inform and educate people about the necessity of protecting the environment and reducing CO2 emissions, which is in line with all the values that the ABB Company promotes typically.

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EP: State institutions, the media, and the non-governmental sector launch similar campaigns. How did ABB handle this role?

Photo: ABB

Milan Jevremović:  It is pretty logical that technology companies like ABB and our partners participate in the campaign because they are the most knowledgeable about how to make the best use of new technologies. It was also essential to involve scientific institutions so that they could contribute to better and more efficient use of energy with the help of science-based facts. The presence of state institutions was necessary, too, because that’s where the decision-makers are, and they have to react faster, in terms of faster decision-making and passing regulations that would contribute to better utilization and improvement of energy efficiency. Big cities and certain countries already have defined strategies for saving energy and impacting the environment.

ABB launched this campaign before the outbreak of the global energy crisis, which only demonstrated how necessary such an initiative was. The crisis has additionally raised people’s awareness of the need for faster investment in energy efficiency and better utilization of energy from existing resources, and thus contributed to our campaign in search of answers to the challenges of the increased need for energy. The campaign is envisaged to last for four years.

Otherwise, energy efficiency is the cheapest and most available energy resource. More and more segments can apply energy-saving measures, and we see the potential in almost all areas, including homes, industry, and sustainable transport.

EP: Which companies supported your campaign and in what way?

Milan Jevremović: ABB has practically always taken care of energy efficiency, which is not a novel topic for us. For many years, we have had a sustainability strategy and a green agenda on which all systems and services in the company are based. However, the Energy Efficiency Movement campaign was designed as a movement without a direct connection with ABB products.

Over 300 companies worldwide have supported this movement, including Microsoft, Sulzer, Alfa Laval, Wartsila, Iveco, Tata Steel, GEA, and many other renowned firms. The number of partners is growing every day. For instance, the Danfoss Company has recently joined the movement, which I am pleased about because it shows that, although we are competitors in some areas of business, together we feel that we can make a bigger difference by helping the world move towards a greener and more ecologically clean future. The energy efficiency movement is fully committed to raising awareness and expediting the actions needed to increase global energy efficiency, and we encourage all companies and organizations to join in and make a difference.

We plan to locally organize a broader energy efficiency symposium for large manufacturing companies, to which we will invite relevant scientific institutions too. We aim to jointly contribute to implementing the strategy and consider further plans. One such symposium at the European level was recently held in Switzerland for the top management of interested companies. The symposium drew very useful conclusions and gave birth to new and interesting ideas.

EP: Which ABB’s technological novelties would you like to mention as potential solutions for saving energy or increasing energy efficiency?

Photo: ABB

Milan Jevremović: ABB offers a wide range of products and services that directly or indirectly contribute to the increased energy efficiency of our clients. They don’t always have to be completely new solutions. These are often products that have been on the market for a long time. Still, ABB has invested decades of experience and improved them to better contribute to increasing energy efficiency for our clients. As one of the good examples, I would like to mention certain technological advances in the manufacture of electric motors.

In 2021, the European Union adopted a new law that prevents the sale and use of energy-inefficient electric motors. This year, that regulation will introduce even stricter rules regarding the energy efficiency of devices in the EU. No one will impose that regulation on Serbia because we are not an EU member. Still, with current electricity prices, a large number of companies operating in Serbia recognize the potential for savings and will decide to invest in more energy-efficient plants.

ABB is working on developing electric motors with the highest energy efficiency level, far higher than what is currently required by EU legislation. Technologies that were not in widespread commercial use until recently, such as synchronous reluctance motors or motors with permanent magnets, are also used.

I would also like to mention the energy assessment service that we offer to our clients. This type of energy efficiency analysis of their facilities can be done on several levels. The latest option is the so-called digital energy assessment that, in addition to the service itself, also uses certain sensors that provide precise information about each drive. The conclusions indicate opportunities to boost energy efficiency. Thanks to this, we can analyze the electric motor drive even better and propose the best solutions to our clients for certain factory segments or complete factories.

The energy efficiency concept has evolved and has become more comprehensive, so today, we talk about energy-efficient industrial plants, heating, cooling, lighting, etc. ABB can offer state-of-the-art solutions for each of these processes.

For a long time, there has been a lot of talk about switching to electric vehicles in road traffic, and we have a lot of technological solutions to offer in that department too. In the last two years, we have been mainly working on modern technologies in sustainable transport and energy-efficient vehicles for industry, primarily in improving construction machines and tow trucks, but also in railway traffic. That’s the latest step we’ve taken.

EP: You have been doing business in Serbia for many years. Which major energy efficiency projects would you single out in particular?

Milan Jevremović: ABB has been working on the development of modern technology for years, and some of our achievements have been implemented in Serbia. I would like to point out the revitalization of the Bajina Bašta reversible hydroelectric power plant, in which ABB played a significant role and helped the entire power plant work even more efficiently, increasing its operational readiness and better use of the existing hydro potential.

By installing ABB’s static frequency converter, which was commissioned last year, the Bajina Bašta power plant will generate significant

 savings, primarily based on the increased operational readiness of the hydroelectric power unit. In situations where the hydrological situation is favorable, the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) will be able to use the water in the reservoir much more efficiently and produce additional megawatts of green energy. I would also like to mention the project titled ‘Monitoring and Management of Coal Quality’, which we implemented at the Nikola Tesla thermal power plant. It is a well-known fact that using coal that has constant quality results in better combustion in the boiler, higher efficiency and lower emission of harmful gases. We are proud to say that ABB, together with EP S’ engineering team, has done one such, I would say, referential project because there are very few such projects implemented worldwide.

I especially want to highlight our excellent cooperation with EPS on this and similar projects.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

PILLARS OF SUPPORT FOR COMPANIES IN TIMES OF ENERGY CRISIS

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay
Photo: courtesy of Ljubinko Savić

The implementation of energy measures at all levels marked the year behind us. The business sector is a significant factor of the entire society, which is why companies’ adaptation to the existing energy crisis was on the list of priority issues. The Association for Energy and Mining, an organizational unit within the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS), was one of the bodies that provided support in that process. We spoke about this with Ljubinko Savić, the Association’s Secretary.

When there is an energy crisis and disrupted energy flows, companies are forced to turn, as our interlocutor states, first of all, to energy-saving opportunities at the company level and then to energy sources that are easily available, affordable and stable.

