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Zagreb on the Path to Climate Neutrality

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Goran Horvat)

Careful planning of the preservation of existing green areas and planting greenery in new areas is very important, especially for the urban environment. Greenery reduces air pollution, mitigates the effects of tropical heat, and increases resistance to floods and extreme weather events. Zagreb was one of the cities that demonstrated a strong commitment to such during the previous planting season when the city got 8,000 new trees.

Following the adoption of the Green Urban Renewal Strategy for the City of Zagreb, plans are in place for developing green infrastructure, achieving energy efficiency goals, adapting to climate change, and boosting resistance to risks. Zagreb’s commitment is also reflected in the city’s entry into the European Union’s Mission of 100 climate-neutral and smart cities, whereby the city government committed to drafting and implementing the Climate City Contract. This document reflects the political determination and vision of decarbonization in the city’s key sectors. It primarily refers to decarbonizing the built environment (buildings), traffic, (centralized) heating and cooling systems and related activities.

“The complete transformation of the planning and implementation process of decarbonization measures and adaptation to climate change is underway. Our goal is to include elements of decarbonization and adaptation in all city processes and key documents. We started the process by implementing higher energy efficiency standards, using renewable energy sources and incorporating adaptation elements into spatial plans”, explains Ana Pavičić Kaselj from the city’s office department for economic affairs, environmental sustainability and strategic planning.

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Kristina Kutlesa)

Regarding waste management, the construction of the new facility in Resnik will ensure the processing of mixed municipal waste, bio-waste, paper, plastic, and metal is in line with the latest standards. Ms Pavičić Kaselj points out that the facility is a unique plant for mechanical-biological waste treatment (MBT) of the latest generation, completely closed, without releasing unpleasant odors and harmful emissions into the environment, which uses the best currently available technologies in the EU and includes a mixed waste processing plant and a sorting and composting plant.

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Energy efficiency and decarbonization of traffic

The energy rehabilitation of public buildings in Zagreb is carried out in line with a clearly established plan, all to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50 per cent in each building. During the building renovation, economically viable and energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and environmentally friendly fuels are applied.

“The plan related to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources projects for public use, covering the period from 2024 to 2026, which the City Assembly adopted in December 2023, identifies the facilities that will be renovated to boost their energy efficiency as well as construction and extension of public purpose buildings. A budget of around 133,000,000 euros is planned for these projects this and the next two years”, adds Ms Pavičić Kaselj.

Regarding traffic decarbonization, the city’s priority is to make public city transport faster, more reliable, and more efficient, which will contribute to an increasing number of citizens using this type of transport over their vehicles. Although encouraging public urban transport alone will not completely and immediately solve the problem of motor vehicle exhaust gases, improving the quality and speed of urban public passenger transport is a sure and proven way to reduce air pollution and the number of vehicles on city roads.

Prepared by Milica Radičević

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

Landslide Triggered by Climate Change Caused Earth’s Vibration

Foto-Ilustracija: Pixabay (Pexels)

A massive landslide caused by climate change in a remote part of Greenland created a megatsunami, causing the Earth to vibrate for nine days in September last year, according to newly released research by scientists.

The unusual and prolonged vibrations had a completely different pattern from tremors caused by earthquakes. To uncover the cause, scientists used field recordings, satellite images, and mathematical modeling

The research, published in the journal Science, concluded that the landslide was triggered by glacier melting, which has thinned in recent years due to climate change.

In the remote Dixon Fjord, there was a 200-meter-high splash of water and a wave up to 110 meters high. This wave, which stretched across 10 kilometers of the fjord, reduced to seven meters in a few minutes, according to researchers’ estimates, and then diminished to just a few centimeters over the following days.

This is the first time that water splashing has caused measurable vibrations through the Earth’s crust, which traveled across the globe and lasted several days.

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“When I first saw the seismic signal, I was completely baffled. Although we know that seismometers can record various sources from the Earth’s surface, such a prolonged, globally traveling seismic wave with only one oscillation frequency had never been recorded before. This inspired me to co-lead a large team of scientists trying to solve this mystery,” said Stephen Hicks of UCL Earth Sciences.

The mysterious seismic signal — originating from vibrations through the Earth’s crust — was detected by seismometers worldwide, from the Arctic to Antarctica. It appeared completely different from the rich frequencies of “splashes” and “sound signals” from earthquake recordings, as it contained only one frequency of vibration, like a monotonous hum.

