Samsung C&T and ABB enter agreement to expand smart building capabilities

13.11.2023

To improve the livability and energy efficiency of large residential, commercial and multi-dwelling residential buildings, ABB Smart Buildings and Samsung C&T Corporation Engineering & Construction Group (‘Samsung C&T’) today entered a new global agreement to jointly deliver integrated, holistic building automation, reliable energy distribution, and energy management solutions. This follows a separate global agreement signed with Samsung Electronics in April 2022 to drive holistic residential smart building technology through the integration of ABB-free@home® and Samsung SmartThings.

The deal signals an intention to integrate holistic building solutions, such as Samsung C&T’s Homeniq smart home platform, the ABB-free@home® system and the ABB i-bus® KNX that can significantly widen potential home and building services under one property management tool. Able to choose between the Homeniq app, the ABB-free@home® app and ABB wall panels, this will allow building residents to control all Samsung C&T and ABB smart home devices from a single user interface. Intended to meet the increasing customer demand for integrated, easy-to-use, and flexible products and solutions, the partnership is a further milestone in enabling greater energy management, lower energy costs and improved quality of life.

The new ability to manage and monitor all energy grid systems within properties is also expected to lower connection charges by reducing power peaks and accelerate return on investment from photovoltaic (PV) equipment.

Welcoming the new partnership, Lucy Han, Head of Global Product Group Building and Home Automation Solutions at ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division, said, “This exciting new agreement with Samsung C&T is another important step forward in expanding our portfolio of seamless and comprehensive smart building technology and services and reflects our ongoing commitment to collaborating with partners to address global energy efficiency challenges.

“Our commitment to open technologies and industry interoperability standards is ongoing and today’s announcement extends our portfolio for commercial and large residential developments to the property management level.”

Hyejung Helen Cho, Head of Life Solution Department at Samsung C&T adds, “Construction companies, property developers and operators will also benefit from the convenience of a combined, one-stop-shop offering of Samsung C&T’s devices and ABB’s Smart Home control devices. The scope of the Samsung C&T platform demonstrates ongoing opportunities for developers to further upgrade the level of technology over time.”

Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of energy consumption and for 30 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but fast evolving technologies promise to deliver significant reductions to these levels. The new agreement with Samsung C&T will lead to further combined innovation initiatives, with a partnership on a newly enhanced property management platform a focus. Following an initial proof of concept developed earlier this year in Korea, further joint pilot projects are currently being identified in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Source: ABB

RENEWABLE SOURCES KEY TO ENERGY SECURITY

12.11.2023

Thessaly_PlastiraLake_002_photo-Y-Skoulas — Photo: Thessaly, Plastira lake ©GNTO/Y. Skoulas

Warm sea, pleasant climate and authentic architecture – this is perhaps the shortest description of one of the most popular tourist destinations on the European continent and the largest country on the Balkan Peninsula. However, apart from being a favorite summer destination, Greece is attracting more and more attention due to the development of a green economy in the demanding conditions that nature has imposed on the country. The Greek government plans to significantly increase its green energy capacities so that renewable energy sources (RES) will make up at least 60 per cent of the energy mix by 2030.

The Greek Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Maria Levanti, says that in 2021, Greece drafted and published the National Energy and Climate Plan (ESEK) for the period up to 2030, which sets goals and defines measures related to the national environmental protection policy. In this context, a number of measures have already been implemented in terms of energy modernization of buildings, replacement of fuel for heating units and replacement of heating and cooling devices. At the same time, in 2020, policies and measures for delignitization and environmental restoration were drafted and implemented in areas with lignite production, which have been temporarily postponed due to the recent energy crisis.

Greece is also working on expanding its renewable energy facilities and applying measures that contribute to environmental protection to boost both the Greek and regional economies.

IN FOCUS:

Q. Renewable energy sources (RES) have fully corresponded to the increase in global demand for electricity in the first half of 2022. How did you manage to get rid of fossil fuels and switch to clean energy to ensure that the country has enough energy?

A. The Investment Law stipulates incentives for the use of renewable energy sources. The National Energy Programme has set specific energy and climate goals to be achieved by 2030. Cumulatively, RES units, mainly PV, reached 6.5GW in the national power distribution grid in 2022 compared to 4GW in 2019, while the capacity is expected to exceed 8.7GW based on planned projects for 2023.

Photo: Peloponnese, Dimitsana ©GNTO/K. Kouzouni

Q. Greece aims to increase its green energy capacity significantly. How will you make that happen?

A. The National Energy and Climate Plan (ESEK), which covers the period from 2021 to 2030, has set the ultimate goal of RES covering 60 per cent of consumption. To achieve this, initiatives are already being implemented to simplify and expedite the issuance of permits, the optimal integration of RES into power grids, the operation of storage systems, and the promotion of electromobility. RES already contribute more than 50 per cent to the country’s energy structure.