PKS reacted very quickly to the new circumstances and helped its members to report problems through having a specialized information centre where companies could obtain information about key issues related to doing business with companies from the Russian Federation and Ukraine, find new supply or export markets and connect to potential new partners. At the same time, PKS worked on connecting companies on the domestic market, promoting, and educating about alternative energy sources, competencies of the Serbian economy, green technologies, circular economy principles, decarbonization process and fair transition. Significant cooperation was also with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and relevant ministries.

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In 2022, the Association held a series of workshops that provided companies with all the necessary information and brought them closer to the buyer-producer instrument.

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (geralt)

“We held some of the workshops independently, with the chamber system’s resources, and some in cooperation with the USAID Better Energy programme. Another important activity we carried out was familiarizing energy and industrial companies with the announced protective mechanism of cross-border CO2 taxation, the so-called CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) and the related ETS CO2 trading system. It is a novelty for our industrial enterprises. Energy companies are familiar with this, but not in-depth, so we will engage more in this activity in the future too. The CBAM mechanism is essential for our companies that are export-oriented and connected to the supply chain of European chains of producers, so they must receive the correct and timely information and be ready when the time for the full implementation of this mechanism in Europe comes”, says Mr Savić.

Speaking about the success of implementing energy efficiency measures within various economic activities, Mr Savić presented the very diverse results of research conducted in November last year. On the one hand, some companies are highly aware of the importance of a new, sustainable economic model based on green economy principles. These companies are aware of the energy transition. From the very beginning, they use energy-efficient materials, base production on BAT technologies, integrate RES, and treat waste as a potential for added value and not as a surplus to be thrown away. Such companies have formed teams to implement energy efficiency measures, appointed a person in charge, conducted employee training, and some have an energy manager.

However, a large number of companies do not have organized management of energy and energy consumption but can partly replace the current electricity consumption with some other type of energy. The companies point out that this is a long-term investment that requires significant funds and depends on the type of existing devices and equipment and the features of the buildings in which their production systems are located.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (ColiN00B)

The energy crisis prompted the necessity of introducing the Strategic Energy Management System (SEM) in energy-intensive enterprises and facilities with high consumption of final energy. The Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy stipulates the activities, procedures and resources needed to achieve the energy efficiency goals in the company’s policy.

The Association for Energy and Mining acts in the context of the Chamber’s overall work, and its activities are often related and directed towards fulfilling expressed needs and protecting the interests of the entire economy. The working model set up in this way has resulted in the Association providing members for several working groups that have been drafting important strategic energy documents and preparing draft laws and other regulations important for energy subjects and energy as an economic branch.

Furthermore, the Association held training sessions for businesses that want to integrate RES into their business models and several thematic meetings dedicated to connecting new electricity production facilities to the power grid. The Association also researched the application of energy efficiency measures in industry and participated in developing a study of the oil derivatives market in the Republic of Serbia.

In 2023, new strategic documents should be adopted, and certain energy regulations will be amended, with planned public hearings about them. According to our interlocutor, they hope to work with the Government and the Ministry of Mining and Energy on this. Holding seminars for businesses on electricity production from RES for needs will continue in the remaining 10 regional chambers. The implementation of a new training programme on energy efficiency in industrial processes is also being prepared, which will be adapted to individual industrial branches.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

ABB helps ensure sustainable power at 75th Formula E race as title sponsor

Photo: ABB
Photo: ABB

This weekend, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Jakarta for a double header in the Indonesian capital, with the first of the two races being ABB’s 75th as title sponsor.

The 2.37 km, purpose-built circuit is set against the backdrop of Jakarta Bay in the northern region of the city. Featuring 18 turns and a long, fast start/finish straight, the track is sure to lead to some thrilling racing in the Indonesian heat.

As it did for the first staging of the Jakarta E-Prix last year, ABB is working with Indonesian state-owned electricity company, PLN, to provide the highest level of security, efficiency, and convenience for the event’s power supply. ABB’s medium-voltage UniSec switchgear will be used to switch loads from a primary to a back-up power source if the primary power source fails, keeping the steady delivery of critical power supply for the entire race infrastructure. The company’s Relion REC615 grid automation relay offers the advanced protection functionality needed, as well as remote operation and control for increased safety.  According to PLN, the power supplied to the circuit will be sourced from geothermal and environmentally friendly hydropower.

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Karin Lepasoon, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, ABB, said: “It is important to have this milestone sustainability showcase of our 75th race as title sponsor in the most populous city in Southeast Asia (approximately 10.5 million people), where we are working to provide technology and solutions which help combat climate change-related issues. Key focus areas are electrification end energy efficiency – two topics which fit perfectly with an electric motor-racing series, where managing energy effectively is key to success.”

ABB provides solutions that contribute to the ongoing energy transition and deliver major reductions in emissions and environmental impacts in Jakarta and across Indonesia. An example of this is the company’s Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) PowerWave33 which was used by PLN for the G20 summit in Bali last year to guarantee continuous power availability with a small footprint, while also using less energy than comparable products to deliver significant savings.

At the Nestlé factory in Indonesia, ABB supplies smart sensors which, alongside ABB AbilityTM Condition Monitoring, enable monitoring of motors and rotating equipment to improve maintenance capabilities and improve energy efficiency.

Photo: ABB

As well as energy efficiency, the series is also a platform for the latest e-mobility technologies, with ABB taking on the role of Official Charging Partner this season. A market leader in EV charging technology, ABB has installed around 400 chargers in Indonesia to date and facilitated a number of firsts in the country such as the installation of the Terra AC wallboxin a premium apartment building in South Jakarta, making it the first apartment building in Indonesia with an EV charging facility. The company also implemented its digitally enabled Terra DC wallbox charging solution at one of Indonesia’s first fast charging stations.

ABB is continuing to work to improve the charging options available for businesses and consumers in the country. For example, ABB, ABB E-mobility and PLN Icon Plus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaboration to grow the EV charging infrastructure in Indonesia. The companies will form a synergy in EV charging services which shall include but not be limited to technology assessment, market research, developing a Charging Station Management System (CSMS) platform, undertaking marketing activities, and the deployment of EV chargers.

Following the double-header in Jakarta, the series will head to Portland, USA, for the first time on June 24th. The season 9 calendar comprises 16 races in 11 global locations.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. 

About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:

As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.

The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities are united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and planet. 

Source: ABB

GREEN INVESTMENTS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE

Photo-illustration Pixabay (Frank Nürnberger)
Photo: courtesy of Mirjana Sučević

The advantages of energy-efficient, sustainable solutions in business have long been recognized, and citizens, who pay the most for the current energy crisis, are slowly realizing all the benefits of their application. Although the data show that more and more people are ready to adapt their businesses and households to the new standards, in Serbia, that percentage is still significantly lower compared to Western Europe. Initial investments are the main brake that prevents entrepreneurs and citizens in our country from turning to new, more modern and efficient technologies. To questions about how this problem can be overcome and whether banks can change citizens’ perception when investing in sustainable solutions, we sought answers from Mirjana Sučević, Head of the department for working with the population and for very small businesses from ProCredit Bank.