A team of 68 scientists from 40 institutions in 15 countries estimated that 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice fell into the fjord (enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools).

The fjord is located on a route often used by tourist cruise ships visiting Greenland’s fjords. Fortunately, no cruise ships were near Dixon Fjord on the day of the landslide and tsunami.

The study concluded that with the acceleration of climate change, it will become increasingly important to characterize and monitor regions previously considered stable and provide early warnings for such massive landslide and tsunami events.

Energetski portal

Will EPS Be Ready for the Winter?

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

In Kostolac B thermal power plant, the B2 unit overhaul has been completed and 350 megawatts unit is connected to the power grid. The plan is to have B1 unit online, after the capital overhaul in the second half of September, which will mark the end of the overhaul season in Kostolac. In May, the first major overhaul of the B1 unit since the completion of the revitalization in 2014 began and is considered one of the most important undertakings to ensure the safe operation of the 350 MW plant in the coming years.

This major overhaul will improve the reliability, energy efficiency of the units, as well as environmental performance. Small repairs of A1 and A2 units in Kostolac A TPP were completed earlier.

– Overhauls and revitalizations are going according to the plan and everything will be ready for the winter season and stable electricity supply. All overhauls are fully adapted to the most important investment – the revitalization of our only pumped storage hydro power plant Bajina Basta, which started after 42 years of operation. This year, we will complete the first unit, and the second one in the following year, which will mean complete refurbishment of more than 600 megawatts that will give our system significant energy security – says Dušan Živković, General Manager of EPS JSC.

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Despite the drought, the EPS system has steadily supplied electricity to the industry and citizens even during extreme temperatures.

In the summer, consumption was about 15 percent higher compared to the previous years, while production from the hydro sector was about 30 percent lower compared to 2023, and hydrological conditions were also very unfavourable because the largest number of watercourses was on the verge of biological minimum.

Source: EPS

Innovative “Living Plastic” Decomposes in Just One Week

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The fight against plastic pollution is crucial for the protection of natural resources and mitigating the climate crisis. Developing environmentally friendly solutions and reducing the use of plastic in everyday life are necessary steps to preserve the planet, and scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have contributed to these efforts.

They have designed so-called “living plastic” that self-destructs when it begins to erode. This innovative material decomposes in compost in one month, compared to the 55 days required for traditional plastic.

The technology is inspired by enzymes produced by bacteria discovered in Japan in 2016, which naturally break down plastic, reports Science Alert.

Researchers have successfully embedded bacterial spores into the structure of polycaprolactone (PCL) plastic. As the plastic erodes, the spores begin to release enzymes that almost completely break down the plastic molecules.

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By combining with lipase produced from the yeast Candida antarctica, the plastic degradation process was accelerated to just one week. Tests showed that the spores survive the high temperatures and pressures required for creating various types of plastic, including PET plastic.

The study by Chinese scientists was published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, and their discovery provides hope for future sustainable materials that will reduce the problem of plastic pollution.

Although the use of biodegradable plastic and bioplastic is increasing today, they still represent a negligible portion of global plastic production. For example, bioplastic, which is made from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or cellulose, currently accounts for only about one percent of the total 367 million tons of plastic produced worldwide each year, according to data from the European Bioplastics organization.

Energy Portal

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.

The phaseout of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth.

On this World Ozone Day, we not only celebrate the achievements to date but also look to the future for deeper and faster action under the Montreal Protocol. Deeper and faster for the ozone layer but above all, for people, for climate and for the planet.

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Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the ozone layer prompted the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take action to protect the ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22 March 1985. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.

Source: United Nations

MOL Group is a Leading Player in Creating a Green and Self-Sustaining Region

Photo: MOL Group

In mid-March of this year, MOL Group updated its long-term strategy SHAPE TOMORROW, according to which the company aims to make the region greener, more self-sustainable and more competitive. MOL Group ensures a smart transition with defined solutions by further strengthening the security of supply in the region, creating value from waste and shaping the future of mobility with innovative technologies. The updated strategy emphasizes renewable fuels, green hydrogen, biomethane and geothermal energy. In the coming years, the company will invest more than 4 billion dollars in green investments and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

We believe that MOL Group will meet its goals because, in the past month, the company has opened two factories that meet the strategy’s goals. In mid-April, a green hydrogen plant was opened in Százhalombatta, which will produce as many as 1,600 tons of green hydrogen per year using electricity from renewable sources. It is the largest green hydrogen plant in Central and Eastern Europe, with a capacity of 10 Megawatts. The investment of 22 million euros will make fuel production more sustainable, and the factory will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the Danube refinery by 25,000 tons per year.

