engleski

Regional energy planning as key to more renewable energy projects in local communities

Renewable energy sources (RES) are being increasingly considered as one of the key elements of future development strategies on a national, regional and local level. This paper describes the work that has been undertaken in the Karlovačka County (western Croatia) which has considerable potentials for the utilisation of different RES. This approach is radically different to the previous ‘ top-down’ or strategic assessments as seen many times in the past and is expected to herald a new future for the local community ownership and ‘ buy-in’ to renewable energy resulting in the greater probability of individual project success providing local stakeholder sympathy is retained. The work presented represents the proposal of the Regional strategy for utilisation of renewable energy sources in the Karlovačka County area. The concept of this study represents an avant-garde research for Croatia. It includes field data from a survey which results were continued with a review of existing experience and projects utilising RES in the Karlovačka County ; review of strategic documents of the Republic of Croatia and relevant directives of the European Commission in the field of renewable energy sources utilisation ; setting the targets for RES utilisation in the Karlovačka County ; identification of possible projects ; proposal of organisational and implementation measures for the renewable energy action plan within the county. The current situation and existing experience regarding RES utilisation within the county have been used as the starting point for the setting of future targets, whilst the energy potential of each RES (small hydro, biomass, geothermal) was also determined. At the end, recommendations regarding organisational measures for the implementation of renewable energy projects have been presented, which include public and experts education, necessary planning and strategic documents, domestic and international cooperation and the setting up of a regional energy agency as the implementing body for renewable energy projects.

renewable energy; regional strategy; local communities

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