Climate change poses significant threats to islands, despite their relatively small contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. In response, islands like Krk, Cres, and Lošinj in the Republic of Croatia are taking proactive steps towards sustainability. Building upon previous analyses and plans, the next phase of their transition agenda involves implementing a series of high-quality projects. The investment concept for climate-neutral islands focuses on mobility and takes a multidisciplinary approach to integrating various technological solutions. This includes the adoption of electric vehicles and the utilization of local renewable energy sources. The concept aims to synergistically connect environmental protection, energy, and mobility considerations, taking into account spatial, legal, technical, and investment parameters, with active engagement from local stakeholders. The overarching objective of the "CLINEMI Krk-Cres-Lošinj" project is to achieve climate-neutral mobility across these islands. This entails establishing a decarbonized transport system powered by renewable energy sources, particularly photovoltaic systems, with the ultimate aim of setting an example as model islands for climate-neutral mobility.
The objective of this project is to explore the potential exploitation of geothermal water in the Karlovac geothermal field for the dual purpose of generating thermal energy for citizens connected to the existing central heating system and producing electricity for users in the city area. Collaborating with partners, namely GeotermiKA d.o.o. and Gradska toplana d.o.o. Karlovac, the City of Karlovac intends to target the city's existing central heating system and electricity production. Within the Karlovac region, a confirmed geothermal aquifer in the carbonate complex Rečica exists. The project partners have adopted a phased development approach. The first phase involves the development of initial exploration and injection geothermal wells, a thermal energy plant with a 10 MW installed capacity, and a geothermal power plant with a 2 MW installed capacity for electricity production. The second phase will include additional exploration and injection geothermal wells, along with a geothermal power plant estimated to have a 10 MW capacity.
The investment concept aims to address the challenge of reducing energy consumption, particularly in electricity and fossil fuels, while promoting investments in renewable energy sources, with a primary emphasis on solar energy and alternative fuels. By doing so, the goal is to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, diversify energy sources, and reduce dependency on unstable fossil fuel markets. To achieve these objectives, the investment concept adopts a comprehensive approach. This involves enhancing the energy efficiency of public, commercial, and residential buildings through renovation and retrofitting initiatives. Additionally, strategies are proposed to improve the efficiency of public lighting systems. The plan includes the installation of solar power infrastructure, such as rooftop solar panels on public and commercial buildings, as well as ground-based solar power plants. Efforts are also directed towards promoting the adoption of solar collectors on rooftops for heat production. Furthermore, the concept involves the development of innovative energy infrastructure and designated energy business zones to support renewable energy initiatives. Sustainable urban mobility solutions are proposed to reduce reliance on traditional transportation fuels.
The innovative transport system, in interaction with internal subsystems and connections to the wider area, will enable a paradigm shift in mobility from ownership to a sharing economy rather than mere electrification. There will be a technology showcase space in a multi-modal green hub, electric vehicles fleets as smart charging mobile storage to support RES penetration, efficient on-demand public transport complementary to sharing systems to optimise resources, park & ride services, zero-emission last mile solutions, etc. All of this will result in energy optimization, emission reduction, reducing traffic congestion and financial savings. Innovative infrastructure in private and public locations will be a focal point for the synergy between the transport and energy systems, enabling the operation of the Microgrids and Smart Grid.
The investment project focuses on local renewable energy production to reduce CO2 emissions and fossil fuel dependence in the city of Križevci. It begins with the construction of a 6.3 MW solar power plant, aiming to consume generated electricity locally. Charging stations for electric vehicles will be integrated into the power plant to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles. Additionally, nearby infrastructure will enable the production of green hydrogen from surplus electricity, serving as a future fuel for city transportation, including linear transport and an intermodal terminal. This integrated approach reduces transportation costs and benefits citizens by diverting freight traffic from the city center, decreasing noise and exhaust emissions, creating green jobs, and enhancing overall city standards.
The Town of Poreč-Parenzo and the Town of Pazin are leading the energy transition at the local level in Croatia. Their aim is to establish a decarbonized transport system, making them lighthouse cities in sustainable urban mobility. This system will rely on electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources and will include improvements to public and intercity transport services. Efforts will also focus on reducing the number of passenger cars in daily traffic and creating green corridors with bicycle and pedestrian paths. Goals include decarbonizing the vehicle fleet, constructing renewable energy sources to power vehicles, establishing vehicle charging infrastructure, and integrating vehicles as mobile batteries into the power system. Additionally, new mobility services like on-demand mobility and a multimodal vehicle sharing system will be introduced. Active participation of the private sector and the local population is crucial for achieving these goals.
The project aims to promote green transition and sustainable development, as well as achieve climate neutrality in the City of Pregrada, the City of Zabok, and the Municipality of Krapinske Toplice. By installing solar power plants on public buildings in these areas, the project seeks to significantly increase the use of renewable energy sources and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the project aims to enhance urban mobility by encouraging the use of integrated public transport and other eco-friendly transportation options, thereby reducing reliance on private cars. This approach will help diversify energy sources and improve cycling, pedestrian, and public transport infrastructure. Ultimately, the project aims to reduce energy consumption in transportation, minimize CO2 pollution, and promote the use of environmentally friendly transportation modes. The primary beneficiaries of the project will be the local population, particularly users of public transport, cyclists, pedestrians, students, and daily commuters.
The aim of the investment concept is to create a circular economy to contribute to the fight against climate change, achieve energy efficiency and improve the overall quality of life in the city. Such goals are to be pursued through investment in UHTH plant, biogas plant, hydrogen production plant, the purchase of five hydrogen buses and charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as improvements in the public lighting.
The proposed investment aims to integrate a low-temperature district heating (DH) system (4th generation) into the city of Slavonski Brod. This involves modernizing and optimizing the existing district heating infrastructure, including decarbonization efforts, transitioning public buildings from natural gas to the DH system, implementing renewable energy sources like a geothermal heat plant, and integrating a Smart grid for efficient operation and communication within the district energy networks. These measures seek to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and align with the EU's goal of achieving climate neutrality. Beyond the city administration, users of the district heating system, particularly those in public buildings, will benefit from the investment. Notably, the new district heating system provides greater stability and resilience to the local energy supply by reducing reliance on fluctuating natural gas prices and global geopolitical dynamics.
The proposed investment concept explores energy project solutions on two spatial levels, with the first one employing district heating solutions, while the second approach analyzes household-level solutions. Both strategies yield energy savings, but the optimal solution, as indicated by the results, involves implementing heat pumps and utilizing PV power on the household level. A novel approach, centered around energy communities and the ESCO model, is recommended as the business model for this solution, placing citizens at the core of the proposed EUCF Energy community-like initiative. The developed investment concept outlines the implementation of the solution, with citizens, municipalities, affiliated organizations, and the City of Velika Gorica identified as key contributors. The primary goal is to establish an energy community business model that incorporates all interested residents into a unified entity capable of leveraging public tenders for investment requirements. The objective is to enable residents to invest in this energy community-like entity, creating a chain reaction of investments and utilizing private funds for necessary projects.