Q. How will you reach the goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions in the near future?

A. The National Energy and Climate Plan’s overall goal is to transition to climate neutrality by 2050 in a sustainable, fair, and cost-effective manner. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which covers various sectors, such as clean energy, green construction, sustainable mobility, sustainable agriculture and others, Greece allocates 37.5 per cent of the Plan’s budget to climate goals. In recent years, harmful emissions of many elements found in air pollutants have been significantly reduced in Greece. According to the latest census data submitted by Greece to the European Commission, greenhouse gas emissions in the country were reduced by 28 per cent from 1990 to 2020. In 2019, Greece defined the implementation of special activities under the auspices of the National Air Pollution Control Programme (EPEAR), the improvement and modernization of air quality monitoring and the provision of timely submission of relevant reports, the reduction of nitrogen oxides and particles, also through the planning of fiscal and energy options and with the help of the European initiative Coal Regions in Transition as its priority goals, all to reduce the use of coal which households use for heating and limit harmful emissions of air pollutants.

Photo: Peloponnese, Mani, Vathia ©GNTO/EFili

Q. The Republic of Greece ranks 28th on the EPI list (Environmental Performance Index) out of 170 countries. How did you make progress in environmental preservation, and what have been the priorities along the way?

A. Environmental legislation in Greece follows international and European coordinates. It is worth noting that some legal regulations concerning environmental protection were passed very early. For instance, the legal definition of national parks has been institutionalized since the 1930s.

Regarding nature protection, the Greek network of protected areas within the EU borders, Natura 2000, is now considered complete. As for simplifying administrative structures and procedures for implementing environmental legislation, some recent steps in that direction included simplifying risk and environmental impact assessment procedures and the implementation of European directives on natural habitats and industrial gas emissions. Greece’s environmental investments amounted to 0.72 per cent of the country’s GDP in the period from 2014 to 2020, while from 2021 to 2027, it is estimated that they will exceed 1.12 per cent of GDP.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

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

Imports of green energy products more than doubled in 2022

11.11.2023

solar — Photo-illustration: Freepik (@Oleksandr Ryzhkov)

Clean energy is a fundamental part of the European Green Deal. In pursuit of this, green energy products such as wind turbines, liquid biofuels and solar panels are required. Utilising these energy products also reduces the energy import dependencies highlighted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the EU spent 28.4 billion euros on imports of green energy products (including wind turbines, solar panels and liquid biofuels) from extra-EU countries, more than double the amount in 2021 (13.3. billion euros).

Focusing on specific products, the EU imported 22.6 billion euros worth of solar panels in 2022, a 145 percent increase compared with 2021 (9.2 billion euros). Increases were also recorded for liquid biofuels with 2022 imports reaching 5.1 billion euros, up 49 percent on 2021 (3.4 billion euros). An increase was also recorded in imports of wind turbines, which rose 17 percent to 0.8 billion euros in 2022, from 0.6 billion euros (2021).

Compared with 2012, imports of all three green energy products have increased. Imports of solar panels are up 137 percent, imports of liquid biofuels are up 60 percent and imports of wind turbines are up 504 percent.

Dramatic fall in exports of wind turbines in 2022

The value of green energy products exported by the EU to extra-EU countries was significantly lower (3.7 billion euros) and was 27 percent lower than the corresponding 2021 figure (5.0 billion euros).

Exports of wind turbines were valued at 1.3 billion euros in 2022, which represented a significant decrease (-59 percent) on those in 2021 (3.2 billion euros). Solar panels totalled 0.8 billion euros in 2022, up 44 percent on 2021 (0.6 billion euros). Liquid biofuel exports numbered 1.6 billion euros, up 23 percent from 2021 (1.3 billion euros).

Exports of liquid biofuels only totalled 0.5 billion euros in 2012 and grew to 1.6 billion euros in 2022, representing a 235 percent increase on 2012 exports. Exports of solar panels have seen a more modest increase (25 percent), from 0.6 billion euros in 2012 to 0.8 billion euros in 2022. Wind turbine exports have recorded a -55 percent drop, from 2.9 billion euros in 2012 to 1.3 billion euros in 2022.

Source: Eurostat

Latin America to play an essential role in the global transition to a more secure and sustainable energy system

09.11.2023

photovoltaic-system-solarni-paneli — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

At a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty and accelerating energy transitions, an extraordinary endowment of energy and mineral resources, as well as a history of clean energy leadership, positions Latin America and the Caribbean to play an increasingly influential role in the global energy sector, according to a new IEA special report.