EP: ProCredit Bank has been introducing innovations in its operations for years, following world trends. How do you do it?

Mirjana Sučević: Even today, as twenty-two years ago, when we started doing business in the Serbian market, the goals were always clear – client satisfaction and as simple and comfortable as possible, yet completely secure banking. Thus, following the trends, especially in Germany, where our parent company is located, but also the contemporary needs of society, we decided almost a decade ago that it was time to change the way we do business, that is, to become the first 100 per cent online bank in Serbia. We live fast, time is running out, and in such a world, people appreciate when they don’t have to go to the bank. Let’s be realistic, banks are not our favorite, but we need them, so the relationship must be favorable for the client.

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EP: How important is the green segment in your business, and how do you convey it to clients?

Mirjana Sučević: We are happy to point out that energy efficiency and a green approach in everything we do are an integral part of our corporate DNA. That is indeed so. We know that as an institution, we have a responsibility towards the environment in which we operate. As we have always believed that we should start from ourselves, the changes came first at the internal level, and that is how we have developed our approach to environmental protection over the years. It consists of three pillars, where the first refers to the internal environmental management system, the second refers to the management of environmental and social risks in lending, and the third deals with green financing. It is very important for us to communicate energy-efficient solutions through the products we offer, such as the GEFF loan in cooperation with the EBRD, with a return of up to 20 per cent, which can be used to finance new joinery, a heat pump, insulation, solar panels and more. Also, through educational posts on social networks, blogs and various other activities such as public appearances and participation in events, we try to raise awareness about environmental pollution and show ways to change it. The green segment is important at the level of the entire ProCredit Group, which recently became a Net Zero banking alliance member, and joined the community that acts on plastic pollution (Finance Leadership Group on Plastics UNEP FI).

EP: How do you help clients follow all procedures when using a banking service?

Foto: ProCredit banka

Mirjana Sučević: Procedures exist and are always there to protect the client himself, but also us as a bank. We have simplified the procedures as much as possible to expose clients to as little stress as possible when making important life decisions, such as taking out a home loan. We are constantly available to clients in the Online Center, there are 24/7 Infophones in all our Zones, and we are in constant contact with clients through social networks. We are not a classic bank because our business does not involve the promotion of consumer loans, but we always look at the client’s creditworthiness. The conditions are, therefore, different compared to other banks, and we must promote investments first of all because if you already have to repay the loan, then let it be for some higher goal.

EP: At a time of great energy crisis and appeals for energy saving, we are considering improving energy efficiency in our homes, which represents a serious financial challenge. How can your client overcome it?

Mirjana Sučević: The geopolitical crisis brought inflation and energy deficit, but above all, it forced us to change our perception. Electricity obtained from solar panels or heating and cooling with heat pumps are no longer unthinkable. It has been the standard in the Western European market for years. Initial investments are not small, but the savings and benefits will be noticeable very quickly. One of the ways to find the necessary funds are loans, and we offer our clients GEFF, which are realized in cooperation with the EBRD, which are loans with a return of up to 20 per cent. Clients understand the benefits of energy-efficient solutions, especially since we advise them in every step, from choosing a supplier to checking the invoice and the amount of return they can achieve. The great thing is that with this loan, you can finance everything from external and internal wall insulation to new joinery, a heat pump, and solar panels. Also, it is a relief that for amounts up to RSD 600,000, clients do not have to come to the bank but do everything completely online, and for larger amounts, it is necessary to go to the bank to sign the contract on the day of the loan disbursement.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY FACTOR WHEN BUYING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES IN SERBIA

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)
Photo: courtesy of dr Mirko Đapić

It seems that raising awareness of the need for a rational attitude towards energy and energy products is more important than the establishment of energy efficiency measures because where it does not exist, the introduction of mandatory measures is inevitable. The “Turn to Green” campaign, created in cooperation between the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the European Union, was aimed precisely at informing citizens to influence awareness of the importance of choosing more energy-efficient products when purchasing. We spoke with Mirko Đapić, PhD, one of the key experts on the project Eco-design and energy labeling of products, about the results of the implemented campaign and the awareness of our citizens about energy efficiency.

The main communication channels of the part of the campaign dedicated to citizens were the media. At the same time, training was held for sellers, distributors, small and medium-sized enterprises and employees of the Ministry of Mining and Energy. More than 70 media participated in the implementation of this campaign through advertising spots and guest appearances by project collaborators on television with a national frequency, as well as on the radio. Also, video materials were distributed through social networks, billboards were placed in 40 locations, and printed materials were distributed to citizens. There were stickers on city buses.

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Speaking about the achieved results, Mirko Đapić, PhD, says they are satisfied with what has been achieved. It is supported by the results of the public opinion poll conducted at the beginning and end of the campaign.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (stevepb)

“We can state that there has been an increase in the number of Serbian citizens familiar with the concept of energy efficiency compared to the situation before the campaign was launched. For example, 81 per cent of respondents claim to be familiar with this term (77 per cent before the start of the campaign), 68 per cent of respondents are aware of the meaning of the energy class labels on the electrical devices they use (66 per cent before the campaign), while 72 per cent know that the device is more efficient if its estimated energy efficiency is rated green (68 per cent before the start of the campaign)”, says our interlocutor.

Nevertheless, the doubts present among citizens regarding energy efficiency are still great and are especially pronounced among the elderly population, citizens with a lower level of education, as well as those with lower personal and family incomes. When asked whether the reason for the insufficient response of citizens to the call for the replacement of products with higher energy efficiency is financial or a lack of awareness, Mirko Đapić, PhD, says 41 that the answer includes both reasons.

According to him, one of the key motives of citizens when buying products is still the savings they can achieve. That is why it is necessary, and the media is expected, to inform the citizens of the result of choosing energy-efficient products, which is reflected not only in the contribution to the preservation of the environment but also in financial savings.

However, it is necessary to work on enabling more favorable purchases for those groups of citizens who cannot make purchases due to insufficient income, through financial incentives, deferred payment, payment in installments, and exchanging old for new.

