New trends and innovative technologies in one place

08.10.2023

burst-kUqqaRjJuw0-unsplash — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Burst)

The Siemens company is a symbol of innovation and technical expertise, in which numerous opportunities for learning and improvement are constantly opening up. In addition to being known for cutting-edge technological solutions, this company has many female engineers who are technology experts, which is a real refresh since the usual engineering team is mostly made up of men. At Siemens, they do not differentiate between women and men engineers or other profiles, but work and knowledge come first. Among the female engineers is Sunčica Cvetković, director of the smart network department of Siemens Serbia.

Statistics show that men when it comes to the engineering profession, make up the largest percentage. How much does Siemens, in your experience, empower women engineers?

Siemens is a company with many opportunities for learning and improvement, and if you have that personal urge to learn, then the possibilities are endless. Although my team consists mainly of men when it comes to gender equality, I work in a company where there is no distinction between women and men engineers or other profiles; they only value work and knowledge. In the younger generations, the trend is that there are in engineering work more men changing, which makes me happy.

Colleagues in my team are experts in their work, professional and dedicated. I see my role as supporting the further development of everyone in the group and motivating us to continue achieving success. Siemens always tries to be one step ahead in the market and, somehow, sets an example for other technology companies.

IN FOCUS:

How much will digitization improve everyone’s life?

Digitization definitely makes life easier. We are all users of various electronic services that save us time. The possibility of working from home as part of the digitalization process brings a new concept of life organization in general and buys both men and women some time in their daily activities. When it comes to smart grids that we deal with, they refer primarily to the power system. These are solutions for high-quality and reliable electricity supply – digitization in the energy sector. Siemens is a leader in innovation in this area. Our mission is to bring the latest technologies that are applied worldwide closer to our users, and together we create solutions for the needs of the local market.

In the wake of the global energy crisis, the need to stop climate needs comes to the fore. To what extent is it possible to find technological solutions for these problems?

We live in fast and unpredictable times, where we depend a lot on world circumstances, and advanced technologies are the answer to some of those changes. Innovation and digitization are truly key to completely redefining economies and economies around the world. A green, circular economy is not feasible without innovative solutions that will connect our real, physical world and the one we create in the digital domain. Siemens is one of the few technology leaders that combine those two worlds, offering a synergy of hardware and software solutions that provide users with faster and more flexible operational processes and smart solutions that offer better productivity or infrastructure with efficient energy use.

Interviewed by: Mirjana Vujadinović Tomevski

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

3 myths about zero waste explained

07.10.2023

antoine-giret-7_TSzqJms4w-unsplash — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Antoine GIRET)

Waste is becoming an increasingly pressing issue: for our environment, for our societies, and for human health. Moving towards a zero-waste future is not just a lofty goal but a necessity. And it can help us get closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption patterns.

The concept of zero waste represents a systemic shift that requires rethinking our consumption patterns and production methods to reduce pollution, conserve resources and minimize the amount of waste we generate.

While the zero-waste vision has garnered much attention, there are some common misconceptions. Let’s debunk three of these myths and gain a better understanding of how zero waste can work in practice.

Myth 1: Zero waste means producing absolutely no waste at all

One of the biggest misconceptions about zero waste is the belief that it means producing absolutely no waste. Zero waste is a long-term target on the journey we have to start today. While the ultimate goal is to minimize waste as much as possible, achieving zero waste in the strictest sense is incredibly challenging, if not impossible, in today’s societies.

Zero waste is about making conscious choices to reduce waste in every aspect of our lives. This involves designing out waste from the product inception stage, creating reuse and repair models, and safely recycling products that cannot be reused. While some might believe this transition to be inconvenient or costly, it can actually save money in the long run, by reducing the need for disposal services and limiting the costs linked to nature destruction and negative health impacts.

The focus should be to consistently reduce our waste footprint. Achieving zero waste is a continuous journey and a useful vision to aim for.

Myth 2: Zero waste is all about recycling

While recycling is an important component of waste reduction, let’s keep in mind that today, less than 20 percent of waste is recycled each year. Most waste still finds its way into nature or the world’s landfills and dumpsites. Without any drastic changes, it is projected that by 2050 the amount of global waste generated will increase by 70 percent compared to 2016 levels.

