engleski

The Role of Indigenous Energy Carriers in the Sustainable Development of Croatia

Aggregated final energy demand in the Adriatic region, particularly the specific demand for preparing hot water in individual sectors like industry, tourism, residential and commercial sector and agriculture has been assessed. Determinants of energy demand and supply planning in the specific technical and political frame in the transitional economy in Croatia are discussed. Seasonal and daily load characteristics of the thermal- and electric energy consumption in the Adriatic macro-region are analyzed. Optimal mix of energy carriers (fossil and renewable) covering thermal and electric demand in the Adriatic region is proposed. It is shown that adequate mix of energy sources in the region, particularly of those to be used for thermal applications, could be modified in favor of other energy carriers like LPG, LNG, hydropower, solar and wind energy, which are more appropriate for the sustainable development of the wide Mediterranean and Adriatic region. Based on the low energy consumption and seasonal/daily load characteristics, latest by the year 2050, it could be expected that renewables, at least for a number of Adriatic islands, could by nearly 100% substitute the present use of fossil sources, supplying electricity and thermal energy. Based on the cost analysis and comparison with conventional fossil technologies at local conditions, solar and wind energy for about hundred of Adriatic islands (with rural characteristics) are quite competitive options today. Typical internal rate of return for such projects are of the order of 20%. Croatia is therefore looking for institutional, industrial and commercial cooperation with partners in developed industrialized countries, which possibly could find their long-term commercial interest for the investments in sustainable energy solutions in the region. “Hrvoje Požar” Energy Institute, which carries on all national energy programs, could successfully bridge over all initial interface difficulties in meeting of the Croatian and International undertaking in the Adriatic region.

Sustainable development; renewable energies; solar energy; wind energy; energy demand; macroeconomic benefits; microeconomic evaluation; life-cycle cost method; net benefits method; internal rate of return.

nije evidentirano