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Description
The project "Bilateral cooperation to increased production of energy from renewable sources – BC RES" deals with the construction of an integrated photovoltaic power plant on the roofs of the factory for the production of decorative aluminum, PVC and HPL panels for entrance doors. In addition to the construction of an integrated PV power plant, the project foresees the study visit of relevant experts to Norway to ensure the successful implementation of the project and the promotion of renewable energy sources. Also, the project envisions the arrival of relevant Norwegian experts in Croatia for the purpose of promoting renewable energy sources with an emphasis on solar energy, as well as three workshops on the subject. All project activities aim at reducing harmful CO2 emissions as well as stability of energy supply. The biggest problem of energy production from renewable energy sources in the Republic of Croatia is the structure of this production. Too little energy is produced using solar and geothermal energy. The project aims to contribute to the solution of this problem by installing an integrated photovoltaic power plant on the rooftops of the applicant''s factory, which will provide the production of 1,089 MWh per year. Two bilateral visits (one in Norway, one in Croatia) will be organized within the project in cooperation with the Norwegian partner, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of applicant to manage the renewable energy sources and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. General objective of the project is: Energy with lower carbon emissions and increased security of supply. Specific objective of the project is: Increased production from renewable energy sources and their promotion and improved bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Norway through the construction of a solar power plant in Vinkovci.
Summary of project results
The project "Bilateral cooperation to increase energy production from renewable sources - BC RES" dealt with the issue of energy production from renewable energy sources in the Republic of Croatia and the structure of that production, for percentage of energy produced using solar and geothermal energy is very low. The project contributed to the solution by installing an integrated photovoltaic power plant with a projected production of 1,089 MWh per year on the roofs of the factory owned by Project Promoter. Since the main goal of the "Energy and Climate Change" Programme is to increase the use of energy technologies with lower carbon emissions and increase the security of energy supply in the Republic of Croatia, the goals of the Programme have also been achieved with the project.
Along with the construction of the power plant, the project achieved bilateral cooperation between the Project Promoter and the project partner, via study trip to Norway and the arrival of the Norwegian partners in Croatia, with the aim of exchanging knowledge, information and experience in the field of RES.
The project also addressed the issues of promotion of renewable energy sources. On this topic, 3 workshops were held where it was discussed in which ways renewable energy sources can be used, what are the advantages of their use and about their availability in Croatia.
The general goal of the project was energy with lower carbon emissions and increased security of supply, and the specific goal that has been fully achieved is increased production from renewable energy sources and their promotion, and improved bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Norway through the construction of a solar power plant in Vinkovci.
The project carried out the following activities:
• Construction of a solar power plant. Pursuant to the regulations for the National Public Investment Fund, the procurement procedure was published in accordance with the prepared technical specifications, and on 12 September 2022. contract with equipment supplier, the Solar Panel System company was signed. The works were completed on time and the power plant was put into permanent operation, after which on 30 November 2023. on the basis of the final test report in the trial operation, a certificate for permanent operation was issued, which fulfilled all the conditions for permanent operation with the distribution network under the conditions defined in the contract on the use of the network.
• Information and communication. On 21 February 2023. the Kick off conference of the project was held, where the project, its goals and results were presented to the general public, and the use of renewable energy sources was especially emphasized. The information from the introductory conference was combined in a press release that was delivered to the media. Information about the project was published on Vinkovac Television, Croatian Radio Television and Glas Slavonia. An info leaflet with all important information about the project was designed and printed. During the duration of the project, promotion was carried out via the Internet. In the period from 17 to 20 October 2022. members of the project team carried out the activity of a study trip to Norway. As part of the study trip, members of the Croatian project team met with the Norwegian project team (Polar Energi AS), and the main topic was cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources. On Monday, 25 March 2024, Tuesday 26. March 2024 and Wednesday 27 March 2024 3 workshops for the promotion of renewable energy sources were held in which the use of solar energy and other renewable sources was promoted. On 18 April 2024. the final conference of the project was held in which the Norwegian partners participated. As part of the conference, the results of the implemented project were presented to the general public. The information was published in local media and on internet portals.All relevant information related to the project is published on the applicant''s website.
• Project management. By implementing project management activities, the capacity of the applicant to implement similar projects in the future has been strengthened. As part of the project, external experts were engaged for the implementation of procurement procedures and project management.
The following project results were achieved through the implementation of the project activities:
Immediate result 2.1 - Installed capacities for the use of energy from renewable sources. Through the implementation of the project a new system was installed for the production of electricity from of solar energy by construction of solar power plant with a capacity of 877.88 kWp at the address Zalužje 15, 32100 Vinkovci for the Project Promoters own consumption, the company Grad-Export d.o.o. The photovoltaic power plant is connected to the power grid of HEP through its own/existing facility installation according to the conditions of HEP ODS and electricity approval (EES) and the issued Certificate of compliance of the main project.The solar module system is installed on the roof of the existing production halls. By using the photoelectric effect, the conversion of solar radiation into DC electricity was achieved. Since the power of the power plant is determined according to the maximum power that the power plant can provide at the output, the power of the installed power plant is 792 kW. Also, a system for remote monitoring, visualization and management of the operation of the power plant was installed. By installing a system for remote monitoring of the power plant, monitoring of all vital parameters of the power plant was achieved, as well as timely notification of possible problems and malfunctions. A smart meter for monitoring the production and consumption of electricity is also installed. This system monitors consumption using set target values, thus indicating anomalies in the system in real time. The realization of this project had the greatest impact on the company Grad-Export d.o.o. In the future, the company will be more competitive and more resistant to possible future crises. Also, company can now use most of the energy it uses in production from its own sources. The company''s employees will also benefit from the achievement of this result because they will earn their income in a safe and stable environment, and since the savings in business will enable the monitoring and development of new technologies in the future, the company''s employees will have the opportunity to improve their knowledge and gain new experience by working on the most modern technology. Furthermore, everyone interested in installing similar solar systems in their plants will also benefit from the achievement of this result, as the Project Promoter can provide them with useful information about the procedure for installing solar systems, from the very beginning, which includes designing to the final realization, i.e. until the power plant is put into permanent operation.
Immediate result 2.2 - Strengthened capacities for management and promotion of renewable energy sources. The implementation of the project strengthened the capacities for management and promotion of energy from renewable sources of the Project Promoter, the company Grda-Export d.o.o. because as part of the project, a study trip to Norway was realized, followed by the arrival of Norwegian experts in Croatia. In this way, knowledge and experience in the field of renewable energy sources were exchanged with Norwegian partners, and connections were strengthened for potential cooperation in the future. The transfer of knowledge in the implementation of projects related to solar energy and the construction of solar power plants was ensured, which included assistance in the preparation of technical specifications for public procurement, technical advice on installation and maintenance, familiarization with the regulatory framework in Norway and examples of good practice. As part of the project, 3 workshops were held for the promotion of renewable energy sources, where the use of solar energy and other renewable sources was promoted. By implementing this activity, the applicant''s employees strengthened their capacities in terms of acquiring new knowledge in the field of renewable energy sources and capacities for organizing similar events in the future. Furthermore, by implementing the project, the Project Promoters employees strengthened their capacity to implement similar projects in the future, because through cooperation with external experts for the implementation of procurement and project management procedures, they themselves acquired knowledge in this area.