[en] The Croatian energy sector is excessively dependent on oil and natural gas, and fossil fuels reserves are very modest. At the same time, unused renewable energy potentials are relatively high. Energy import is constantly increasing, and is already very much above the EU average, thus contributing to very high Croatian foreign trade deficit. Croatia has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which it will be bound to do in the framework of the accession to the EU. Therefore, this climate scenario of the Croatian Energy Sector Development Strategy is proposed. It underlines the enhancement of energy efficiency and accelerated development of renewable energies.(author)

[en] Energy needs and concerns in the construction industry are mainly focused on energy savings, characterized by research for new insulation products. Automotive industry, for example, has already overgrown this level of energy performance of their products and fuel economizing is not carried out only through new engine design but also through new aerodynamic lines of vehicles aimed at reducing air resistance. The construction product industry, which, in financial terms, is quite capable to address the issue of energy savings and which benefits from these inventions, has no possibility to interfere in the form of buildings and relations between them. This is something architects and urban planners deal with. This is the subject of this paper, with emphasis on what has been accomplished so far in this regard in the so called developed countries, in comparison with others, where the issues of energy saving are even more difficult to tackle. (author)

[en] In the framework of the National Energy Program from 1998, the MIEE program (Industrial Energy Efficiency network) has been initiated. The paper asserts that the implementation of the Program was only partial. Energy efficiency, as the most important pillar of energy supply, is described through overviews of energy intensity worldwide and in Croatia. Also, the scenario until 2030 is given. The overview of potential energy use rationalization shows that there is a long way from theoretical (scientifically corroborated) potential to its actual implementation, with obstacles to be overcome on the way to full realization. One of the most significant steps is the development of information network and establishment of energy agencies in Croatia, because Energy Can And Must Be Replaced With Information. (author)

[en] Paper dealing with the topic ^Energy consumption and economic development (in developed / wealthy and undeveloped / poor regions; energy price, social influence and energy efficiency. 'Brothers and sisters, I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.' In the early 1940s a farmer, who had just been connected to the electric grid, gave witness in a rural church in the United States of America(author)

[en] An impact is considered of different energy resources on the environment, with special reference to acid rains, NOx emission and greenhouse gases, land use, and biological diversity. Power generation and consumption ratio was compared for different sources. An overview is given of electricity sources in specific conditions of Croatia being a party to the Kyoto protocol.(author)

[en] This paper analyses the performance of the licensing procedure carried out in the Croatian energy sector. The paper presents the results of the above mentioned procedure, with distribution of frequency of applications per energy activities, as well as distribution of licenses which are issued for different energy activities determined under Article 15 of the Energy Law. It also describe certain problems that appeared during the licensing procedure, such as impossibility for natural persons to obtain a license for carrying out transport of oil derivatives (through product pipelines and other means of transport) and trading, mediation and representation in the energy market. Moreover, transport of oil, oil derivatives and bio fuel by road vehicles, bio fuel production and natural gas storage were not recognized as energy activities by the Energy Law in the past. Hence, the upgrading of regulatory framework in the field of licensing started after the new energy laws had been passed at the end of 2004.(author)

[en] This paper presents laws and regulations related to the electricity market, with emphasis on changes introduced after the package of energy laws had been adopted in 2001. The paper gives an overview of by-laws, which are about to enter into force or are in final preparation stage, creating conditions for eligible customers to change supplier and freely negotiate electricity price. The paper also presents electricity market model in Croatia as well as procedure of supplier change. (author)

[en] The sustainable development of electric power systems rely on three main drivers: the security of supply, the competitiveness and the protection of the environment. For this purpose the promotion of endogenous energy sources, mainly the renewable ones, should be underlined. Still, most of renewable energy sources raise very sensitive issues concerning the security of supply, due to its randomness and unpredictability. The wind power, currently in its fast growing development, plays a relevant role on this matter. From the demand-side perspective, there is also a lot to do regarding the promotion of more efficient use of energy as well as mechanisms that contribute to security of supply. This paper aims to present guidelines for the selection of the most adequate solutions regarding: sustainable evolution of renewable generation technologies, based on the most meritorious resources under economic and security of supply assessments; complementary energy storage systems that allow the integration of intermittent generation ensuring adequate security of supply levels; and sustainable evolution of demand, based on DSM measures selected from different available alternatives. (author)

[en] Forest biomass is organic substance raised in forest ecosystem, consisting of trees and bushes which are used for mechanical processing and thermal use. Croatia, with 44 percent of surface under forests, has the renewable energy potential in forest biomass that could cover as much as about 50 percent of the current heating consumption. The existence of an appropriate heating consume and district heating are a prerequisite for exploitation of the mentioned potential. At the same time, heating consumption enables the utilization of cogeneration plants and the paper gives examples of such possibilities in industry, community and special facilities (sport centres, hotels, hospitals etc.). Among them, the so called 'Croatian energy absurdum' is mentioned. The paper underlines the feasibility of exploitation of forest biomass at the national level and suggests that, in order to promote and accelerate the development of cogeneration plants, the HED expert group should be established. The task of the expert group would be to draft proposal for appropriate measures in this regard and submit it to the Government for consideration.(author)

[en] In the last decades, wood has been substituted by other materials in many fields of utilization (construction, furniture, energy production). In Slovenia, which is markedly wooded, the process of substituting wood as a raw material started later but has been rather intense in the last twenty years. Substitution of wood in industry and in energy production has several consequences. Among the most distinctive ones are pollution of environment because of increased utilization of fossil fuels, and low realization of cut in forests. In this article we would like to present wood biomass use in Slovenia and some actions which were taken on both micro and macro level in last few years to overcome social and economical barriers for enlarge use of wood biomass.(author)