There is simply no way that we can recycle our way out of this crisis. Instead, we must turn off the tap at the source – and that is exactly what zero waste is about: preventing waste generation in the first place, reusing materials, and redesigning products and processes to minimize waste.

Myth 3: Zero waste is for individuals, not businesses

The responsibility of reducing waste is often framed as a lifestyle choice for individuals. However, businesses have a significant impact on waste production and can make substantial contributions towards a zero-waste future.

Government policies can encourage businesses to adopt a holistic approach to zero waste by promoting product design that prioritizes durability, repairability, and reuse. They can also mandate waste reduction targets for businesses and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices. Businesses can implement zero-waste strategies by designing waste out from the get-go, reevaluating their supply chains, reducing packaging waste, and partnering with suppliers that prioritize sustainability.

Achieving zero waste requires the collective effort from governments, businesses and citizens. With the right policies and business practices in place, we can realize this important vision and create a cleaner, greener, healthier planet for all.

Source: UNDP

How technology can make the climate crisis accessible, undeniable and actionable

06.10.2023

iceland-glečer-led — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Bethany Legg)

We’ve all seen haunting images of receding glaciers, but how many of us have ventured into their melting heartlands, felt the ancient ice slipping away or heard the roar as it cascaded into the ocean?

An immersive approach to the climate crisis not only sparks much-needed collective action among government, science and business, but can also lead to more environmentally conscious decisions in the physical world. By transporting decision-makers into hard-to-reach environments via virtual tools, it makes the abstract tangible. It makes the distant Arctic and Antarctic crises accessible, immediate and undeniable.

We need to make people appreciate the imminent threat

For years, science has sounded alarm bells about climate change, highlighting the vast ecological shifts taking place in our polar regions. Now, as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, we are teetering on the edge of critical thresholds that could send our world into irreversible damage.

Arctic summer sea ice, a sentinel of global climate health, is projected to reach one of the lowest levels in recorded history this year. Since 1979, sea ice cover at the end of summer has shrunk by a concerning 13 percent per decade.

This loss triggers a domino effect. The vanishing ice causes the Arctic Ocean surface waters to warm, amplifying the region’s warming. This increased warming in the Arctic influences the Greenland ice sheet melt and permafrost thaw, which would cause disruption of large-scale weather patterns, an increase in extreme weather events across the northern hemisphere and a change in the Arctic’s heat-reflecting abilities. The sheer magnitude of these intertwined systems sounds a warning: Our planet’s stability is hanging by a thread.

Climate crisis: nearing the point of no return

Of 16 climate tipping points, critical thresholds where relatively small changes in conditions can lead to abrupt and often irreversible shifts in the climate system, five lie in the polar regions. And here’s the rub: At just +1.5°C of warming, the target of the Paris Agreement, three of these – Greenland Ice Sheet collapse, West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse and Boreal Permafrost abrupt thaw – will be triggered. What makes this particularly concerning is that as these tipping points are activated, they can exacerbate global warming themselves, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. This, in turn, could propel our world into a state that’s more than +2°C warmer, with dire consequences for ecosystems and societies worldwide.

It’s clear that we’re facing a climate emergency. But when talking about melting ice at our planet’s poles, it can be hard to visualize what that means for the world, for its people and for us each individually. Leading voices on global environmental risks have long remarked on the need for greater awareness surrounding critical ecological challenges and their potential consequences. It can be even harder to translate that urgency into the many steps – both large and small – that will help us collectively come together to address it.

All is not lost

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Teodor Bjerrang)

The good news is that even as the crisis grows, so does our capacity to address it. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), serve as powerful tools that help us realize the challenges we face – while also powering platforms that can elevate diverse voices and advance ideas in our efforts to solve it.

In the World Economic Forum’s Global Collaboration Village, a purpose-driven platform powered by next-generation technology and initiated by the World Economic Forum in partnership with Accenture and Microsoft, a new Polar Tipping Points Hub has been unveiled. Developed with expertise from Arctic Basecamp, this hub offers a unique visualization of all the climate tipping points and the potential cascading risks they pose.

By pooling data from institutions, including Arctic Basecamp, NASA, and the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC), the hub employs live simulations to present a unique visualization of impending threats, such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, heat stress and heat waves, compromised food and water security, climate migration, disease exacerbation and disruptions in logistics and supply chains.