It is necessary to focus the activities on developing awareness of personal contribution to the increase of energy efficiency among citizens and among sellers of household appliances because they can also be one of the channels of influence, bearing in mind the significant reliance on their recommendations.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (PhotoMIX-Company)

“For example, respondents who come from Vojvodina and Western Serbia and Šumadija, as well as from rural areas of Serbia, above average rely on recommendations, and the sellers themselves confirm this finding,” says Mirko Đapić.

Although sellers claim that all products are adequately marked with energy efficiency labels, it seems that customers still do not pay much attention to these labels. It is confirmed by the fact that more than 60 per cent of citizens do not know that there have been changes in the scaling of energy efficiency labels.

The results of a survey conducted as part of the project before the launch of the “Turn to Green” campaign show that when buying home appliances in Serbia, the brand of the appliance has a decisive influence, as confirmed by 33 per cent of the respondents. This is followed by the price of the device (30 per cent), low power consumption (13 per cent) and the possibility of purchasing the device in installments (6 per cent). Based on these results, we can conclude that only 13 per cent of Serbian citizens are guided by the energy efficiency of the appliances when purchasing them, while in the EU, it is about 79 per cent of citizens.

“That is one of the main reasons why the EU, through the application of legislation in the field of eco-design and energy labeling of products, reduced household electricity consumption by 20 per cent from 1990 to 2020, taking 1990 as the base year,” says Đapić.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

THE COMPANY ENERGETIK ENERGIJA D.O.O. CONQUERS THE BALKAN MARKET

Photo-illustration: Pexels (Kelly)
Photo: Milena Hrasnik

Research said that solar and wind energy has expanded during the past several years, and now they make up more than 10 per cent of global electricity. When it comes to solar energy, growth is notable, and the global capacity is expected to grow more than double by 2025 and continue in the following years. Balkan is on a good path, however, it will take time for this renewable energy to become an energy mainstay in households in Serbia and, thus, a part of our daily life.

Riccardo Frisinghelli, CEO of Energetik Energija d.o.o., confirms for our Magazine that the growth of solar energy usage is expected to increase in the coming years. As a specialized distributor of photovoltaic material, Energetik Energija d.o.o is expanding and growing each year and only by providing a different approach to clients. Energetik Energija d.o.o., doesn’t just bring products, prices, or readyto-stock availability but also a human approach, where all the clients and potential ones are listened to and understood, after which the company can suggest solutions to customers easily.

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EP: The company Energetik Enerija d.o.o. was created due to 20 years of experience and enthusiasm in the energy and renewable energy field. What can you offer your clients today?

Photo: Energetik Enerija

Riccardo Frisinghelli: What Energetik Energija d.o.o., offers to all its customers, wherever they are in the world, is that we don’t just sell products. We’re not just a product list and availability. To be a specialized distributor of photovoltaic material like we are, having availability and prices that are appropriate to the market is part of the DNA of a company, and I don’t see it as something special. What I see as something special is a company’s approach, actively listening to the customer and understanding their needs to design the technological solution together. That’s why I believe Energetik Energija d.o.o. doesn’t just bring products, prices, or ready-to-stock availability. To be the right supplier for photovoltaic installers around the world, it’s not enough to have ready-made materials and prices. We must demonstrate what’s behind the availability, study the markets to understand what products to have ready, listen to our partners to understand when they need them and try to anticipate their needs. Having a full warehouse has never been a characteristic that Energetik Energija d.o.o. boasts about. But having a ready warehouse with products based on our customers’ forecasts is. The customer feels understood by us, my colleagues are always available to listen, and no one waits for more than 24 hours for an answer because we know that speed is essential. Time is not a variable; it’s a factor in the business operation. The installers who turn to us need quick answers and the product only when they can go to install it. With Energetik Energija d.o.o., that’s exactly what happens. You’re heard, we find the solution together, and when you must go on the roof, your product will be in the warehouse ready for you. That’s what Energetik Energija d.o.o. does: we listen, learn, and once we’ve learned, we suggest solutions to customers. The technological solutions that we offer are based on a thorough study of the customer’s needs and the market. That’s why Energetik Energija d.o.o. is constantly looking to improve to be the right partner for photovoltaic installers in Serbia.

EP: You have been in this business for a long time. How fast is the technology in this field advancing? Which segment of progress would you single out in particular?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: I have been working in the photovoltaic industry since 2007, always with leading companies on the market. I started in the Italian market and went through all the challenges, ups and downs, to become an international manager at VP Solar. It is a difficult question because I have witnessed many technological innovations that have changed this market over the years. Undoubtedly, we now live in a completely different world regarding technology. Just think of the big challenges related to storage systems and electric mobility. The production of photovoltaic modules has changed a lot, and the industrial economy of scale has led to the fact that today we have prices that allow everyone to install solar panels on their roofs. However, I still want to believe that, despite very useful incentives to stimulate the market, in addition to increasingly powerful photovoltaic modules, more efficient inverters, larger storage capacities and electric mobility, the real development lies in smart grids where each of us can use electricity as a value that we can exchange and share with our fellow citizens and neighbors. For me, energy sharing is essential in all the proposed technologies. In a network where energy can be shared, we will truly feel like we are all part of a system that is geared towards change.

EP: The use of solar energy in the last few years has been experiencing expansion. How do you see it, and what do you expect from the next years?

Photo: Energetik Enerija

Riccardo Frisinghelli: It is, more or less, natural flow. The growth of solar energy usage is expected to increase in the coming years. The adoption of solar energy is followed by technological advancements, decreasing costs and government incentives with different financing for renewable energy, and they result in more than logical growth of the photovoltaic industry. The global solar energy capacity is expected to grow more than double by 2025 and continue to grow in the following years. However, this growth varies from country to region, and Balkan is on a good path. Renewable energy, especially solar energy, is at the centre of the transition to less carbon-intensive energy. The increasing demand for electricity, especially in developing countries, is also expected to contribute to the growth of photovoltaics.

EP: For years, you have been cooperating with the world’s most famous manufacturers and Slovenian companies. Can you tell us more about that?

Riccardo Frisinghelli: As a specialized distributor of photovoltaic components, we are at the center of the supply chain. We are very close to the most reliable and largest manufacturers in the world, both for photovoltaic panels and inverters, both for storage systems and charging stations and mounting systems, but our secret and commitment is to be even closer to the needs of installers because, in the end, the real decision-maker in this field is the installer. The installer has the trust of the end customer, who decides what to install, when to install, and at what price. Over the years, we have become a true and proper supplier partner for all the companies that are now our suppliers and customers. Whether you are a large energy operator or an installer focusing on installing small systems in your city or the countryside, it doesn’t matter. At Energetik Energija d.o.o., you will always find someone who will take care of your needs and provide you with the best advice and products for your system. You will find people who are attentive to your needs and willing to give you your product when you need it at a competitive price and at the address you choose. Energetik Energija d.o.o. doesn’t just want to be a distributor, it wants to be your warehouse, the warehouse for installers so that the installer can only think about selling and installing systems when the time comes.