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The new technology will gradually replace the production process based on natural gas, which currently accounts for one-sixth of MOL Group’s total carbon dioxide emissions. It will primarily use green hydrogen in its own network during fuel production. We asked MOL Group representatives to explain how they will make green hydrogen, and here is their answer:

“MOL Group has reached another milestone: from now on, we can produce green hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases. With this technology, we achieve a reduction in emissions that is equivalent to removing around 5,500 vehicles from the road at once. Today, our new green hydrogen plant makes MOL’s industrial operations greener, but tomorrow, it will offer solutions for the entire industry and hydrogen mobility. After Sasalombata, we will transfer the technology to the other two production units in Rijeka and Bratislava to make the fuel production process more sustainable in all MOL Group refineries,” said József Molnár, CEO of MOL Group, at the opening ceremony of the new green hydrogen plant.

Photo: MOL Group

The second factory, more precisely, the polyol complex, was opened in mid-May in Tiszaújváros. The value of this investment is as much as 1.3 billion euros, and the complex has a capacity of about 200,000 tons of polyol per year. With the opening of the polyol factory, MOL Group became the only entity in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe that covers the entire value chain, from oil refining to the production of polyol (a plastic raw material with an extensive application). Polyol is one of the most sought-after plastic raw materials, used in a wide range of industries from automotive manufacturing to clothing and insulation.

Polyurethane is made from polyols and is the base material for many consumer durables that everyone encounters daily. The plant in Tiszaújváros will produce polyol using one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly methods available today. According to MOL’s calculations, the factory will annually contribute nearly 150 million euros to the financial results of the MOL Group and will provide long-term employment for almost 300 people. MOL Group creates value from waste, starts a circular economy and additionally strengthens the security of supply. There is no doubt that the energy transition must be implemented, and the very ambitious goals set by the European Union must be achieved. This is in the interest of all actors on the market. MOL Group, as a leading company in the Central European industry, is doing everything it can to fulfil these goals and transform the company.

Mol Group

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

China’s Slowdown is Weighing on the Outlook for Global Oil Demand Growth

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Monthly data reported by countries representing 80 percent of global oil demand for the first six months of 2024 are now available. The data confirm the sharp slowdown in the rate of growth in oil consumption. Global demand rose by 800,000 b/d, or 0.8 percent, year‑on‑year during the first half of the year.

The recent downturn in China has been even more acute than expected, with oil demand in July declining year‑on‑year for a fourth consecutive month. At the same time, growth outside of China is tepid at best. This weaker demand environment has helped fuel a sharp sell-off in oil markets. Brent crude oil futures have plunged from a high of more than 82 dollars per barrel in early August to near three-year lows at just below 70 dollars per barrel on 11 September.

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China has been the cornerstone of the growth in global oil demand so far this century. Dynamic factory activity, massive infrastructure investments and rising prosperity across a population of over one billion people driving what has, at times, felt like an inexorable expansion in oil consumption.

Over the past decade, the annual increase in Chinese oil demand has averaged in excess of 600 000 b/d, accounting for more than 60 percent of the total global average increase. Moreover, China’s share of global demand growth has expanded since the pandemic. This year, demand outside China will remain 0.3 percent below 2019 levels, but in China, consumption will be 18 percent higher.

Source: IEA

OxyRePair – A Step Towards More Efficient Hydrometallurgy and Green Energy Storage

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (M)
Photo: OxyRePair

An innovative technological procedure for the complete processing and repair of waste titanium electrodes from hydrometallurgy is the subject of research in the OxyRePair project, which, in the period from 2023 to 2025, is financed by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. The project was financed as part of the Green Program of Cooperation between Science and Industry, and the project holder is the National Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy of the University of Belgrade, which carries out research in cooperation with four other scientific and higher education institutions from Serbia.

The research results will offer domestic and regional industrial environment technology for restoring waste electrode resources, with a secondary reaction of water oxidation and electricity consumption. At this moment, the processing and restoration of the electrodes require considerable costs. The electrode manufacturing process will be operationally optimized for the first time to predict the manufacturing parameters of any electrode shape required by specific processes.