In the hub, people can harness immersive digital landscapes to conduct intricate real-time simulations and modelling of future situations, enabling them to examine polar warming trends that depict the consequences of not meeting climate targets, including the loss of sea ice, permafrost thaw and ice sheet collapses. This unique experience also showcases how one global risk is connected to the other, through polar change. It also highlights how triggering climate tipping points can drive temperatures higher than anticipated.

The world is at a crossroads. We must increase awareness of the crisis we face – and we must translate that awareness into tangible action. By leveraging the best of technology, we can pave the way for innovative, collaborative solutions and, in doing so, create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Source: World Economic Forum

Just Transition Forum highlights fair and sustainable energy future

05.10.2023

solarni-paneli-solar — Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Michael Fortsch)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Eduardo Jaeger)

The Energy Community Secretariat organized the Energy Community Just Transition Forum in Skopje, an important gathering aimed at addressing crucial measures for a sustainable and equitable energy transition. The event brought together around 200 participants, both in person and online, fostering meaningful discussions, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange among stakeholders from various sectors. The forum reaffirmed the Energy Community Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to energy transition, regulatory cooperation, and sustainability in the face of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

The forum delved into critical topics essential for ensuring a just energy transition, including policy planning, socio-economic challenges in coal-dependent communities, financial support mechanisms, and the positive impacts on air quality and social equality stemming from a just transition.

Key highlights from the event included the following:

Integration of Just Transition into strategic documents: Participants stressed the importance of incorporating just transition and coal phase-out plans into strategic documents, such as National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). These documents should act as a compass for change in the energy sector, guiding the transition while also serving as a financing roadmap for just transition initiatives.
Careful Planning for coal-dependent regions: Recognizing the inevitability of decarbonization in coal-dependent regions, the forum emphasized the need for careful planning for a just transition. This planning must consider human rights, including gender equality, and secure adequate resources from diverse funding sources, including carbon pricing revenue streams.
National commitments for international support: National commitments were deemed pivotal for initiating action by local governments and communities. Furthermore, these commitments serve as the foundation for international support, as exemplified by the Energy Community’s efforts in the energy transition.
Urgency for immediate action: Participants emphasized that planning for a just transition must commence without delay, particularly in coal-dependent regions most affected by energy transition and decarbonization.

The forum prioritized a people-centered approach, addressing inequalities and enhancing workers’ rights and skills development. It also just transition to environmental benefits, including reducing air pollution and promoting healthier urban planning. Regarding financing, it recognized the importance of various funding sources, including carbon pricing revenue.

The Energy Community Just Transition Forum fostered collaboration among stakeholders for a fair and sustainable energy future, reaffirming the Energy Community Secretariat’s commitment to navigating the evolving energy landscape.

Source: Energy Community

PORTUGAL A COUNTRY OF GREEN IDEAS – A TRAIL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD FOLLOW

04.10.2023

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (francois-le-nguyen)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (eric-masur)

I started my visit to Portugal in Lisbon, one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful cities in the world. Thanks to the Pulse of Europe project – Media Trips to the EU, I had a unique opportunity to get to know this country in a completely different way.

During my visit to Lisbon, I learned from the officials that Portugal can teach us how to go through the energy transition in a good way. The energy crisis that strongly shook Europe shows how necessary a safe and reliable electricity supply is. And while many are still trying to find the best and easiest way to achieve a stable supply of green energy, Portugal is largely meeting the energy transition goals.

They get about 60 per cent of their energy from renewable energy sources and predict that this will go up to as much as 80 per cent in two years. Portugal stopped using coal for electricity production more than a year ago when they shut down the last thermal power plant.

They are among the first countries in the world to start building wind farms and are leaders in the use of biomass and solar energy.

IN FOCUS:

Ana Fontoura Gouveia, State Secretary for Energy and Climate at the Ministry of Energy, explains that Portugal started the energy transition more than twenty years ago.

As she pointed out, their big challenge is accelerating the use of renewable energy sources. The most important thing for the country is the secure energy supply and ensuring that the industry has green, reliable, and price-competitive energy. Cooperation with citizens and policymakers is very important in this process so that everyone solves everything together to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate all other problems they face.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (nuno-marques)

Ana Fontoura Gouveia also points out that it is necessary to expedite the construction of solar power plants and offshore wind farms and that Portugal attracts investors and industries with competitive energy prices.