The Latin America Energy Outlook is the IEA’s first in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the region, covering the full range of fuels and energy technologies across all 33 countries. The report finds that Latin America and the Caribbean’s wealth of resources and experience developing them – from high-quality renewables to oil and gas to critical minerals – could make major contributions to global energy security and clean energy transitions with the right packages of policies, on top of powering the region’s own transition and generating major benefits for local economies after a decade of sluggish growth. The special report draws on substantial input from government officials, experts and stakeholders across Latin America and the Caribbean, building on decades of IEA work on energy and climate issues with the region.

Latin America and the Caribbean already has one of the cleanest electricity sectors in the world, offering bright prospects for future clean energy industries. Renewables, led by hydropower, generate 60 percent of the region’s electricity, twice the global average, while some of the world’s best wind and solar resources can be found in countries including Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina. Use of bioenergy is widespread across the region, and it is a major exporter of biofuels.

Meanwhile, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean hold about 15 percent of global oil and natural gas resources. And the region is highly significant for the production of minerals that are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – with around half of global reserves of lithium, and more than a third of copper and silver reserves. The region’s clean electricity supply lays the foundation for the sustainable mining and processing of these materials.

“Latin America and the Caribbean can play an outsize role in the new global energy economy. With incredible natural resources and a longstanding commitment to renewables, countries in the region already have a head start on secure and sustainable transitions to clean energy. Leaning into these transitions would ignite growth in local economies – and put the world’s energy system on a surer footing,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “Our report shows that supportive policy making and international cooperation are essential to ensure the region can take full advantage of its remarkable energy potential.”

The new Outlook finds a substantial gap in policy implementation. Sixteen of the 33 countries in the region have pledged to reach net zero emissions by mid-century or earlier, and most have presented more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) tied to the 2015 Paris Agreement. Yet under today’s policy settings, the region is projected to continue using fossil fuels to meet a large share of its energy needs, especially for road transport, while progress on clean energy transitions is set to remain limited.

By comparison, the report finds that if countries’ announced pledges are realised, Latin America and the Caribbean would see renewables meet all new energy demand this decade. This would allow oil exports to rise by nearly two million barrels per day by 2030, diversifying global supply and increasing revenues. Competitive renewable resources would also drive the production of low-cost and low-emissions hydrogen, which can help decarbonise heavy industry and freight transport domestically and internationally. Production of biofuels would rise, and long-term revenues from critical minerals would double to nearly USD 200 billion, exceeding those from fossil fuels.

The report identifies four key actions to reduce energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: ramp up the adoption of renewable energy, advance the electrification of industry and transport, drive energy efficiency to moderate demand growth, and boost access to clean cooking solutions. Notably, accelerating renewables accounts for 40 percent of the emissions gap between what is projected based on today’s policy settings versus a scenario in which announced pledges are achieved.

Investment in the region must also grow substantially, the report finds. To fulfil pledges, financing for clean energy projects needs to double by 2030 to USD 150 billion and rise fivefold by 2050. In this scenario, the ratio of investment in clean sources to unabated fossil fuels climbs from around 1:1 today to 4:1 in the 2030s. People-centred transitions must also focus on delivering universal access to modern energy at affordable prices, according to the report, with 17 million people in the region lacking access to electricity and 74 million without access to clean cooking supplies.

Beyond tackling CO2 emissions, major producers in the region can reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations by nearly 80 percent at low cost, and around 40 percent with no net costs, supporting the Global Methane Pledge that most countries have signed. Based on announced pledges, emissions from land use and agriculture, which account for half of economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions in the region today, are cut by the end of the decade and reach net zero. About 85 percent of forests in the region are in countries that are part of the Glasgow Pledge, which aims to stop deforestation by 2030.

The IEA’s work on energy and climate issues with partners in the region continues to deepen. The IEA family now includes five Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

“The special report is a milestone in our work with Latin American and Caribbean countries, and we look forward to further regional and bilateral collaboration inspired by its analysis, which lays out a clear pathway for countries to meet their energy objectives,” Dr Birol said. “The IEA stands ready to support governments across the region as they advance their clean energy transitions, building a more secure and fairer global energy system in the process.”

Source: IEA

Governments plan to produce double the fossil fuels in 2030 than the 1.5°C warming limit allows

08.11.2023

emisije , zagađenje — Photo-illustration: Pixabay (catazul)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Chris LeBoutillier)

A major new report published today finds that governments plan to produce  around  110 percent more  fossil fuels  in 2030  than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, and 69 percent more than would be consistent with 2°C. This comes despite  151 national governments having pledged to achieve net-zero emissions and the latest forecasts which suggest global coal, oil, and gas demand will peak this decade, even without new policies. When combined, government plans would lead to an increase in global coal production until 2030, and in global oil and gas production until at least 2050, creating an ever-widening fossil fuel production gap over time.