The research will establish two key production steps: the mechanical repair of titanium and the formulation of activation for efficient water oxidation.

The setup will be closely related to the main goal of operational research: predicting the conditions of each step to reach an acceptable lifespan of the recovered electrode resource for an economically acceptable production process.

Project results refer mostly to specific industrial entities that deal with the electrochemical production of metals. Companies that produce precious metal powders and metal food packaging do not practice remanufacturing process electrodes as a step for a sustainable closed economic circle but choose between buying new and repairing deactivated anodes, depending on cost-effectiveness. Deactivated electrodes accumulate as process waste and take up production space. The project results will enable companies to close the loop on the use of electrodes with optimized on-site technology. In addition, the project activities will propose specific procedures for a given production environment to extend the lifespan of the electrode and thus reduce the frequency of intermittent interruptions of the production process.

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Specific on-site technology will thus significantly reduce production costs and improve industrial waste management. According to the proposed technology, the deactivated electrode resource, which is disposed of as process waste, will be recovered by the users themselves, which is currently not possible and constitutes a significant environmental aspect of the project. This will significantly reduce companies’ costs related to the disposal and care of waste resources and the acquisition of new electrode equipment.

At the domestic and regional economic levels, the project will offer a significant technological procedure for many important and modern industrial branches but does not exist as a technological solution. The procedural solution also contains an aspect of innovation concerning equivalent traditional offers in countries such as Italy, Germany, China, and India. At the global level, the contribution of the project results in improving energy efficiency within the concept of engaging renewable energy sources is also expected.

The main value of the project’s innovative technology is its wide application: it can be used for the processes of cathodic protection of steel structures against corrosion, treatment of industrial wastewater, and water electrolysis for the storage of green hydrogen fuel from renewable energy sources.

Project Team OxyRePair

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

Wind Turbine Orders and Supply Chain Investments Are Up – But Urgent Action Is Required on Grids, Permitting And Auction Design

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Ryan Duffy)

In the first half (H1) of 2024 Europe added 6.4 GW of new wind energy capacity: 5.3 GW onshore and 1.1 GW offshore. The EU-27 built 5.7 GW of this: 4.7 GW onshore and 1 GW offshore. Germany built the most with 1.7 GW, followed by France (1.2 GW) and Spain (876 MW).

Europe now has 278 GW of wind power capacity. 242 GW of this is onshore and 35 GW offshore. The EU-27 now has 225 GW of wind: 205 GW onshore and 20 GW offshore.

Wind turbine orders are up on last year: by 11 percent on H1 2023 for all of Europe and by 33 percent for the EU. And current auction volumes are strong: EU Governments awarded 19.7 GW of new wind capacity in their auctions in H1, twice as much as in H1 2023. The permitting numbers are also encouraging, notably the 5 GW new onshore permits Germany awarded in H1.

But investment decisions to build new wind farms are down on last year. Europe took 15.4bn euros of final investment decisions (FIDs) in new wind farms in H1 2024. This is less than 30 percent of the total FIDs taken in 2023. There are four offshore FIDs so far this year. The new installations in H1 2024 are slightly less than expected, and less than half of what was built in the whole of 2023. We now expect the EU to build 15 GW of new wind farms this year, compared to 16 GW in 2023.

How much wind will Europe build by 2030 ?

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

Current trends and the pipeline of projects and auctions now point to the EU having 350 GW of wind energy capacity by 2030: 296 GW onshore and 54 GW offshore. The EU target is 425 GW. Today it has 225 GW. We expect Europe to build 22 GW of new wind farms a year on average over 2024-30, with the numbers rising towards the end of the decade.

The main bottleneck now is in electricity grids. New connections aren’t being built or permitted fast enough. There are often constraints in the availability of grid equipment. The permitting of new wind farms remains an issue in many countries. Germany is making excellent progress having implemented overriding public interest and the other new EU permitting rules. But most Governments still haven’t implemented them yet.

The combination of still high interest rates and input costs with a lower perspective for future wholesale power prices is also making it challenging to take FID for new wind farms, especially the big offshore ones.

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Is the EU Wind Power Package helping?