“Solar power plants are common here, but we also focus on wind farms. Regarding technology related to offshore wind farms, it develops continuously, which we monitor closely. We plan to use it more and more in the future as the price of this technology gradually decreases,” says the State Secretary for Energy and Climate at the Ministry of Energy.

Antonio Coutinho, director of innovation at the power company Energia Portugal, explains that innovations are key to the energy transition, and he particularly underlines floating wind farms.

“Energy transition is ‘something we must do’ because we must stop using fossil fuels and completely turn to renewable energy sources. It is an ongoing process in Portugal; everyone must get involved to put coal out of use. Electrification is the next step, followed by boosting energy efficiency, use of hydrogen, synthetic fuels and others,” he adds.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (jeroen-den-otter)

Renewable energy cooperative

Copernicus is the first renewable energy cooperative in Portugal, which gathers 3,000 cooperative members who, by association, ensure a safe electricity supply.

“This is a new way of producing electricity in communities organized by citizens and different institutions. Their buildings are covered in solar panels. Within a range of two kilometres, they can combine production and generate enough energy for their needs. They can also sell it to people who live nearby and have problems with supply for social reasons,” said Rui Valente, director of Copernicus.

He adds they currently have 1,600 customers who enjoy a guaranteed price and says that they are focused on solar energy but plan to use wind energy as well. One thing is certain: they will definitely use and sell energy from renewable sources only.

Prepared by: Nevena Đukić

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

EU aquaculture in 2021: 1.1 million tonnes farmed

03.10.2023

Photo-illustration: Freepik (frimufilms)

Photo-illustration: Freepik (kdekiara
kdekiara)

In 2021, an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of aquatic organisms were farmed in the EU, valued at 4.2 billion euros. Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, involves the controlled cultivation of fish, molluscs, and crustaceans.

Four EU countries collectively accounted for about two-thirds (68 percent) of the total production of farmed aquatic organisms in 2021: Spain 25 percent, France 17 percent, and both Italy and Greece 13 percent.

Nevertheless, production within the EU was less than that of Norway, where 1.6 million tonnes of aquatic organisms were produced, most of which was farmed salmon.

Production in the EU is focused primarily on finfish species (such as trout, seabream, seabass, carp, tuna, and salmon) and molluscs (including mussels, oysters, and clams), which together accounted for almost all of the aquaculture production by weight in 2021. Different aquatic organisms command different prices. The production value of trout and seabass in 2021 was higher than other species in the EU (each accounting for a 14 percent share of the total value of the EU’s aquatic farming in 2021).

There is a high degree of aquaculture specialisation within the EU. Spain produced about seven in every 10 tonnes of the EU’s farmed Mediterranean mussels in 2021. France farmed most the EU’s Pacific cupped oysters (88 percent of the total) and was the main provider of the EU’s farmed blue mussels (45 percent of the total). Italy produced the vast majority (92 percent) of the EU’s farmed Japanese carpet shell. Greece produced most of the EU’s farmed gilthead seabream (69 percent of the total) and European seabass (53 percent). Farmed Atlantic bluefin tuna was most produced in Malta (72 percent of the EU total), while Ireland was responsible for almost all the farmed salmon in 2021 (96 percent).

Source: Eurostat

Energy Week Western Balkans 2023: the agenda is underway and promising a resounding success

02.10.2023

windmills-g02815a220_1920 — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay (SailingOnChocolateRoses)

Photo-illustration: Freepik (rawpixel.com)

As Energy Week Western Balkan is approaching, the conference agenda promises a resounding success. Here is some food for thought to prepare for Day 1 of EWWB.