The report’s main findings include:

Given risks and uncertainties of carbon capture and storage and carbon dioxide removal, countries should aim for a near total phase-out of coal production and use by 2040, and a combined reduction in oil and gas production and use by three-quarters by 2050 from 2020 levels, at a minimum.

While 17 of the 20 countries featured have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions — and many have launched initiatives to cut emissions from fossil fuel production activities — none have committed to reduce coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C.

Governments with greater capacity to transition away from fossil fuels should aim for more ambitious reductions and help support the transition processes in countries with limited resources.

The 2023 Production Gap Report: “Phasing down or phasing up? Top fossil fuel producers plan even more extraction despite climate promises” is produced by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Climate Analytics, E3G, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It assesses governments’ planned and projected production of coal, oil, and gas against global levels consistent with the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal.

“Governments are literally doubling down on fossil fuel production; that spells double trouble for people and planet,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We cannot address climate catastrophe without tackling its root cause: fossil fuel dependence. COP28 must send a clear signal that the fossil fuel age is out of gas — that its end is inevitable. We need credible commitments to ramp up renewables, phase out fossil fuels, and boost energy efficiency, while ensuring a just, equitable transition.”

July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded, and most likely the hottest for the past 120,000 years, according to scientists. Across the globe, deadly heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms, and floods are costing lives and livelihoods, making clear that human-induced climate change is here. Global carbon dioxide emissions — almost 90 percent of which come from fossil fuels — rose to record highs in 2021–2022.

“Governments’ plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity’s future into question,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Powering economies with clean and efficient energy is the only way to end energy poverty and bring down emissions at the same time.”

“Starting at COP28, nations must unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas — to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet,” she added.

The 2023 Production Gap Report provides newly expanded country profiles for 20 major fossil-fuel-producing countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America. These profiles show that most of these governments continue to provide significant policy and financial support for fossil fuel production.

“We find that many governments are promoting fossil gas as an essential ‘transition’ fuel but with no apparent plans to transition away from it later,” says Ploy Achakulwisut, a lead author on the report and SEI scientist. “But science says we must start reducing global coal, oil, and gas production and use now — along with scaling up clean energy, reducing methane emissions from all sources, and other climate actions — to keep the 1.5°C goal alive.”

 Despite being the root cause of the climate crisis, fossil fuels have remained largely absent from international climate negotiations until recent years. At COP26 in late 2021, governments committed to accelerate efforts towards “the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”, though they did not agree to address the production of all fossil fuels.

“COP28 could be the pivotal moment where governments finally commit to the phase-out of all fossil fuels and acknowledge the role producers have to play in facilitating a managed and equitable transition,” says Michael Lazarus, a lead author on the report and SEI US Centre Director. “Governments with the greatest capacities to transition away from fossil fuel production bear the greatest responsibility to do so while providing finance and support to help other countries do the same.”

More than 80 researchers, from over 30 countries, contributed to the analysis and review, spanning numerous universities, think tanks and other research organizations.

Source: UNEP

ORIGINAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY SCENTS OF CITIES

08.11.2023

MiCrodia — Photo: courtesy of Karla Kuleš

Young, skilled and creative entrepreneur Karla from Zagreb started envisioning her idea two years ago – making scented candles that will exude the specific flora and cultural heritage of Croatian cities. These are not ordinary scented candles, as every detail is clearly thought out and they tell a special story with their fragrant notes and aesthetics. When Karla and her mother Dinka Kuleš devised a plan how to bring their vision of making candles that smell like the indigenous plants from Croatian cities to life, they realized that this fusion of scents, flowers and history actually creates a real souvenir of culture.

The work on making the candles is clearly divided – Dinka is in charge of production and Karla is in charge of logistics, finance, media and social networks. Although the Croatian coastline is widely known and associated with the wonderful local scents, it was less popular towns, so to speak, like Varaždin that this imaginative female duo also focused on. The Croatian brand miCrodia was launched late last year because a certain period was spent on researching the production technique, as well as the spectrum of fragrances specific to a certain place.