The EU realised this time last year that things were not going well in wind, and that the sector needed additional support. The Wind Power Package they adopted with 15 immediate measures to strengthen the wind value chain are helping. The European Investment Bank (EIB) have set up and started using their (initially) 5bn euros counter-guarantee facility. Governments are giving more visibility on their future auctions, making more use of non-price criteria and indexing their auction prices better. And the Commission are taking action to ensure a level playing field.

Governments and public financial institutions are also giving more support to supply chain and logistics investments. And this is helping to support an increase in new manufacturing investments. Europe’s wind energy supply chain is now building several new factories and expanding existing ones. By the end of 2025 the European supply chain will have the capacity to manufacture 9.5 GW of offshore and 22.5 GW of onshore wind turbines a year.

What should policymakers do now on wind?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Pedro Henrique Santos)

Governments need to fully implement what they’ve agreed in the new EU permitting rules and in the Wind Power Package. Some of them need to improve their auction design to help improve the business case for new investments, notably by ensuring Contracts for Difference and PPAs are on offer. And they need to act urgently on grids in line with the EU’s Grids Action Plan. Governments need to keep supporting the supply chain and logistics, including ports.

The expansion of renewables Europe wants ultimately rests on the electrification of energy – and shifting the three-quarters of energy that’s still largely fossil into electricity. That needs action now to support the electrification of industry, transport and the heating of buildings.

“Europe isn’t building enough new wind farms to meet its 2030 energy targets. The numbers will rise in the next 6 years but not by enough. Governments need to act urgently to apply the EU permitting rules and ensure the grids connections are ready on time. They need to help improve the business case for those looking to build new wind farms. And ensure the ports and other logistics are fit for purpose. They must also ramp up their support for the electrification of heating, transport and industry.” says Giles Dickson CEO of WindEurope.

Source: WindEurope

What does the 2024 State of the Energy Union Report show?

Photo-illustration: Unsplash (Maximalfocus)

The European Commission has published the State of the Energy Union Report for 2024, highlighting how the European Union has responded to security and energy challenges during the mandate of the current Commission.

Several key achievements from previous years were highlighted. Renewable energy sources have reached new capacity records, with the latest data showing that in the first half of 2024, half of the electricity generation in the European Union came from renewable sources. At the same time, wind energy climbed to the second-largest source of electricity, right behind nuclear energy.

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

One of the European Union’s goals was to reduce dependency on Russian gas imports. A positive trend is observed when considering that in 2021, imports amounted to 45 percent, but by June 2024, this was reduced to 18 percent. Simultaneously, imports from reliable partners such as Norway have increased. Overall, gas consumption decreased by 138 billion cubic meters between August 2022 and May 2024. Furthermore, the target of reaching 90 percent of gas storage for the winter by November 1 was achieved on August 19.

When reflecting on the energy crisis of 2022, energy prices are significantly more stable and lower compared to the peak levels during that period.

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Success was also achieved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which have dropped by 32.5 percent between 1990 and 2022, while the EU’s economy has grown by around 65 percent during the same interval.

Through the Innovation Fund, with a budget of approximately 40 billion euros by 2030, the European Union will provide support for zero-emission technologies, with a successful round of auctions for renewable hydrogen projects, as noted in the report.

Another important fund is the Social Climate Fund, which will mobilize at least 86.7 billion euros for the period 2026-2032. This fund is financed through revenues from the Emission Trading System (ETS) and co-financed by member states. Its goal is to support energy-efficient measures, such as access to affordable and energy-efficient housing, clean cooling and heating, integration of renewable energy sources, as well as zero and low-emission mobility.

Energy portal

Greenpeace: Investment in Nuclear Power Plants is Expensive

Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Greenpeace activists from eight countries, during the International Conference on Nuclear Energy for New Europe (NENE), held in Portorož, sent the message, “Nuclear fairy tale, costly reality!”

In a referendum to be held in November, Slovenian citizens will vote on the construction of NE Krško 2. One of the most important issues to be resolved before the referendum is related to the financing of this new nuclear reactor, and Greenpeace Slovenia has been loudly warning in recent months about the importance of addressing all uncertainties before the referendum.

Compared to other energy infrastructure projects, nuclear power plant projects have a very specific investment risk profile due to high initial capital requirements and long construction timelines.

According to estimates published so far, the investment in NE Krško 2, with a reactor of 1,000 MW, would cost 9.3 billion euros, while a larger 1,650 MW reactor would cost over 15 billion euros.