Traditionally, Energy Week has a grand OPENING with welcome addresses from governments of the Western Balkan states and European institutions. In 2023, we will be giving the floor to:

Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development, Minister of Capital Investments of Montenegro
Dubravka Đedović, Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia
Petar Đokić, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Republic of Srpska
Vedran Lakić, Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, European Commission (online)

This year, we are thrilled to announce a new session format: FIRESIDE CHAT! We invite you to ignite meaningful conversation and discuss if a 100 percent renewable energy mix is possible for the Western Balkans together with Alessandro Bragonzi, Head of Regional Representation for the Western Balkans at EIB, Viktor Andonov, Energy Adviser to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia

POWER OF NEED & ENERGY SECURITY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

The Western Balkans are facing a critical moment in their energy transition, as the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have increased their dependence on fossil fuels and raised the costs of decarbonization. The region has been lagging behind the EU in phasing out coal and moving towards clean energy sources, despite having abundant potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The energy crisis has also exposed the vulnerability of the Western Balkan countries to external shocks and price fluctuations, as well as the social and environmental impacts of coal dependence. The EU’s introduction of CBAM, which will impose a carbon tax on imports from countries that do not have a similar carbon pricing system, will further increase the pressure on the Western Balkans to align their energy policies with the EU’s climate goals.

Join our dialogue with policymakers and regulators:

Dejan Popovic, President of the Council, Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia
Branislav Prelević, President of the Board, Energy and Water Regulatory Agency of Montenegro
Dario Nikolovski, Director, Energy Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia and others.

FUTURE OF UTILITIES: FROM CRISIS TO TRANSITION & THE ROLE OF TRANSMISSION

The energy crisis in the Western Balkans poses a serious challenge for the utilities that provide electricity to millions of people.

One of the key aspects of ensuring the security of supply and flexibility in a power system is the technology mix. The utilities of the region are diversifying their energy sources and investing in renewable energy projects, such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass. These projects not only reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and lower the carbon footprint but also create new jobs and opportunities for local communities.

By embracing innovation and collaboration, they are showing their commitment to delivering secure, sustainable and affordable electricity to their customers. And, of course, investing in transmission will further foster renewables integration.

Our key speakers:

Luka Petrović, General Director, Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (EPRS)
Aleksandar Mijušković, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Crnogorski elektroprenosni system (CGES)
Skerdi Drenova, CEO, OST
Jeton Mehmeti, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kosovo Transmission System and Market Operator (KOSTT)

FINANCING THE GREEN TRANSITION

The Western Balkans are facing a dual challenge of decarbonizing their economies and increasing their resilience to climate change. To achieve this, Western Balkans need to mobilize green finance from both public and private sources.

Some of the possible ways to boost green finance could include:

Developing a clear and consistent policy framework that aligns with the EU Green Deal and the Paris Agreement
Enhancing the capacity and awareness of financial institutions, regulators, and stakeholders on green finance opportunities and standards
Creating enabling conditions for green investments, such as improving the quality and availability of data, reducing administrative barriers, and providing incentives and guarantees
Promoting green financial products and services, such as green bonds, loans, funds, and insurance, that can attract domestic and foreign investors
Strengthening regional cooperation and integration to leverage economies of scale and share best practices.

Petar Mitrović of Karanovic & Partners will lead the conversation with representatives of Green for Growth Fund, MIGA, Erste Group Bank, UK Export Finance (UKEF), and others.

Official website & registrations: www.wbenergyweek.com

Source: Energy Week Western Balkans

GREEN ENERGY AND STABLE SUPPLY WITH ABB SUPPORT

01.10.2023

windpark_vetropark — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

In the process of mitigating climate change and fighting for the preservation of natural resources, we are turning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and optimal consumption.

The use of new technologies and innovative solutions reduces the impact on the environment and emissions of harmful gases while, at the same time, modern society functions smoothly and safely. Achieving climate neutrality and reducing the use of fossil fuels requires an accelerated transition to the use of renewable energy sources. In contrast, the use of the most advanced solutions achieves the optimization of already existing capacities.

The need for a stable supply of electricity is constantly growing, especially when the demand is intensified, and this is possible only with the application of new technologies. By improving performance in hydropower plants, their life cycle is improved; and by installing ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus SCADA solutions, efficiency is maximized through automation, integration, and optimization of the entire plant, which becomes more reliable. The Repsol company from Spain saw the quality of this system, and it was installed in five of their hydroelectric plants. SCADA provides a standard control methodology with workflow automation and optimization of daily operations with a high degree of security. More than 7,500 Symphony Plus systems have been installed worldwide, of which more than 5,000 support energy applications.