IN FOCUS:

A candle named Ragusa, their best-selling product, smells like the oranges grown in the city of Dubrovnik. This candle’s scent is based on beautiful gardens in the old part of the city, which is home to one of the first wild orange trees, standing in the Franciscan Monastery in the Old Town. It is an incredible 2,000 years old and has often been the topic of many poems. Since Zagreb is the city where Karla and her mother live, it is also one of their favourites. If you ever frequented the main train station in Zagreb in the spring, you must have noticed pink magnolias. Moreover, in addition to Zagreb and Dubrovnik, you can now smell the scents of Osijek, Varaždin, Rovinj, Pula, Rijeka, Otočac, Zadar and Split, and each candle label features the main historical symbol of the city, be it the Zagreb Cathedral or the Arena in Pula.

“Light music, the scents of Croatia and the sound of sizzling wax is all a person needs. Every day is a working day, sometimes we work for 12 hours if we have received a large order, but when you love what you are do, Mondays are not bad at all“, Karla says.

Eco-design and natural materials as green solutions

There is another message hidden behind the materials used in the realization of this extremely interesting idea. That is eco-ceramic or, as it is popularly called, jasmonite, from which candle containers are made. This is an environmentally friendly non-toxic material created by mixing gypsum and water-based acrylic resin and contains no chemical agents. This material has become quite popular with many world designers and artists when creating decorative items. Three years ago, when eco-ceramics was first presented in London, it was declared „the material of the year“ because of its incredible chameleon-like adaptability, i.e. its ability to replicate different textures and shapes, Karla explains to us. In this case, jasmonite is mixed with water to create a container that holds the scented candle.

The versatile material that Karla uses can become the future for many manufacturers. Apart from eco-ceramics, these candles have another special feature which is the cotton wick and soy wax which is used exclusively in the production. Cotton wicks are environmentally friendly and due to their structure, they can carry a flame for hours.

Prepared by: Milica Vučković

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Why AI and energy are the new power couple

06.11.2023

Power systems are becoming vastly more complex as demand for electricity grows and decarbonisation efforts ramp up. In the past, grids directed energy from centralised power stations. Now, power systems increasingly need to support multi-directional flows of electricity between distributed generators, the grid and users. The rising number of grid-connected devices, from electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to residential solar installations, makes flows less predictable. Meanwhile, links are deepening between the power system and the transportation, industry, building and industrial sectors. The result is a vastly greater need for information exchange – and more powerful tools to plan and operate power systems as they keep evolving.

This need arrives just as the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) applications are rapidly progressing. As machine learning models have become more advanced, the computational power required to develop them has doubled every five to six months since 2010. AI models can now reliably provide language or image recognition, transform audio sounds into analysable data, power chatbots and automate simple tasks. AI mimics aspects of human intelligence by analysing data and inputs – generating outputs more quickly and at greater volume than a human operator could. Some AI algorithms are even able to self-programme and modify their own code.

It is therefore unsurprising that the energy sector is taking early steps to harness the power of AI to boost efficiency and accelerate innovation. The technology is uniquely placed to support the simultaneous growth of smart grids and the massive quantities of data they generate. Smart meters produce and send several thousand times more data points to utilities than their analogue predecessors. New devices for monitoring grid power flows funnel more than an order of magnitude more data to operators than the technologies they are replacing. And the global fleet of wind turbines is estimated to produce more than 400 billion data points per year.

This volume is a key reason energy firms see AI as an increasingly critical resource. A recent estimate suggests that AI already serves more than 50 different uses in the energy system, and that the market for the technology in the sector could be worth up to USD 13 billion.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (arteum-ro)

One of the most common uses for AI by the energy sector has been to improve predictions of supply and demand. Developing a greater understanding of both when renewable power is available and when it’s needed is crucial for next-generation power systems. Yet this can be complicated for renewable technologies, since the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow.

That’s where machine learning can play a role. It can help match variable supply with rising and falling demand – maximising the financial value of renewable energy and allowing it to be integrated more easily into the grid.

Wind power output, for example, can be forecast using weather models and information on the location of turbines. However, deviations in wind flow can lead to output levels that are higher or lower than expected, pushing up operational costs. To address this, Google and its AI subsidiary DeepMind developed a neural network in 2019 to increase the accuracy of forecasts for its 700 MW renewable fleet. Based on historical data, the network developed a model to predict future output up to 36 hours in advance with much greater accuracy than was previously possible.

This greater visibility allows Google to sell its power in advance, rather than in real time. The company has stated that this, along with other AI-facilitated efficiencies, has increased the financial value of its wind power by 20 percent. Higher prices also improve the business case for wind power and can drive further investment in renewables. Notably, Google’s proprietary software is now being piloted by a major energy company.

Additionally, with a more accurate picture of peaks in output, companies like Google are able to shift the timing of peak consumption, such as during heavy computing loads, to coincide with them. Doing so avoids the need to buy additional power from the market. This capacity, if expanded more widely, could have a significant impact on the promotion of load shifting and peak shaving – especially if combined with better demand forecasts. For example, Swiss manufacturer ABB has developed an AI-enabled energy demand forecasting application that allows commercial building managers to avoid peak charges and benefit from time-of-use tariffs.