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The construction deadlines can extend up to 20 years, and the final price will remain officially unknown for several more years because, based on the experiences of other countries, nuclear investments always end up costing more and are typically delayed.

A review of current and projected financing models for nuclear reactors in Europe shows that the costs of nuclear power plants have been steadily rising over recent decades. One of the most striking examples is Hinkley Point C in the United Kingdom, where the initial project estimate was between 18 and 19 billion pounds, only to rise to an incredible 46 billion pounds.

Similarly, the costs of the Belene nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria were initially estimated at four billion euros, but they rose to 10-12 billion euros, leading to the project’s cancellation, according to Greenpeace.

While the costs of electricity produced by nuclear power plants continue to rise, renewable energy sources are experiencing continuous cost reductions. The cost of solar power is 60 dollars per megawatt-hour (MWh), while wind power costs 50 dollars per MWh. At the same time, nuclear energy costs have risen to 180 dollars per MWh.

The high cost of nuclear projects is not the only drawback of nuclear energy. In addition to its infrastructure being too expensive and slow to build, nuclear energy is neither renewable nor sustainable, nor is it safe. It raises more questions and problems than it solves, concluded this environmental organization.

Energetski portal

Why Did a Greek Village Emerge from the Water?

Foto ilustracija: Pixabay

Beneath the calm surface of Lake Mornos, near Athens, the remnants of the village of Kalio, submerged more than four decades ago, lay undisturbed until recently. Just as the village had almost completely faded from the memory of its former inhabitants, the remains of houses began to emerge from the water, as if resurrected, revealing the eerie reality brought on by drought.

I’m sure no one from the older generation expected to once again see the walls of their long-submerged homes, which now appear ghostly, surrounded by shells and algae, making it hard to recall memories of a happy childhood. In fact, the ruins that have resurfaced warn of a bleak future awaiting us all unless we take decisive steps to mitigate the climate crisis.

 

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Greece has been grappling with drought for years, which has immeasurable consequences for agriculture and water supply. All the salty water surrounding this popular tourist destination cannot help when the sun is scorching, and there’s no rain in sight. Winters without precipitation, combined with summer heatwaves, have lowered the water levels in many rivers and lakes, including the artificial Lake Mornos.

This lake was created 45 years ago by constructing an earthen dam on the river of the same name in central Greece. The importance of one of the largest artificial lakes in the country lies in the fact that it supplies water to the entire city of Athens, home to 40 percent of Greece’s population.

This year’s relentless heat has jeopardized the stable water supply for the Greek capital, reminding local residents along the shores of Lake Mornos of the abandoned homes and the sacrifice they had to make nearly half a century ago.

According to global media reports, some residents now fear that the drought will soon reveal the entire village, including the church located near the center of the lake.

This isn’t the first time dry summers have uncovered mysteries we’d rather not see. Two years ago, water levels in certain European rivers dropped so low that stones with unusual warnings emerged, with one inscribed with, “If you see me, weep.”

These stones are also known as “hunger stones” because, when rivers dry up to the point where the stones become visible, the consequences for agriculture—and thus hunger—are almost inevitable.

Is there an effective way to stop droughts? Although we may feel powerless when scorching summer days become relentless and lakes and rivers begin to disappear, one of the primary ways to step into a brighter future is to fight climate change.

Human activity is the main reason summers are becoming hotter, and average temperatures in countries are breaking previous records year after year. While it’s frightening, the realization that we are responsible is, in some way, reassuring because it might not be too late to atone for decades of environmental neglect.

More electric cars and renewable energy sources mean we’ll release fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and hopefully, the coming summers will be greeted with more pleasant temperatures. While I, as a journalist, admit that I was excited by the intriguing headline about the “resurrected” village, I must confess that I’d still prefer it if what’s beneath the water—stays there.

Milena Maglovski

Conference ,,ESG, a Way of Life and Doing Business’’

Photo-illustration: Freepik (freepik)

As the momentum around ESG continues to grow, so does the challenge of keeping up to date with increasing regulatory and market demands.

At the “ESG, a way of life and doing business“, we convene Serbia’s top corporate leaders and sustainability professionals to explore recent developments in the fast-moving ESG landscape. ESG is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic imperative with far reaching benefits.