Interviewed by: Nevena Đukić

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN SERBIA

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (jplenio)
Photo-illustration: Pixabay (AJS1)

You’ve probably heard quite a few times already that we can’t really boast of having a careful attitude towards energy consumption because energy consumption in our country is several times higher than in the European Union countries. The Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy prescribes an energy management system as one of the ways to save energy.

Energy management system and its entities

The subjects of the energy management system are the Government, the Ministry, the obligors of the energy management system, energy managers and energy advisors.

Following the provisions of this law, it is the Government that, following the line Ministry’s proposal, enacts regulations in the field of energy and rational use of energy. At the same time, system obligors execute them to facilitate the rational use of energy with the least possible costs. Obligors of the energy management system are companies and public enterprises whose main activity is production, retail/wholesale or service, provided they have annual energy consumption greater than the amount prescribed by the Government. In addition to them, local self-governments, and municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants, as well as state administration bodies and other bodies and organizations founded by the Republic of Serbia, then bodies and organizations of autonomous provinces and organizations for mandatory social insurance, are also liable.

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The energy management system obligors have to monitor and analyze all aspects of their energy consumption and keep records of it. They must establish energy efficiency goals for their operations and submit an Annual Report on their results to the Ministry. Furthermore, they must appoint an energy manager who reports to the Ministry.

An energy manager is a person who has an energy manager’s license issued under this law and who is appointed by the system obligor. Based on the Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy, the Rulebook on the appointment of energy managers was approved in December 2022.

The term energy manager is relatively rare in Serbia, so the Rulebook enables a clearer understanding of its meaning.

The Rulebook prescribes the necessary conditions for the appointment of energy managers, depending on the type of system obligor and the type of license of the energy manager.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (American Public Power Association)

Speaking of companies, one manager is appointed for each location, and their license depends on the type of their principal activity. Accordingly, an energy manager license may be required for the industrial or construction energy segment.

When it comes to municipalities, the number of energy managers depends on the population in that municipality and whether a city is comprised of municipalities or not. The number of managers is specifically prescribed for the Belgrade area, and the energy manager must have a public sector energy license in all these cases.

The third type of obligor, which includes authorities and organizations, has to appoint at least one energy manager each. The number may increase depending on whether they submit an annual report on reaching their energy-saving targets for more than 100 buildings or 100,000m². These managers must hold a public sector energy license or a construction energy license.

The energy manager collects and analyzes data on the method of energy use by the system obligor and participates in drafting the energy efficiency plan and programme. Also, the energy manager proposes energy efficiency measures, participates in their implementation and undertakes other activities necessary to achieve energy efficiency. Finally, the manager prepares the Annual Report on the achieved results.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

It’s time for governments and industry to act on energy efficiency

Photo-Ilustration: Pixabay (ColiN00B)
Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Amid a global energy crisis, policy makers, industry executives and consumers are all talking about how to bring down the cost of energy and reinforce security of supply. Often that conversation focuses on energy source we should use.

Discussions on energy supply tend to dominate the headlines. Yet, there’s one energy source, the “first fuel” as it’s known, that rarely gets the airtime it deserves – energy efficiency. The last year has taught us all how important smarter use of energy is to our security of supply and economic resilience.

Energy efficiency is equally vital to climate action and clean energy transitions around the world. Few technologies can claim to save energy, save money, and save the planet all in one go – while creating jobs in the process. The energy efficiency industry employs tens of millions of people around the world, and there’s more to come. 

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There’s never been as much interest in energy efficiency as there is today. That’s why next week IEA are hosting the most significant high-level conference on this subject ever: the IEA’s 8th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency. From 6-8 June, 600 people from more than 80 countries, including over 30 ministers and 50 CEOs, will gather in the historic setting of Versailles to discuss how to accelerate energy efficiency. The event is co-hosted by France’s Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher and Executive Director of IEA Fatih Birol, and is being organised in partnership with Schneider Electric. Across three days of high-level discussions, a wide range of topics will be on the agenda including finance, innovation, digitalisation and consumer engagement. 

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Policy will have a critical role to play in whether the world delivers on energy efficiency in the short, medium and long term. Just in the past year or so, we have seen many new policies announced. The RePowerEU plan in Europe, the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States and Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) initiative are just a few examples, while various emerging and developing economies – including India, Chile and South Africa – have enacted progressive measures to stimulate the energy efficiency agenda. Countries around the world are demonstrating a commitment to efficiency whether that’s through smart meters, high-quality appliances, well-insulated buildings or supporting industrial consumers and businesses to optimise their operations. But no country has implemented them all, and there is no silver bullet to deliver the energy savings needed to help put the world on course for net zero emissions while limiting global warming to the 1.5 °C target.  

In 2022, global investments in energy efficiency – such as building renovations, public transport and electric car infrastructure – reached USD 560 billion, an increase of 16 precent on 2021, according to the IEA’s latest energy efficiency market report. But overall efficiency investment in 2023 is expected to be largely flat, hampered by the global energy crisis and higher costs in the building sector among a number of other factors. At our conference, the IEA will be urging greater ambition and the need to prioritise energy efficiency implementation without delay.

Source: IEA

 

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Foto-ilustracija: Pexels
Foto: Unsplash (Lea Kobal)

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5, which triggers conversations at the global level about the need to preserve the health of our planet Earth. Recognition of this day was initiated by The United Nations, and it is celebrated as such in over 140 countries.

It was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 after the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, and since 1974 it has been celebrated with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues, as well as encouraging political actions on this topic.

The global commemoration is anchored each year around a unique theme, which focuses on a particular concern for the environment – ​​for example, in 2021 the theme was “Ecosystem Restoration”. A certain country is the host every year, and it takes a leading role in organizing the event. This year it is Côte d’Ivoire, and the main topic on June 5, 2023 is “Solutions to plastic pollution”. 

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On the occasion of this day, the “Fair of Green Ideas, Projects and Innovations” is being held in Serbia. The best projects for the green transformation of the Serbian economy and society will be presented at the “Cvijeta Zuzorić” Art Pavilion at Kalemegdan. Also, three panel discussions related to the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Serbia will be held as part of this fair.