Eead the full text here

Source: IEA

DEVELOPING ELECTROMOBILITY AS VOLVO’S PRIORITY

05.11.2023

Modern society is completely reliant on transport modes that cover long distances in a short time. Considering that traffic represents one of the most important sources of environmental pollution, it is not surprising that around 60 per cent of all polluting substances in the air come from exhaust gases. Electrification of traffic can significantly reduce emissions of harmful gases, which will greatly affect the quality of the air we breathe.

The Swedish manufacturer of motor vehicles, Volvo, pays special attention to the reduction of harmful gas emissions, as well as saving and conserving energy and reducing the impact on the environment and climate change. We spoke with Dragana Krstić, General Manager of Volvo Trucks Group for the Adriatic South region, about the novelties this company has in store and their operations in Serbia.

IN FOCUS:

How long has Volvo been operating in Serbia? What can you tell us about your work in the company?

In the spring of 1998, the Volvo Truck Corporation opened a branch in our country. The company grew year-on-year and expanded its offer and range of services, but the intimate, friendly relationship and care for each customer remained unchanged. With such an approach, we quickly became market leaders. Volvo also invested in the showroom and service network – it opened its own modern business, sales and service centre in Novi Banovci, while showrooms and service centres in Novi Sad, Čačak and Niš were adapted to specific needs.

I have been with Volvo since the launch of its business in Serbia. Over the years, I worked in various positions and had the opportunity to get to know in detail all segments of the company’s operations. I was appointed General Manager on January 1, 2017, and before that, I worked in the position of regional Financial Director in Volvo Trucks companies in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. In my career, I encounter many challenges, but with the help of my colleagues, we overcame all obstacles easily.

Volvo Trucks has presented its hydrogen-powered electric trucks. What novelties do you have in store for us and when can we expect these vehicles to hit the road?

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks, which emit only water vapour, will be an important part of Volvo Trucks’ zero-emission product portfolio. These zero-emission trucks use hydrogen to generate the truck’s own electricity and can be used for long trips, thus making them suitable for longer hauling tasks. These trucks are tested on public roads and to make it even more challenging, the tests were conducted above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden in extremely cold conditions. So far, all the tests have been going well.

Hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks will be particularly suitable for longer distances and when battery-only use is not an option – for instance, in rural areas without charging infrastructure. All required checks are followed by tests done with carriers and we expect these trucks to be available for road use in the second half of this decade.

What does Volvo Trucks offer to its customers in terms of emission-free transport?

For hauliers who want to provide emission-free transport, Volvo Trucks currently offers six different electric-battery models, as well as trucks that run on renewable fuels, such as biogas. We must act now to stop global warming. Regardless of the transport tasks or the places in the world where our customers do business, waiting is not an option. In a few years, our clients will be able to completely eliminate CO2 emissions from their trucks.

After the first quarter of 2023, we have sold almost 5,000 electric trucks in 40 countries. During the first quarter of 2023, a total of 600 16-tonne electric trucks were registered in Europe, more than four times compared to the same period in 2022. We also saw an increase in the number of new truck orders in the first quarter of 2023.

Interviewed by: Milica Radičević

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Sustainable business for reducing the environmental footprint

03.11.2023

The Alumil Company is a leader in the production of aluminium profiles, while using state-of-the-art technology and operating in line with the circular economy model, they fulfil their mission of sustainability. We spoke with Ivana Petronijević, an architectural engineer in Alumil, about the advantages of different products, creative processes, adaptability to living space, innovative production lines and investments in environmental protection.

Alumil has a comprehensive product range of different window and door systems. What are their most important features and what could you tell us about the functionality of these products?

Aluminum is an extremely formable material and ensures the production of very durable and at the same time minimally visible dimensions in the built-in position. Also, the geometry of our aluminium profiles ensures the installation of advanced thermal breaks, as well as glass units of different thicknesses, which promotes the high thermal performance of the positions as a whole. During the production process, starting from the selection of quality raw materials, through the expertise of our employees at the production facilities, we rely a lot on our research and development team who follow the latest architectural trends, as well as on the internal quality control of our products. We install tools that expedite system production and we are also actively cooperating with international institutes on the certification of our products. Today’s technology makes it possible to find solutions for large-dimension openings, as well as openings with atypical shapes, thus providing a solution to even the most demanding architectural projects.

IN FOCUS:

Koji proizvod biste posebno istakli, kako oni doprinose ugodnosti boravka u prostorijama?