ESG is not only an influential area of practice, but it impacts on all areas of corporate activity: many organizations are both failing to assess ESG risks and failing to maximize the benefits which can flow from ESG leadership.

The event will be held on September 25, 2024, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Resavska Street 13-15, Belgrade.

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WHY PARTICIPATE?

• This conference will bring together representatives of top-tier Serbian and multinational companies, financial institutions and sustainability professionals who will provide participants with an overview of the most trending ESG topics.

• The event will start with a dive into the amalgamation of sustainability, finance, and business strategy and how it reflects a growing recognition that sustainability and financial stability are not opposing goals but are fundamentally intertwined.

• Next, we will explore the key aspects and implication of the CS3D Directive, and its impact on the value and supply chains with increasing regulation setting mandatory requirements for due diligence.

• Our third discussion will focus on the extraterritorial consequences of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the pressure that key exporters of goods from jurisdictions outside the EU will face to reduce the emissions associated with their production.

• Finally, during our fourth panel, it will become evident that businesses will be required to rapidly evolve their approach to sustainability beyond greenhouse gas emissions and to consider how the changing operating environment (including weather patterns, biodiversity, access to water and other ecosystem services) affects the continued viability of their current business models and strategies.

Registration for the event is available here.

Source: CONFINDUSTRIA SERBIA

Avala Tower – a More Energy-Efficient City Symbol

Photo: JP Emisiona tehnika i veze

Avala Tower is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable Belgrade landmarks. Its observation deck provides a spectacular view stretching from Šumadija to the Vršac Tower, and thanks to its telecommunications equipment, it broadcasts television and radio signals. The Avala Tower is our most important telecommunications facility, with the highest allowed transmitter power, broadcasting three digital television channels or TV program packages, five analog radio programs using FM technology, and one digital radio program package using DAB+ technology. Very few people know that the transmitters consume about 130 kWh continuously, while the entire tower complex consumes about 200 kWh, amounting to approximately 150,000 kWh per month. Through rational use and procurement of the latest equipment, efforts are made to achieve maximum electricity savings.

Photo: JP Emisiona tehnika i veze

Procuring newer generation transmitters, which are significantly more efficient, is the first step in energy savings. For example, Avala Tower previously used older-generation TV transmitters with a 20-per cent efficiency. A few years ago, technologically advanced transmitters with a significantly higher efficiency of 42 per cent were acquired. Sava Savić, director of the Emisiona Tehnika i Veze public enterprise, explains that this has saved about 30,000 kWh monthly and reduced CO2 emissions by 12,000 kg. The same principle is applied to radio transmitters, and the replacement of older transmitters at Avala is planned soon.

“We save electricity by using air conditioning rationally and ordinary fans where possible. We have installed automation at nine transmission stations, which autonomously decides whether to turn on the air conditioning or the fan depending on the external and internal temperature. Analyzing the automation’s operation, we found that the air conditioning was on only 15 per cent of the time, while the fan operated 85 per cent of the time. We estimate that we have saved about 9,000 kWh per transmission station with the advanced automated ventilation and air conditioning system,” Savić explains. He emphasizes that reducing transmitter power during nighttime hours when viewership and listenership are very low can save much energy with minimal reduction in the service area.

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Generators and Uninterrupted Power Supply

There is a system to ensure uninterrupted power supply at every important transmission facility, including Avala Tower. The system consists of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices and diesel generators of appropriate power. In the event of a power outage from the electrical grid, the UPS takes over broadcasting without interruption. The generator’s automation detects the power outage and starts the generator. After about 15 seconds, the generator achieves stable voltage and frequency parameters, and the power supply is switched to the generator.

UPS capacities are designed to handle the full load and power the equipment for about 10 minutes, which is more than enough since the generator takes over in less than a minute. The generator capacities are designed to be loaded within 40-70 per cent of their maximum power.

“At Avala, we have the latest generation Schneider Electric UPS, with appropriate power and capacity, and three generators, each with a 400 kVA power. All UPS devices and diesel generators are modernized and connected to the monitoring system,” adds Savić.

Digital broadcasting of TV and radio programs has undoubtedly brought enormous savings in electricity consumption and frequency usage as a limited resource.

