We've reached number three this year. Just before leaving for the well-deserved annual, all our subscribers will receive the latest copy of the professional magazine EGE. Although it's summer and the heat is unbearable, we didn't take the topic of the issue to cooling equipment, the topic of the new issue is renewable energy sources.
We decided to dedicate ourselves to hydrogen as a possible green source of energy or bring a great text about researching the applications of heat pumps that are increasingly finding their place in energy solutions in buildings.
We also spoke about RHE Velebit, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is not the only one we write about, because we also touch on the construction of new hydropower plants and wind energy.
Many other topics and professional articles can be found in the third issue, we cover news from the world of energy, economy, ecology and ethics.
Anyone who wants to subscribe can do so in a few clicks, and it is possible to subscribe exclusively to the digital version of the magazine.

After more than a year of preparation and a week of maintenance, as organizers we can be satisfied with the completed 17th conference on quantitative infrared thermography - QIRT 2024.

Experts and scientists from countries such as Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and United States of America gathered to exchange knowledge and experience and show new achievements in this field. For example, it was possible to learn more about research about the possibilities of applying IR thermography in the detection and postoperative therapy of breast cancer, as well as other diseases, and also interesting were the presentations of the application of this technique in determining damage to cars, as well as its combination with artificial intelligence. Of course, most presentations related to the application of IR thermography for determining the condition of materials and structures in mechanical, aeronautical and civil engineering and construction.

In any case, more than a hundred participants from all over the world returned with new knowledge and experiences, as well as beautiful memories from Zagreb and Croatia.

The Croatian Seminar on Pressure Equipment continued to be the central gathering place for experts in pressure equipment, which, due to the danger to people, the environment and material goods, is considered an extremely sensitive and demanding area. Proof of this is the two hundred participants at the 21st Croatian Seminar on Pressure Equipment that was held in Zagreb on 23 May 2024.

In the past 20 years of seminars, efforts have been made to fulfill the set goals and to organize the area of pressure equipment in Croatia in accordance with the adopted European documents and in the way it is organized in the developed countries of the European Union. However, like any technical field, pressure equipment also experiences constant changes, which is a consequence of development and the recognition of the need for constant updates to existing laws and regulations.

However, the realization of some of the set goals has not even started yet, or certain problems are emerging, which particularly relates to training for inspectors and for contractors preparing the inspection of the fire extinguishers and breathing and diving tanks. In addition, there is also a problem that has been plaguing the Croatian economy for some time, and that is finding suitable employees. Namely, as was warned at the round table as part of the Seminar, it can be noticed that some basic knowledge is already being lost today, which must be taken into account when plans and programs are made in schooling and education.

Progress in the implementation of renewable energy sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina is slow, but it is still there. After all, when it comes to their share in the energy mix, B&H is not doing badly at all, and already 2 GW from solar and wind power plants will enable the complete decarbonization of the energy system. In any case, B&H is well on its way to energy transition, as evidenced by the fact that the installed capacity of PV plants has doubled in just one year. The biggest role in all of this is played by Herzegovina, the southernmost part of B&H, so it is not surprising that the conference that discussed the issue of renewable sources and their future is called Renewable South.

The decision to hold an expert meeting dedicated to renewable sources and energy transition in B&H proved to be a complete success. This is confirmed by the statements and praises of numerous participants of the conference, which was held on 15 and 16 May in Ljubuški. It was also a successful connection of representatives of state bodies and institutions, local authorities, the scientific community and the economy with the aim of discussing problems, but also opportunities in the field of energy which, thanks in part to the recent opening of negotiations with the European Union, await the neighboring country.

Answers to the questions about the challenges faced by the field of energy and power production, which includes biomass, biogas, but also waste, and how to overcome them were offered by the Seminar on the Possibilities of  Renewable Energy Sources Application Biomass & Biogas 2024.

Among other things, innovative projects for the production of pellets from forest and agricultural biomass and the application of sludge for the production of miscanthus, which is then used as biomass, were presented. The state of biogas application in Europe and its economic aspects are shown, as well as the situation in Croatia with energy utilization of waste. There was also talks about solutions from the IT field for the application of biomass and biogas and about the possibilities of virtual power plants.

In addition, a round table was held on the topic of current issues of biomass and biogas application and the operation of energy plants that use them.

An interesting development project of local communities related to the application of biomass, solutions of complete units for the application of biogas and permanently burning fireplace stoves were also presented. It was also shown how Croatian manufacturers of biomass boilers and stoves can rely on the services of domestic universities when it comes to the development and testing of new products and an interesting project for the decarbonization of agriculture in Europe. Finally, it was pointed out the extreme importance of the flue gas systems whenever biomass, biogas or waste is burned.