As a company that has a very wide product portfolio of sliding systems for different types of buildings, we diverged all of our products into SUPREME, SMARTIA and COMFORT product lines. The SUPREME and SMARTIA categories consist of aluminium systems with thermal breaks, while the COMFORT segment consists of systems without thermal breaks. In terms of the SUPREME and SMARTIA product lines, I would like to highlight PHOS sliding systems, known for their minimalist design. The word ‘phos’ is Greek and means ‘light’. We chose it because it best describes these products which, thanks to the extremely minimal dimension of the visible aluminium, allow much more natural light into the space, as well as an uninterrupted view and panorama. PHOS systems provide maximum comfort and in addition to aesthetics, they have a high load capacity, which enables the glazing of large openings.

What kind of glass would be the best fit for these kinds of doors and windows?

The thickness, type and number of panes in the glass unit are calculated according to Uw calculations and following the regulations for the appropriate climate zone in the country. A wide selection of glass types is available in the market today, which makes it possible to achieve appropriate performance even with double-layered glass. It is especially important to keep in mind that the dimensions of sliding openings are usually more than 2.2m wide, very often with heights over three meters which means that the wings are quite heavy and need profiles that can stand such load, in addition to appropriate moving mechanisms.

When creating such door and window systems, how concerned were you with the views that such systems can provide so the users can fully enjoy the beauty of the environment that surrounds them?

The products from our product portfolio are designed so that they can respond to different needs of people. The possibility of manufacturing aluminium systems for windows and doors of different shapes and typologies creates great opportunities for users in terms of interior decoration, especially when choosing the colour of profiles and equipment. In our production facilities, we also have lines for powder-painting profiles, i.e. plasticizing, as well as an anodizing facility. The painting is done with certified powders and the paint is chosen by the designer or the user from the RAL map. This does not majorly affect the price of the final positions, which is a very important segment when deciding on aluminium doors and windows.

Are your products suitable for recycling and what is the best way to dispose of such waste when the time comes?

Our company understands the importance of sustainable development and we follow the research conducted on this topic in the rest of the world and Serbia. Nowadays, due to the energy crisis, we focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, so we strive to contribute to the reduction of the negative environmental footprint, starting from the production process through the creation of a new product. In line with our commitment to environmental protection, we have invested 4.6 million euros in establishing a state-of-the-art sorting and processing aluminium waste unit at our facilities in the Kilkis Industrial Zone. For instance, after dismantling old aluminium windows or parts, contractors transport and dispose of those parts, and then they are transported to our factory for recycling.

Alumil

EU food prices: olive oil up 75 percent since January 2021

02.11.2023

hrana_donacija — Foto-ilustracija: Social work photo created by freepik - www.freepik.com

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (ElasticComputeFarm)

After substantial increases in 2022, food prices in the EU continued to rise also in 2023. Data for the second and third quarters of this year show that the prices of some items registered a slower increase.

In September 2023, prices of eggs, butter and potatoes in the EU are higher than in January 2021 and 2022 but are not as high as some months prior, while the prices of olive oil have been consistently increasing.

In September 2023, the price of olive oil was 75 percent higher than in January 2021. In January 2022, prices were already 11 percent higher than the same month of the year before, and between September 2022 and September 2023, prices registered a sharp increase.

Potato prices were also on a staggering rise. Since January 2021, prices for potatoes increased by 53 percent in September 2023, following a peak in June 2023 (+60 percent).

As for the prices of eggs, in September 2023, they were 37 percent higher than in January 2021. Egg prices stabilized in the first 2 quarters of 2023 and showed some decrease in August and September this year.

Butter prices evolved in a similar manner. Prices for butter peaked in December 2022 (+44 percent compared with January 2021) and then slowly started to decline. In September, butter was 27 percent more expensive than in January 2021.

Source: Eurostat

A STORY INSPIRED BY THE LOVE AND CARE OF CHILDREN

01.11.2023

Alkaloid_corporate_2 — Photo: Alkaloid Skopje

The Alkaloid pharmaceutical company recently celebrated the 45th anniversary of one of its most recognizable brands – Becutan, a collection of skincare products for babies and children.

The story of Becutan is firmly rooted in love and care for children. In 1978, the Becutan brand became an indispensable part of childhood in this region and a synonym for quality. Thanks to constant investments and innovations carried out in Alkaloid’s state-of-the-art laboratories, Becutan has been and remains consistent in providing top-quality products. That’s why Becutan is used by our youngest and remains a skincare friend to all generations for decades to come.

Becutan and Alkaloid are not only symbols of tradition but also bearers of change, sustainable technologies and nature conservation through energy saving – both in the pharmaceutical industry and sustainable development.