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The environment includes everything – from tiny microorganisms to tall mountains, from the great oceans to the vast deserts, from the canopy of tropical rain forests to the polar ice caps. The environment is the sum of our planet’s ecosystems, which provide resources for every form of life, influencing the global climate and enabling the overall survival of the Earth.

However, in the face of rapid technological progress and increasing human activities, the environment is threatened, and it is not surprising that every year a global conversation must be held on the topics of environmental challenges. Degradation of ecosystems, extinction of species, climate change, pollution, deforestation and other environmental problems are creating more and more serious consequences that leave their mark more and more quickly. This represents a significant challenge for the common future of humanity, making environmental protection a priority.

A wide range of activities and strategies is inevitable to make this day in the calendar meaningful. Reducing carbon emissions, controlling pollution, preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of resources, driving electric cars, bicycles, scooters, heating systems based on renewable energy, recycling, better waste management, solar energy, hydro energy, wind energy are all part of the solution. By protecting our environment, we will not only ensure the survival of countless species, but also our own survival as a species.

Milica Vučković

ROAD TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY THAT MUST BE TAKEN

Foto-ilustracija: Unsplash (Sergiu Valena)
Photo: courtesy of Aleksandar Macura

It seems that we have never had as many doubts about energy supply as we have this winter. Worrying about whether our homes will be warm during cold days opened up the topic of energy saving, which prompted us to think about how energy efficient our homes are and how important that is in times of crisis.

We spoke with Aleksandar Macura, co-founder and programme director of the RES Foundation, about the ongoing energy issues, including energy transition and energy poverty.

EP: Energy efficiency, it seems, is on everybody’s lips, but how much do we really know about it?

Aleksandar Macura:  Recently, there has been an increase in awareness of the importance of energy efficiency. A certain increase in knowledge accompanies this, but the room for improvement is still ample for both professional and ordinary people. As energy efficiency and its importance are both complex and multidisciplinary, education requires time and engagement from professionals, media, civil society organizations and others. The role of professionals is the most important, and their ethics is crucial. Every concrete investment in energy efficiency in the public and private sectors are, at the same time, educational activity. It is important to significantly reduce the number of professional violations in the creation and implementation of these measures.

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EP: How important is it to save energy and use it most efficiently?

Aleksandar Macura: Serbia doesn’t have above-average natural resources that facilitate the supply of energy at low prices and the economy’s competitiveness. At the same time, the population’s living standard cannot be developed based on low energy prices in the long term. Our energy mix is also relatively “dirty” because of the resources we use and how we use them. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is, in my opinion, a key development direction for our country. In Serbia, energy efficiency is not observed appropriately, although some progress is visible.

EP: Like all of Europe, Serbia feels the consequences of the energy crisis. Who was most affected by this energy crisis?

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Aleksandar Macura: The mismanaged sector, burdened with various deficiencies in the way it is organized, has received a strong external blow. Society, quite expectedly, was unprepared to deal with it. Thanks to various factors, there have been no major consequences for the security of supply so far. The prices of energy and energy products for businesses have increased significantly, and those who consume energy most inefficiently are the most affected.

Taxpayers are also taking a big hit because, according to established practice, the cost of the crisis was passed on to them. Even before the crisis, the operations of parts of the energy sector were paid for by taxpayers. This has been especially true recently for the gas sector, where costs are almost regularly socialized.

EP: Serbia defined the concept of energy poverty, but who are the most vulnerable population segments in our country today?

Aleksandar Macura: The definition establishes a framework for creating and implementing policies to reduce energy poverty. However, the very definition of energy poverty does not help us reach the specific people with a problem. To do this, it is necessary to collaborate with social welfare institutions. This has already been accomplished in some local governments. On the other hand, for years, Serbia has had a mechanism in place, thanks to which several tens of thousands of households received help by having part of their electricity bills paid. Amendments to the Regulation on energy-vulnerable customers have created prerequisites for more people to be on the receiving end of this help. Certainly, this assistance does not permanently improve the position of households since it does not affect energy efficiency in how energy is consumed in those homes.

The need to help hundreds of thousands of households that use firewood for heating, which has become significantly more expensive and to improve the efficiency of its use by giving away more efficient heating devices is still completely unfilled.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN SERBIA

Photo: Novaston

The construction industry in Serbia is at the beginning of a transformation that should enable, through the application of innovative and sustainability standards, to reach European and world trends in this branch of the economy. With a reliable partner, reaching long-term and sustainable solutions is certainly easier. Jelena Jolović, manager of the Novaston platform, reveals to us what kind of innovations they bring to the domestic market.

EP: Novaston is a leader when it comes to raising sustainability standards. What sets you apart from the competition, and what do you offer to your clients?

Jelena Jolović: Four different sectors operate within the Novaston platform, which has been successfully operating for 10 years on the domestic and regional market. They cover a wide range of services: from project design and development, property management, valuation, and mediation in the sale and letting of real estate to marketing. This is exactly what sets us apart in the market – within our company and in agreement with the client, we create a custom-made approach to work that can be unique in our market.

We approach each client individually, and with all previous experiences, we jointly create a model that best suits the needs and situation in the market. When it comes to applying sustainability standards, we can say from experience that the market is becoming aware of the importance of such projects in the community. When the investors are companies from the European or American market, they have the initiative, and the facilities are designed and executed according to the latest standards.

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EP: What are the biggest challenges in the construction industry that you have encountered in your work, and how do you overcome them?

Photo: Novaston

Jelena Jolović: There are always two main areas of challenge: budget and time frame. Implementation of sustainability standards is easiest in the design process. At that moment, when the result is not so tangible, the biggest challenge is to convince the client to push the boundaries and set new standards in terms of financial profitability.

The process is more demanding if the client does not come from an environment where energy efficiency is a priority. Still, that requirement was imposed by the user of the facility, i.e. the tenant. However, from experience, we see that in the end, the client sees all the benefits that energy efficiency brings to him in the later use of the facility.

Sometimes it is not possible to implement all the measures required by the certification body due to the underdeveloped market in Serbia, so we have to find innovative solutions to achieve points while staying within the limits of domestic production. That is why we constantly emphasize the importance of the state’s participation through incentives for investors, but also other types of support, such as the opening of waste sorting and recycling facilities.

EP: What can you tell us about the LEED Gold certificate, and which buildings in Serbia have it or will soon receive it?