Prepared by Milica Radičević

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

How Solar & Storage Will Drive the Balkan Green Energy Transition

Photo-illustration: Pixabay (Michael_Pointner)

The Balkans region is one of Europe’s most promising areas for solar growth. Boasting excellent solar irradiation and a rapidly improving investment climate, the region is making headway in realizing its solar ambitions. The third edition of the Solarplaza Summit Balkans Solar & Storage will once again unite local and international players to discuss business strategies and explore the major challenges and opportunities of the region. 

With the region boasting around 2 to 3 GW of installed PV capacity currently, and targeting 30 GW by 2030, it’s clear there’s a lot of untapped opportunity. The region’s solar growth is driven by several factors, including the push for EU integration, advances in solar technology, and a growing desire for energy independence. To do so, the region will have to look towards more than just solar and can fast-track traditional solar market development by integrating energy storage solutions from the get-go. 

Foto: Promo

Of course, the region can not completely be seen as one uniform opportunity. Each country in the Balkans is at a different stage in its solar journey. Bulgaria, for example, has been a regional frontrunner with a significant increase in its photovoltaic capacity, while Croatia is making solid progress towards its overall renewable energy goals. North Macedonia is a fast-rising newcomer that’s rapidly building out solar capacity in the last two years. However, across the board, there are many common hurdles like complex regulations, underdeveloped grid infrastructures, and slow permitting processes that need addressing and where regional strategies come into play.

For those ready to navigate the challenges, there are ample opportunities in these markets. Recent changes to regulations are starting to make things easier, and innovative projects like agrisolar developments are showing how solar can work hand in hand with agriculture, making efficient use of land and resources. Likewise, energy storage projects can significantly enhance the business case and resilience of solar project development. Some Balkan countries are already bullish on storage, as demonstrated by the Croatian government’s EUR 500 million investment into battery system development. 

Looking ahead, the future looks bright for the renewable energy transition in the Balkans. The region is expected to see substantial growth in solar capacity, making the Solarplaza Summit Balkans Solar & Storage the perfect place to get insights, make connections, and be part of the energy transition. This event is all about bringing together people who are ready to drive forward the solar energy agenda in the Balkans, as the crowd will consist of both local and international project developers, investors, contractors, service & product providers, as well as technical, legal, and financial experts. 

So, if you’re involved in the solar and storage industries or looking to get involved, this summit in Zagreb is where you’ll want to be. It’s a chance to dive into the current state of solar and storage in the Balkans, understand the challenges and opportunities, and help shape the future of solar energy in the region.

For more information see here. Solarplaza Summit Balkans Solar & Storage – 24 October 2024 – Zagreb, Croatia.

Source: Solarplaza Summit

NASA Develops Underwater Robots for Climate Change Research (VIDEO)

Photo-illustration: Pixabay

According to predictions, by the end of the century, the melting of Antarctic ice sheets could cause sea levels to rise by a meter or more, with serious consequences for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. However, since the behavior of ice sheets in a warming climate cannot be predicted with certainty, NASA scientists are developing robots to measure how quickly climate change is melting ice sheets around Antarctica.

Known as IceNode, this project is led by NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Utilizing its experience in designing vehicles for space environments, JPL engineers have developed robots about 2.4 meters long and 25 centimeters in diameter, equipped with three-legged attachment arms.

IceNode robots are deployed from a ship at the edge of an ice sheet (or through a borehole) and use variable buoyancy (they can float but also sink) to navigate the currents formed by melting ice to scientifically significant locations deep within the cavity.

Guided by artificial intelligence, once they reach their destination, the robots attach themselves to the underside of the ice sheet, where they collect measurements over a period of a year or more. Sensors will measure how quickly warm, salty ocean water circulates to the ice and melts it, as well as how quickly colder, fresher meltwater sinks. Eventually, IceNode detaches from the structure and returns to open water, where it surfaces and transmits mission data via satellite.

“These robots are a platform that enables scientific instruments to reach the most difficult-to-access locations on Earth,” said Paul Glick, JPL robotic engineer and lead investigator for the IceNode project.

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There is still work to be done on this project, but the current efforts show promising data. IceNode underwent its first polar test in March of this year at minus 45 degrees Celsius.

“We are pleased with the progress. We hope to continue developing prototypes, return them to the Arctic for future testing under sea ice, and ultimately see an entire fleet operating beneath Antarctic ice sheets,” said Glick.a

IceNode is funded through JPL’s internal technology research and development program, as well as its Earth Science and Technology Directorate.

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