IN FOCUS:

Alkaloid Skopje is a company that has been operational for over eight decades in the production of medication, cosmetic and chemical products and the processing of botanical raw materials. It is present in all markets of the former Yugoslavia and Switzerland, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the USA.

The constant growth of production implies constant investment in production processes and the education of existing and new personnel. There are many areas in which Alkaloid can boast to be a socially responsible company – from helping orphanages and helping sports to be involved in the dual education system.

The company also recorded significant results in saving energy and caring for a healthier environment in which we live. It has set long-term goals, the most important of which is to help the community where we live and do business. Other long-term goals are divided into several segments – identifying the source and establishing a carbon footprint measurement process, devising measures to reduce CO2 emissions, increasing renewable energy production by 12 per cent in the next 25 years, increasing recyclable waste by 10 per cent by 2025, analyzing sustainable PC packaging for CCB and PC Pharmaceuticals, identifying sources and establishing a water footprint measurement process for all of the company’s sites by the end of 2023.

The first results are already visible in daily production, especially in the main production plant in Skopje. So far, CO2 emissions have been reduced by 1,285 tonnes, new bicycle parking spaces have been built, encouraging employees to use bicycles more in their daily commute, and 5,000 m3 of water has been saved, i.e. 1.5 per cent used in total production.

A digital platform for professional communication has also been launched, which saves on the energy consumption of other materials, such as paper. These are all parts of the company’s ESG strategy.

Alkaloid Skopje

Read the story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE OIL INDUSTRY: REDUCTION OF RAW MATERIALS, WASTE AND EMISSIONS

30.10.2023

According to the official data posted on the website of the European Parliament, 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the European Union each year. More than a quarter of it includes municipal waste: everyday waste that is collected and treated by municipalities, mainly produced by households. To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets leading to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

What does the circular economy entail

In practice, this implies reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its useful life, thanks to recycling, the resources it contains are reused, thus creating added value. Reusing and recycling products is important to slow down the consumption of natural resources, reduce environmental damage, and preserve biodiversity. Creating more sustainable products reduces energy and resource consumption and thereby the total annual greenhouse gas emissions, increases competitiveness, encourages innovation and creates new jobs.

Economically and environmentally sustainable development model

In addition, switching to reusable products reduces the amount of waste. Packaging is an increasing problem; the average European person produces almost 180 kilogrammes of packaging waste annually. The circular economy is not a new topic in Serbia either. The contribution to this concept is best illustrated by the example of our largest oil company – NIS. Namely, NIS explains that the company, as a packaging filler and supplier that places packaging on the market, hired an operator responsible for the packaging waste management system that holds a license for performing this activity. All packaging waste that was picked up and collected in 2022 was re-used, recycled, or disposed of during the current year, in order to meet the national objectives set for 2022.

Thus, in 2022, 111 t of paper, 18 t of PET packaging, and 10 kg of cans were handed over for recycling in NIS, which saved 1,887 trees, 36,090 litres of fuel, 3,552,000 litres of water, and 574,340 kWh.

Another of the goals that the company strives for is the constant reduction of the share of freshwater in the total amount of water used in business processes. At the Pančevo Oil Refinery, for example, thanks to the recovery of condensate, water is re-circulated, which achieves the effect of reducing the intake of fresh water by about 20 percent.

An important fact is that, just during 2022, NIS contributed to a healthier environment in Serbia by investing in environmental projects in the amount of almost RSD 315 million. All relevant data on this topic were presented within the 13th verified Sustainable Development Report, published by NIS under the symbolic slogan “Our Sustainable Community”.

In focus:

Operating according to global standards

NIS is the industry leader in the field of sustainable production and recycling, and it introduces good practices in its business. At eight oil and gas fields in Serbia, the company has built small power plants, in which electricity and thermal energy are now produced from gas that was previously burned on a flare, and thereby, the emission of harmful gases is reduced. Through the cogeneration program, the thermal energy produced is used for the needs of the NIS facilities, while electricity surpluses are sold on the domestic market.

This oil company also applies a modern environmental method of drilling in oil fields by applying the principle of “dry locations”, which is also used by the world’s leading oil and service companies. The material obtained during drilling is recycled on the site by separating it into a part that is re-used for drilling and a part that is waste and that is disposed to a landfill where it is stored according to global standards.

In addition, NIS also built the Amine Plant for the natural gas purification near Elemir. The processing method in this plant completely prevents carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, thus reducing the “greenhouse” effect. The extracted CO2 is then injected into the Rusanda oil and gas field, to increase oil utilization, which is another contribution of this company to the circular business model.

Source: NIS

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