Jelena Jolović: The LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certificate was established in 1994 on the American market, and a decade later, we already had the first certified facilities in Serbia. LEED certification is important for investors who show responsibility in business and set an excellent example in the construction industry. A facility designed and constructed according to LEED Gold or Premium standards has reduced electricity and water consumption, lowered CO2 emissions by 10 to 30 per cent, reduced operating costs and increased the value of the facility. The LEED certificate is also extremely important for the end users of such facilities. They are healthier and happier, have better working conditions, more natural light and greenery, but also the feeling that they contribute to the betterment of society. One of the projects we are currently working on with Schneider Electric and investor Aleksandar Gradnja is in the process of obtaining the LEED Gold certificate. It is about the reconstruction of the industrial production hall of the Novkabel complex in Novi Sad, which will have 17,000 m2 upon completion.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

EASIER TO BUY A FRUGAL DEVICE THANKS TO NEW LABELS

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The rational use of energy was not a topic that energy experts have been dealing with until recently. However, rational use of energy seemed to grab the attention of the general public only after energy efficiency became a requirement for the safe life of every individual.

A more serious approach to this resource and its use was prescribed by the Law on Energy and Rational Use of Energy in 2021. The law regulates the requirements and methods of efficient use of energy and energy sources, energy efficiency measures, energy labelling and requirements regarding eco-design, as well as other issues of importance for the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons in connection with the efficient use of energy.

This law paved the way for launching projects and campaigns at various levels, from the Ministry to local self-governments and civil associations, intending to raise awareness of energy efficiency.

In terms of improving energy efficiency, households, especially residential communities pose the biggest challenge in Serbia. With that in mind, we should highlight the campaign launched this year by the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia and the American Agency for International Development (USAID), titled “Save and don’t waste energy!” The campaign aims to inform citizens about practical tips, following which they can reduce their daily energy consumption.

One of the tips refers to purchasing home appliances based on their energy class. Choosing the right device can reduce electricity consumption by about 50 per cent. In March 2021, the European Union began implementing a revised energy labelling system to facilitate and ensure that people choose a good device.

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What actually changed with the new labelling?

The problem with the old labels was that most of the products on the market were marked as the A+++, A++ or A+ class, while a smaller number fell under the B, C, D, E, F and G category. People who did not have enough knowledge about labels were convinced that by purchasing a device that belongs to one of the A classes, they were choosing an energy-efficient appliance. However, with the introduction of new designations, a large number of devices that previously belonged to one of the A classes were moved to E, F or G classes.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

For potential buyers, even those who do not have enough information about the labelling, the new classification has made it more visually understandable which device they should choose so as not to make the wrong choice. According to the new labels, the devices that belong to class A save twice as much electricity and emit significantly less carbon dioxide than class G devices.

Apart from the energy class label, the new labels on devices also contain a QR code that people can use to get more information about the product and its price-efficiency ratio. All information is obtained from the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL).

In addition to the energy efficiency class and QR code, the label also provides insight into other data that differ depending on the type of device. If we take a dishwasher, for example, we can find out how much electricity is consumed using the eco-programme for 100 cycles, then the amount of water consumed per cycle of the eco-programme, or the noise level in decibels and noise level class, as well as the duration of the eco-programme and other.

Households have the largest share in the total energy consumption in the Republic of Serbia, which is about four times higher than in the European Union countries. According to data from the Ministry of Mining and Energy, only about 13 per cent of people in Serbia opt for a product based on its energy class, compared to 80 per cent of the European Union residents.

Prepared by: Katarina Vuinac

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

Renewable power on course to shatter more records as countries around the world speed up deployment

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Oimheidi)
Photo-illustration: Pexels (Kelly)

Global additions of renewable power capacity are expected to jump by a third this year as growing policy momentum, higher fossil fuel prices and energy security concerns drive strong deployment of solar PV and wind power, according to the latest update from the International Energy Agency.

The growth is set to continue next year with the world’s total renewable electricity capacity rising to 4 500 gigawatts (GW), equal to the total power output of China and the United States combined, says the IEA’s new Renewable Energy Market Update.

Global renewable capacity additions are set to soar by 107 gigawatts (GW), the largest absolute increase ever, to more than 440 GW in 2023. The dynamic expansion is taking place across the world’s major markets. Renewables are at the forefront of Europe’s response to the energy crisis, accelerating their growth there. New policy measures are also helping drive significant increases in the United States and India over the next two years. China, meanwhile, is consolidating its leading position and is set to account for almost 55 percent of global additions of renewable power capacity in both 2023 and 2024.

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“Solar and wind are leading the rapid expansion of the new global energy economy. This year, the world is set to add a record-breaking amount of renewables to electricity systems – more than the total power capacity of Germany and Spain combined,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “The global energy crisis has shown renewables are critical for making energy supplies not just cleaner but also more secure and affordable – and governments are responding with efforts to deploy them faster. But achieving stronger growth means addressing some key challenges. Policies need to adapt to changing market conditions, and we need to upgrade and expand power grids to ensure we can take full advantage of solar and wind’s huge potential.”

Solar PV additions will account for two-thirds of this year’s increase in renewable power capacity and are expected to keep growing in 2024, according to the new report. The expansion of large-scale solar PV plants is being accompanied by the growth of smaller systems. Higher electricity prices are stimulating faster growth of rooftop solar PV, which is empowering consumers to slash their energy bills.

At the same time, manufacturing capacity for all solar PV production segments is expected to more than double to 1 000 GW by 2024, led by China and increasing supply diversification in the United States, India and Europe. Based on those trends, the world will have enough solar PV manufacturing capacity in 2030 to comfortably meet the level of annual demand envisaged in the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario.

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Pexels)

Wind power additions are forecast to rebound sharply in 2023 growing by almost 70 percent year-on-year after a difficult couple of years in which growth was slugging. The faster growth is mainly due to the completion of projects that had been delayed by Covid-19 restrictions in China and by supply chain issues in Europe and the United States. However, further growth in 2024 will depend on whether governments can provide greater policy support to address challenges in terms of permitting and auction design. In contrast to solar PV, wind turbine supply chains are not growing fast enough to match accelerating demand over the medium-term. This is mainly due to rising commodity prices and supply chain challenges, which are reducing the profitability of manufacturers.

The forecast for renewable capacity additions in Europe has been revised upwards by 40 percent from before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led many countries to boost solar and wind uptake to reduce their reliance on Russian natural gas. The growth is driven by high electricity prices that have made small-scale rooftop solar PV systems more financially attractive and by increased policy support in key European markets, especially in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

Newly installed solar PV and wind capacity is estimated to have saved EU electricity consumers EUR 100 billion during 2021-2023 by displacing more expensive fossil fuel generation. Wholesale electricity prices in Europe would have been eight percent higher in 2022 without the additional renewable capacity, according to the new IEA report.

