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EU Energy Policy
European Union carried out a number of regulatory actions on renewable energy sources, which have been prioritised as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective source energy supply. The promotion of a liberalised energy market and the ratification of the COP21 Paris and COP22 Marrakech laid the foundations for a common European policy that identifies the actions to be taken to build an energy system in line with environmental protection and consistent with sustainable development.
The Climate and Energy Framework 2030 sets three main objectives to be achieved by 2030:
a reduction of at least 40% of greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels);
a share of at least 27% renewable energy;
an improvement of at least 27% of energy efficiency.
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The framework was adopted by EU leaders in October 2014 and is based on the Climate and Energy 2020 package.
EU Climate and Energy Package gives binding legal value in relation to the objectives of reducing gaseous pollutants and energy consumption from fossil fuels and increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources well beyond the goal of 30%. In addition, the EU places renewable energies at the heart of all efforts to ensure sustainable, safe and competitive energy for the Community. Road Map identifies the path to a low-carbon competitive economy in 2050. A path that can lead to the 80% greenhouse gas reduction in a cost-effective way, indicating national and international policies and strategies for long-term investments.
Distributed generation & the Shared Grid Concept
As a response to the European Energy Efficiency objective, we have been questioning how to implement it in the field of electricity transmission and distribution. The identified solution is the Shared Grid.
Distributed Generation is understood as a system of small/medium-sized power generation plants - electrical, thermal and refrigeration - close to final consumption points and interconnected by an "active" and "intelligent" electrical grid, called smart grid, able to manage and regulate the multiplicity of electrical flows that travel in a discontinuous and bidirectional way.
This new paradigm promotes the opening up of the energy market by identifying new subjects as the producer-consumer. The system skeleton should allow any connected device - home users, small and medium sized businesses, large companies - to either power-up the network or receive power from the network in a flexible way. This connection architecture, which might be compared to the functionality as the internet has, allows an increase of the estimated efficiency between 40% and 70% as far as the transmission and distribution of electricity is concerned.
The strategic value of Distributed Generation is to promote the full exploitation of local energy resources and the creation of an energy system based on efficiency, flexibility and reliability.
Photovoltaic system
In identifying a suitable energy source for the Zaprešić urban area capable of implementing the Shared Grid system, electricity produced from renewable sources such as biomass and solar photovoltaic is selected as the optimal solution.
Solar photovoltaic systems are based on the "photovoltaic module", a device that allows converting solar energy into electricity by using the properties of some materials such as silicon to produce electricity if irradiated by sunlight.
Solar network photovoltaic systems have the peculiarity to work in interchange with the local power supply network. In practice, in the hours of light, the user consumes the electrical energy produced by his plant, while when light is insufficient or if the user requires more energy than the plant is able to provide, it will be the power grid that will ensure the supply of the electricity needed.
Location
Position: 18 km north-west of Zagreb
City area: 52,60 km2
Metropolitan area: 251,25 km2
Demographic data
City: 25.223 inhabitants
Density: 480/km2
Urban area of 19,644 inhabitants.
Most densely populated area of the Zagreb municipality with 1.000 habitants per km2.
Biomass
In the context of the "Zaprešić Project" project, the use of energy from biomass processing is envisaged following the logic of environmental sustainability and complying with EU Directives (2016/2284) on polluting atmospheric emissions. Such technology would guarantee having a stable source of base load electricity that would help cover the consumption of households, production facilities and commercial activities (such as the large Westgate Shopping Centre).
Biomass will be acquired by the valorisation of raw materials from sustainable cultivation and from secondary raw materials of the industrial sector. Non-oxidising technologies (Pyrolysis and Biogas) are to be favoured and only specific technologies with very low environmental impact will be considered.
Close-up
Objectives
With the "Zaprešić Shared Grid Project" Croatia has a real chance to promote the new energy model that allows the transition in line with the European Carbon Free strategy, making Zaprešić the strategic project for an environmentally friendly and intelligent energy development.
In particular, the project envisages:
Making the municipality of Zaprešić energetically independent;
Increasing the energy efficiency of renewable sources through the development of the Shared Grid;
Increasing energy production from renewable sources;
Promoting the transfer of knowledge and innovation in the energy sector by implementing research
projects;
Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems;
Contributing to the fight against climate change;
Encouraging social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development.
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Project modules
Photovoltaic islands
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Smart city projects to improve quality of life and drive growth; creative cities; knowledge economy
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Smartness and creativity as boosters of growth in cities
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Mapping of smart cities in the world and their key programs
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Smart city projects to improve quality of life and drive growth; creative cities; knowledge economy
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Smartness and creativity as boosters of growth in cities
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Mapping of smart cities in the world and their key programs
Biomass power plant
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Smart city projects to improve quality of life and drive growth; creative cities; knowledge economy
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Smartness and creativity as boosters of growth in cities
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Mapping of smart cities in the world and their key programs
Shared grid
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Smart city projects to improve quality of life and drive growth; creative cities; knowledge economy
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Smartness and creativity as boosters of growth in cities
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Mapping of smart cities in the world and their key programs
Accumulation system
Research & development (R&D)
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Smart city projects to improve quality of life and drive growth; creative cities; knowledge economy
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Smartness and creativity as boosters of growth in cities
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Mapping of smart cities in the world and their key programs
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