IN FOCUS:

ABB advanced wind solutions

Almost every day, some new, innovative solution in renewable energy sources is presented. They simply become necessary for large systems that use wind and solar energy to work smoothly, providing a stable distribution of the generated electricity.

Overhauling plants operating for years can significantly improve their reliability and extend their service life. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions are inevitably saved. Using the ACS800 inverter, 24 wind turbines at the Aulepa and Aseri wind farms in Estonia operate reliably. Thanks to the new technologies installed in these wind farms, ABB’s maintenance team is ready to help improve the performance of the wind turbines at any time throughout the wind farm’s lifetime.

ABB provides its customers with the most efficient technologies, products and services and introduces innovations for even greater efficiency. It is certain that increasing the capacity of renewable energy sources. However, crucial for climate change mitigation and energy independence cannot happen overnight. Therefore, we must do everything we can now to preserve the environment and reduce costs, as well as to ensure enough energy.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

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

Renewables Jobs Nearly Doubled in Past Decade, Soared to 13.7 Million in 2022

30.09.2023

wind , vetar , obnovljivi — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 13.7 million in 2022, an increase of one million since 2021 and up from a total of 7.3 million in 2012, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The tenth edition of Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2023, is the product of a continuing collaboration between the two agencies.

The report found that renewable energy is attracting increasing investment, leading to job creation in a growing number of countries. However, as in previous years, most of the jobs are concentrated in a few states, notably China, which accounts for 41 per cent of the global total. Brazil, European Union (EU) countries, India and the United States of America (USA) were among the others. Together they represent the majority of global capacity installations and play key roles in the manufacturing of equipment, engineering and associated services.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) was once again the largest employer in 2022, the Annual Review found, reaching 4.9 million jobs, more than a third of the total workforce in the renewable energy sector. Hydropower and biofuels had similar numbers of jobs as in 2021, around 2.5 million each, followed by wind power with 1.4 million jobs.

Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, observed that “2022 was another outstanding year for renewable energy jobs, amid multiplying challenges. Creating many more millions of jobs will require a much faster pace of investments in energy transition technologies. Earlier this month, the G20 leaders agreed to accelerate efforts to triple global renewables capacity by 2030 aligned with our recommendations ahead of COP28. I call on all policy makers to use this momentum as an opportunity to adopt ambitious policies that drive the needed systemic change.”

ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, said, “To seize the significant opportunities to attain full, productive and freely chosen employment, social inclusion and decent work for all during these complex transitions, there is a need to develop and implement specific policies for inclusive macroeconomic growth, sustainable enterprises, skills development, other active labour market interventions, social protection, occupational safety and health and other rights at work, and find new solutions through social dialogue.”

The quality of jobs matters as much as their quantity, the study notes. To advance social justice, the transition to a cleaner energy future needs to be just and inclusive for all; workers, enterprises and communities. Hence, coherent and integrated frameworks are indispensable, with a focus on wages, occupational safety and health and rights at work, and based on effective social dialogue. The ILO’s Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies provide a central reference for policy making and actions to support a just transition that governments and other stakeholders can draw upon.

A just and inclusive energy transition must also pursue workforce development and diversity. The report highlights the need to expand education and training and increase career opportunities for youth, minorities and marginalised groups. Greater gender equity is also essential. At the moment, jobs in renewables remain unequally distributed between men and women. Currently, solar technology has the best gender balance compared to other sectors, with 40 per cent of jobs held by women.

Many countries are showing increased interest in localising supply chains and creating jobs domestically, with support from appropriate industrial policies. This goes hand-in-hand with a growing desire to lessen energy supply insecurities. China has successfully pursued a broad array of these industrial policies for some years. More recently, the EU, India, Japan, South Africa and the USA have announced initiatives to stimulate domestic manufacturing. However, countries will need to find ways to combine localisation efforts with continued global cooperation in pursuit of an ambitious energy transition.

Source: IRENA

IEA, ECB and EIB highlight importance of an accelerated clean energy transition for Europe’s industrial competitiveness and financial stability

29.09.2023

solar , vetar , oie — Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Appolinary Kalashnikova)

The heads of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are today calling on leaders from government, finance and industry across Europe to deliver a clean energy transition which is just, swift and maintains competitiveness.

Ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, central bankers and other key stakeholders are gathering at the IEA’s headquarters in Paris for the high-level conference. In opening remarks to delegates, ECB President Christine Lagarde, EIB President Werner Hoyer and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol will issue a call to action to accelerate the clean energy transition.

In the face of severe disruption in global energy markets, Europe must scale up funding to support an orderly transition and position itself among other industrial heavyweights in the new energy economy. In the IEA’s pathway for the global energy sector to reach net zero emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment in the European Union needs to rise significantly by 2030.

The ECB’s second economy wide climate stress test finds that frontloading clean energy investment significantly reduces medium-term costs and risks for firms and households. But besides geopolitical tension and high inflation, private sector investment faces a number of market barriers including policy uncertainty and lengthy permitting procedures that delay projects, deter investors and lead to cost overruns for developers.

European industry also finds itself at a competitive disadvantage regarding the price of energy. Compared with other regions, these prices are relatively high, and ambitious industrial programmes are being introduced in countries such as the United States, China, India, Japan and Korea to build up domestic supply chains, resource security and manufacturing capacity. Accelerating energy transition investment will help Europe limit dependence on major fossil-fuel producers and often volatile fuel markets.

The European Union has committed to spending at least 30 percent of its 2021-2027 budget on climate action. And development finance institutions such as the EIB have an important role to play in providing support for clean energy projects to crowd-in private sector engagement. For every euro spent by the EIB on its energy operations, it attracts a further 1.4 euros from the private sector. The EIB has already raised its financing for clean energy projects to unprecedented levels, and recently announced an additional 45 billion euros, on top of its regular lending volumes. This will go to supporting renewables and state-of-the art manufacturing in strategic net-zero industries to help accelerate the transition. Having already ceased all financing to unabated fossil fuels, the EU bank is well on track to support one trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment this decade.

Today’s conference will discuss how policies and financial instruments can unlock further investment. Given the vast investments required, it will be important to pave the way for better access to funding. This includes steps to establish a green capital market union (CMU) to help finance – earmarked for the clean energy transition – flow seamlessly across borders. Such a union will also provide a robust yardstick for sustainable finance projects and help eliminate greenwashing practices. The clean energy transition can only succeed in an environment of price stability. Moreover, in its commitment to support an orderly transition, the ECB has taken decisive steps to integrate climate change considerations into its monetary policy framework and financial stability monitoring.

Source: IEA

ABB and Export Development Canada agree on global partnership for financing clean tech projects

28.09.2023

ABB and Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada’s export credit agency, have signed a global partnership to promote investments in sustainable technologies and projects in Canada and around the world. The support provided by EDC, with a total limit of up to 2.9 billion US dollars, will provide ABB’s customers with financing and insurance solutions to strategic electrification and automation projects in the sectors of clean technologies, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and resources of the future. Commercial financing will be provided on a project-by-project basis and the partnership will initially run for three years.

ABB CFO Timo Ihamuotila said: “I am very pleased about our partnership with EDC and their trust in ABB as a global technology leader in electrification and automation. This partnership enhances our value proposition to customers and is fully in line with our purpose to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. It will offer our customers and us the opportunity to further invest in sustainable technologies and – in doing so – to contribute actively to reaching decarbonization goals in various industries’’.

The partnership aims to foster investments globally and locally in Canada both through ABB’s customer projects and within the company’s own operations. EDC will finance and provide insurance to customer projects across the ABB portfolio, from electrification, motion, process automation to robotics and discrete automation.

,,EDC is committed to supporting large multinational companies, like ABB, that have strong anchors in Canada and are focused on building an innovative, equitable and sustainable economy,” said Sven List, Senior Vice President, Corporate and International Group, EDC. “Extensive capital is required to transition to more sustainable practices and develop greener products and services. Together we will play an important role in developing Canada’s contribution to global sustainability and address pressing issues like climate change’’.

A specific focus will be on strategic investments in technologies and solutions with growth potential, such as green hydrogen production, sustainable transport solutions or the electrification of today’s fossil-based activities to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Collaboration with innovative Canadian start-ups is also an essential topic under the umbrella of the partnership with EDC. With over 100 years of technological innovation in Canada, ABB’s success in Canada is driven by 3,100 talented employees in 29 locations from coast to coast.