While the competitiveness of wind and solar PV has improved since last year, government policies need to adapt to changing market conditions, particularly for renewable energy auctions, which were undersubscribed by a record 16 percent in 2022. Moreover, policies need to focus on timely planning and investment in grids in order to securely and cost-effectively integrate high shares of variable renewables in power systems. Multiple countries in Europe including Spain, Germany and Ireland will see wind and solar PV’s combined share of their overall annual electricity generation rise above 40 percent by 2024.

Source: IEA

BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY OF MT-KOMEX

Photo: MT-KOMEX
Photo: MT-KOMEX

Thirty years after the company’s founding, a team of engineers and installers work on solar power plant construction projects in the former welding workshop, whose original activity is still evidenced by some exhibits and awards on the wall. They say that they readily welcomed the market boom, which is perhaps not particularly surprising if we consider that this company was a pioneer in the construction of solar power plants, which managed to set standards for the quality of equipment, service, and maintenance. Although it is clear that the field of work has changed significantly over the past decades, we wanted to find out what the development path was like and how they persevered on it. In mid-January, right at their 30th business anniversary, we spoke with Miloš Kostić, the director and owner of MT-KOMEX.

EP: With what idea was the company MT-KOMEX founded?

Miloš Kostić: My father founded MT-KOMEX on January 15, 1993, and our main activity was welding. During high school, I worked in a workshop, which directed me to enroll in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where I decided to major in process engineering. While studying, I spent every free moment in the workshop, learned from my father and other employees, and became a welding technologist. I got my first idea for business development in 2003 when I decided to prepare a small workshop service for welding tools to provide services to clients.

I received the first award in 2005 at the Welding Fair, which was held as part of the Energy Fair, as a special recognition for improving welding in Serbia. I continued to improve all segments in this business, and until 2009, I was engaged in welding when the world economic crisis began, which also affected us. That’s when I came up with the idea to transfer part of the people from welding and locksmithing to work on small hydropower plants. These jobs opened up new horizons, and I realized that the company should be redirected towards renewable energy sources. I founded the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development in 2010 because I saw that very little is known about these topics and that this should be offered to the market.

IN FOCUS:

EP: It’s a long way from welding to the first solar power plant you built in 2013. How do you feel about that development today?

Photo: MT-KOMEX

Miloš Kostić: Working in the sector of renewable energy sources gave me insight into a completely unexplored and unknown area. I came up with the idea of becoming the first producer of green energy in Serbia, and that’s how the company Solaris Energy was born. Together with my partners, I started the construction of the first privately owned solar power plant in Serbia, which is located in the territory of the municipality of Kladovo. We started developing the project in 2011 in August, and at that moment, the municipality of Kladovo had a lot of understanding for us. The local self-government supported us, so they accelerated the procedures. We were the first to apply for an energy permit and the status of a privileged electricity producer. We also submitted a request for a feed-in tariff, and ProCredit Bank accompanied us in this endeavor and facilitated our capital investments.

Solar power plant Solaris has been successfully operating for nine years, we produce green energy, and our project plans have been realized. However, we wanted to go a step further, so we made Solaris the first agrosolar power plant, which means we have combined agriculture and electricity production. We did this by letting a herd of sheep graze the grass around the solar plant. The sheep enjoy the shade, good grazing is provided, and plot maintenance is no longer necessary.

EP: What is the most important thing you learned on this project?

Miloš Kostić: The development of the Solaris power plant project showed me how little was known about this in Serbia. At that time, there was no trained staff to handle these jobs. That’s exactly what gave me the idea to gather a team of engineers and provide them with training, and then we all progressed together because we trained together. Today, we have a team working on serious and largescale solar power projects. Considering all of this, it’s no surprise that we’ve readily welcomed this solar boom in our market, and I can safely say that we’re pioneers in this field. We set what the market should look like, and we set the standards when it comes to the quality of services, equipment, and maintenance.

I would like to point out one of our first jobs, the goal of which was to reduce the emission of harmful gases from wells, which we did for NIS Gazprom. We purified that gas and used it to generate electricity. Then we worked for NIS on another, for us, the most significant project. It is a wind farm with a capacity of 66 megawatts. At the same time, we worked on projects for industry and then, as now, we tried our best to inform people about the advantages of solar power plants. We gave them clear information and explained why the solar power plant is one of the energy efficiency measures without prejudice to the introduction of other measures.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY

TODAY, PHOTOVOLTAICS IS CHANGING THE WORLD TO A GREAT EXTENT!

Photo: Energetik energija
To get your 2023 STORAGE GUIDE, simply subscribe to our newsletter through QR code. In field MESSAGE just write 2023 STORAGE GUIDE and you will gett soon your copy on email

The world we live in is very different from the one we lived in a few decades ago. Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists, we now have technologies, devices, and gadgets that make our everyday lives much easier. One of the most significant contributions of scientists that is currently impacting us is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through photovoltaics.

The solar industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and it is estimated that it will continue to develop in the future.

Energetik energija d.o.o. is built on twenty years of experience and passion in the field of photovoltaics. Through partnerships with the most important manufacturers of photovoltaic equipment, they can offer customers more than just a product.

“What sets us apart is not only our range of products and prices; anyone can do that. We are there for our clients when they need us the most, providing full support and offering different solutions when they need them. We serve as their warehouse when needed, understanding and meeting their specific needs. That’s why at Energetik energija, we don’t just focus on the product range; we develop tools that are essential in the rapidly changing scenario of photovoltaics and provide knowledge that can make life easier for our customers”.

Energy storage is becoming a key factor in renewable energy as it allows energy produced during the day to be stored at night or during periods of low sunlight. This technology has the potential to increase the reliability and stability of solar energy sources significantly and represents a crucial step in achieving a sustainable energy future.

Photo: QR Energetik.si

In addition to webinars, educational meetings, and training, another important offering we have developed for our customers this year is the 2023 STORAGE GUIDE. It is a comprehensive document, serving as a tool and an e-book (often considered the favorite reading material of every installer, planner, company, etc.) that greatly facilitates planning and finding solutions for various projects in the short term.

As the development of photovoltaics in the Balkans is rapidly growing and the need for energy storage is an essential part of solar power plants, our 2023 STORAGE GUIDE enables every contractor, regardless of size, to present the best solution to their clients in the shortest possible time.

The 2023 STORAGE GUIDE has been translated into Serbian and is exclusively available to our subscribers. To access the manual, you simply need to sign up for our e-newsletter, and you will soon receive a link to download the file.

Source: Energetik energija

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