The global transition to a green economy remains an essential objective in the fight against climate change and environmental conservation, and it is the central theme of the SEEnergy 2024 event. Together with globally renowned specialists, we will evaluate Southeast European nations’ progress in the green transition domain over the course of three days, methodically look at the obstacles they face, and spark dialogue about potential solutions.

Implementing responsible strategies to achieve low-carbon goals is a crucial step towards building a sustainable society for the future. That’s why the green transformation opens up new opportunities that reveal previously unexplored potential and benefits. Many of these opportunities represent new business opportunities that will help shape society and set standards for the future economy.

By utilising new approaches and technologies, we can transcend far beyond mere economic considerations and frameworks. While creating employment opportunities and fostering innovation, the transition towards sustainability significantly enhances environmental integrity, uplifts overall quality of life, promotes the development of eco-friendly infrastructure, facilitates systematic resource management, and bolsters societal well-being.

For a successful sustainable development strategy, it’s crucial to fully understand the current trends in the path of green transformation and sustainability. These new trends are:

1. Digitalization in the energy sector

The Slovenian Energy Agency has adopted the Methodology Act for calculating network charges for electricity operators, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024. The new tariff system aims to relieve the network during peak loads and is crucial for an efficient green transition and a reliable supply of electricity. How to reduce network costs is a question that many business and industrial consumers are asking. Answers will be provided on the first day of the SEEnergy Fair, where numerous speakers will unveil effective new solutions and insights.

2. Solarization

Last year, Slovenia exceeded 1 GW of installed solar power plants and was one of the leading countries in the European Union in terms of installed solar capacity per capita. The »solar boom« is currently being driven mainly by economic entities and individuals who are installing solar power plants on the roofs of individual residential homes and their.

To ensure that the green transition is efficient, fair, and inclusive in the future, instead of promoting individual self-sufficiency, we will need to harness the potential of energy communities, which will install solar power plants for community self-sufficiency on the roofs of schools, larger libraries, fire stations, village halls, and other larger public buildings in particular.

3. Wind energy

The European Commission aims to achieve at least a 42.5 percent share of electricity production from renewable sources by 2030. With this plan, wind energy plays a significant role as the European Commission seeks to expedite permit issuance and facilitate easier access to its financing. In Slovenia, the Law on the Introduction of Devices for Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources (ZUNPEOVE) was adopted in August 2023, bringing innovations in the field of wind farms. According to this law, the construction of wind farms is permitted in non-protective forests.

At the SEEnergy Fair on May 15, there will also be discussions about new incentives for local communities where wind turbines will be installed. An ordinance has been adopted to provide municipalities with a one-time compensation of two hundred thousand euros per megawatt (MW) of installed capacity for the installation of wind turbines.

A programme of the pivotal 2024 3-day SEEnergy event will showcase the latest trends in the field of sustainability:

• The role of digital solutions in the modern transmission power network, Uroš Kerin, PhD, Assistant Director, ELES d.o.o.Topic, Speaker
• Hydrogen as a technology for achieving European climate and energy goals, prof. dr. Blaž Likozar, Head of the Department of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry Slovenia
• Innovative technologies of carbon separation and further synthesis, Prof. Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec, Scientific Associate, National Institute of Chemistry
• Nuclear energy, GEN energija, Westinghouse

Click here to find out more about the full programme.

4. Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is essential for the energy transition because it ensures fairness in the whole process. The January resolution of the European Parliament on geothermal energy emphasises the need for systematic support for the geothermal sector, including mapping of geothermal resources, targeted training of installers and designers, and the development of a common strategy.

The spatial distribution of various ground-source heat pump technologies in Slovenia is related to various natural factors (geology, hydrogeology, climate). At the SEEnergy Fair, among other activities, the latest statistical data on the utilisation of shallow geothermal energy in Slovenia until 2022 will be presented.

The process of dimensioning groundwater heat pumps is well established, but due to the high density of these systems, there is an increasing need to simulate their thermal and hydraulic influence, which we will present using the study area in the municipality of Murska Sobota. The process of dimensioning ground-coupled heat pumps is not yet well established in Slovenia.

5. Capture and preparation of CO2

The green transition in the economy is underway. It manifests in the form of transitioning to circular economy practices, electrification of production, and carbon capture. These processes, by phasing out fossil fuels, will increase electricity consumption in industry by at least twice, which the INECP (Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan) must consider from multiple perspectives.

At the SEEnergy fair, a comprehensive session will cover CO2 capture and preparation, which will be particularly interesting for companies managing facilities with permits for greenhouse gas emissions as well as for others where CO2 emissions occur in production processes.

6. Hydrogen

Hydrogen is one of the most important elements for a successful green transition. Electricity from wind and solar farms can be stored in the form of liquid hydrogen. At the SEEnergy 2024 fair, there will be a discussion about hydrogen as an environmentally friendly energy carrier. Renowned speakers will address its potential contribution to achieving European climate and energy goals.

Global commitment is poised towards advancing the transition to a green economy, cultivating opportunities for societal and economic expansion, and championing environmental preservation. Consequently, sustainability emerges as the principal imperative for the future and serves as the central focus of the forthcoming SEEnergy 2024 event.

For further information about SEEnergy 2024, click here.