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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.

Spring has arrived, which for many means that usual spring fatigue. Therefore, a few days of the holidays will surely come in handy. In addition to being a time of family gathering and socializing, it is also an opportunity to find time to, as much as possible, rest and relax.

For the 23rd time in a row, the Forum on Gas (that was held on 21 March this year in Zagreb) has shown that gas as an energy source is still not to surrender. The process of energy transition, i.e. the transition to a completely decarbonized energy system and such a society and economy, requires time, and gas will here play a major role in the coming decades. Namely, it is a reliable and flexible energy source whose importance cannot be ignored. The same applies to the entire gas industry and gas professionals, for which there will be a need for years to come. Finally, today's gas technology is an excellent basis for the gas technology of the future, which will most likely be based on hydrogen and biogas.

Accordingly, gas infrastructure development projects continue, such as the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Omišalj, new gas pipelines, and the interconnection with neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, we should not forget 'small' projects that increase gas consumption for other purposes, for which the compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station for vehicles in Slavonski Brod is an excellent example.
At the same time, gas consumption in Croatia has been stabilized after several 'turbulent' years, especially when it comes to the so-called to customers on the transport system. This also applies to prices, which are expected to be even lower in the coming period.

When it comes to the professions that make up the gas chain, at the Forum there were again engineering presentations on the topic of gas application, and an attempt was made to provide answers to some questions from the everyday practice of gas servicemen, gas fitters and chimney sweepers. In addition to all that, it should also be mentioned that this year's Forum started with a protest by 'activists' who oppose to the use of gas (but also to any other solution of modern energy and economy and even to common sense, but that's another story...).

In the specials on the portal www.energetika-net.com in March you can read:

• what advices for doing business on the gas market gives Mario Matković, executive director of MET Croatia Energy Trade

• about the new conference called Renewable South that ENERGETIKA MARKETING is preparing in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina

• about solutions for small bathrooms offered by TECE

• about a new record in the use of robots in the world

• on the issue of fees for usage of roads that should be paid by operators of gas distribution, power distribution and transmission systems

• a comment on the topic of the abundance of various incentives and supports in the 'super-election' year.

The first issue of tje EGE Magazine in this year has just arrived from the printing house and is immediately available on-line.

The main theme of this magazine issue is today quite unpopular and that is gas. However, there is no doubt that the gas, despite the fact that its consumption in Croatia falls steadily from year to year, will remain one of the main energy sources for many years.

On the other hand, when it comes to the future, the implementation of new technologies, digitalization, automation and robotization, it is certainly bright, as it was confirmed by the recently held conference just under the name of a Bright Future.

Challenges brought by the energy transition, news from the field of renewable sources, experiences with the implementation of solar energy in Slovenia, interesting things in the field of electromobility, thermotechnology and environmental protection - are just some of the topics of a new issue of the magazine.

Bright Future - Conference on new technologies, robotization and automation in industry and construction, smart homes, buildings and cities was held again in order for individuals, companies, the scientific community and society to cope as best as possible with the challenges brought by the development and application of everything offered by digitization.

Several examples of good practice show how digitization, robotization and automation, artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Big Data, Internet of Things, cloud computing , augmented reality and machine learning are no longer speculative fiction, but the present.

Some of the innovative solutions presented are the creation of three-dimensional computer models of the actual site of the traffic accident with the help of an unmanned aerial vehicle and photogrammetric procedures, the use of artificial intelligence in the assessment of damage to motor vehicles, the integration of modern methods of research and mapping of the seabed, digital solutions for forecasting demand and optimizing stocks on warehouse, etc. Finally, the 'heart' of high technology in Croatia, the Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies (CRTA) at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Zagreb, was presented.