Source: ABB

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES ARE THE WAY OUT OF THE ENERGY CRISIS

27.09.2023

sunce-klimatske-promene — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The energy crisis showed us how vulnerable we are and how fragile our energy safety is. The war in Ukraine, which caused an unprecedented increase in electricity prices, exposed all the flaws in the electricity pricing system. It forced the entire continent to develop new plans to quickly energy independence so that a similar crisis would never happen to us again. We spoke with Maja Pokrovac, director of RES Croatia (OIE Hrvatska), about what Croatia is doing to overcome the current situation and how much attention the country pays to renewable energy sources.

What is Croatia doing to find a way out of the energy crisis?

In this crisis, Croatia fared better than many countries thanks to developed renewable energy projects, mostly hydroelectric power plants. However, due to the increase in electricity prices, the government of the Republic of Croatia, like other EU countries, implemented special measures such as capping the electricity and heat prices. Furthermore, it adopted measures for developing renewable energy sources, including the abolition of VAT on solar panels. At the same time, this crisis has once again confirmed that only energy produced within the state’s borders can ensure protection from external influences.

With the passing of the Electricity Market Act and the Renewable Energy Sources Act, deadlines for completing relevant administrative processes have been shortened. How does that look in practice, and how fast are renewable energy sources projects implemented?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Karsten Würth)

Both acts brought big and significant changes to the RES sector in Croatia. Energy approval has become the first important step in project development, in contrast to the former system where energy approval consequently came after the project was almost developed. According to the new Electricity Market Act, this is a key tool of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development in developing and managing the energy sector. The government introduced significant changes regarding the duration of the project development. Before, a project could last over 10 years, but now it is limited by law to a maximum of five. The time given to fulfil the prerequisites for connection to the power grid has been significantly shortened, and it has now been reduced to three months compared to last year because the requirements have been met for the Croatian transmission system operator to hand over part of its operations to external authorized and certified companies. Opportunities for innovative business formats have also been created. And for the first time, the law introduced electromobility as an important part of the country’s energy transition. After the law’s passing, key by-laws and other regulations were missing, so the development of renewable energy projects could not be implemented at the expected pace.

There were no known rules on the criteria for conducting a public tender for issuing energy permits, which investors often complained about. Thanks to transitional provisions of the new law, it was possible to complete all serious RES projects. Thus, 87 energy approvals with a total power of 2,132MW were issued. Their implementation should begin soon, which means that in the next five years, we will have 2,000MW of energy produced by new RES facilities.

IN FOCUS:

What is our region’s position in the RES segment compared to the rest of Europe?

Photo-illustration: Freepik (@
Oleksandr Ryzhkov)

In terms of the region, it is often associated with great potential. Solar has the strongest potential because it does not depend on location, and each location has insolation far greater than any country in northwest Europe. Indeed, this potential is huge and can put the entire region on the map of those countries which achieved energy independence with the help of renewable energy sources and can also export electricity.

Each country in the region is better than the other in some respects, but we all need administrative obstacles to be eliminated to accelerate the development of RES projects. We have recently published an Action Plan for the Uptake of Offshore Renewable Energy Sources in Croatia, which clearly shows that we have the potential to develop as many as 25GW od offshore wind farms. Our experts have calculated that with the development of 2,500MW of wind and 2,500MW of solar power plants, we could cover all electricity imports. However, the potential for the development of solar energy is significantly higher than that. SolarPower Europe believes Croatia can develop up to 7GW of solar projects by 2030. Croatia has abundant geothermal deposits, and the potential for developing around 1,000MW of geothermal projects has been estimated. We currently have only 10 MW installed. Biogas and biomass plants are also essential to us.

RES Croatia became part of the large European RE-Source platform dedicated to the development of PPA contracts in the European Union. At the same time, Croatia was also included in the PPA statistics for the first time. What changes do PPA contracts bring in Croatia?

Croatian companies sign PPA contracts and receive inquiries for concluding new contracts almost daily. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) are extremely important to the entire energy system and benefit everyone. Companies that are large electricity consumers sign long-term contracts with renewable energy producers on the purchase of electricity at pre agreed prices. It enables producers of energy from renewable sources to safely sell produced electricity and customers to supply green energy at an agreed price safely. This way, companies can more easily plan their annual expenses without contemplating whether a crisis would hit them.

Prepared by: Milica Radičević

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

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