Category: news

Excessive use of energy leads to combustion of large amounts of fossil fuels and increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, as well as excessive warming of the Earth. If people continue to waste energy, the consequences may be extreme. Only, the proper use of energy, will save your money, and you will not have to give up anything, but only to pay attention to energy efficiency behavior.

 

 

 

For example, kitchen appliances, as well as the activities that take place in the kitchen consume a lot of electricity.

 

Continue reading to see five tips to reduce costs and increase energy efficiency in the kitchen:

 

1. One of the smart ways to use a household appliance is that while you cook you always put the covers on the dishes, so heat will be kept longer in the bowl. On the other hand you will save up to 20 percent of the energy.

 

2. Did you know that only the fridge consumes about 25 percent of the electricity in the household? Therefore, when closing the refrigerator, make sure that the doors are firmly closed, so energy would not be unnecessarily dispersed.

 

3. If you use a heater plate for preparing food or beverages, never heat it empty. Also, be sure to turn it off 10 minutes before cooking is over, as the plate remains hot even after it is switched off.

 

4. Do not open the oven during roasting. Each time you open it, you lose at least 20 percent of the heat. The stove must also be shut down for 10 minutes before the oven is cooked – the heat of the oven is sufficient to complete the baking of the meals.

 

5. When purchasing a household appliance look for a class of energy efficiency labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, D. The devices labeled A consumes the least energy.

Scientists say that the last two decades of the 20th century have been the warmest in the past 400 years. Global warming research shows that if the annual average temperature rises by 2 degrees in the coming period there could be a large climate change. There would be a rise in levels as well as changes in the oceanic current, which would cause a big change in the ecosystem. The question of the survival of the planet for the most contributed to human negligence and carelessness. Planet Earth is our only home on which we do not take care.

 

 

What we can do is change the way of thinking. Primarily, we need to understand the importance of preserving the environment and start taking into account energy-efficient behavior. Let each day of the month be reserved for one concrete example that leads to the preservation of the environment.

 

Do not wait Monday, go today:

 

1. Use wax hams instead of plastic bags
2. Do not allow water to flow while you brush your teeth
3. If you have a baby, use cotton diapers
4. Walk to work instead of driving
5. Disconnect all electrical appliances from the electricity during the night
6. Please recycle
7. Dry the clothes on the cord instead of the dryer
8. Whenever you are able wash your clothes manually
9. Select a laundry program with the lowest water temperature
10. Save paper. Print double-sided documents
11. Replace ordinary bulbs with power bulbs
12. While cooking, always place the lid on the container
13. Turn off the light in the rooms you do not stay
14. Use electronic mail
15. Harvest the wood
16. Take your cup while buying coffee to take
17. Use rechargeable batteries
18. Use a fan instead of an air conditioner
19. When closing the refrigerator door, be sure to close them properly
20. Use the dishwasher only when it is fully charged
21. Avoid drying programs in a machine that consumes energy
22. If you wash the dishes in the sink, fill it with water and rinse under the jar
23. Do not hold the oven door open long open
24. Do not heat the oven before use
25. Tuff yourself instead of bathe in the tub
26. Use a garden watering raft or car wash
27. Replace the heat-shrinking windows
28. Replace seals on taps from which water is drained
29. Clean the back of the refrigerator from the dust, where heat is released
30. Place the fridge in a cooler place in the house

 

Although it may sound like a lesson from school textbooks, these are just a trick to how you can be energy-efficient. In addition to reduced energy, there will be a reduced electricity bill.

Like many others, our super hero Beepster knows exactly the right  time to move south. Having recently visited Mostar and Drežnica, his journey through sunny Herzegovina continued this week as he visited Čitluk and Neum.
The education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina unfortunately does not provide school students with adequate knowledge about energy-efficient behaviour. For this reason, Beepster, a super hero from another planet, comes to the rescue and incorporates learning and technology to teach children about the importance of energy efficiency.

 

 

 

During an added class, Beepster sent an important message to the students of “Fra Didak Buntić” Elementary School in Čitluk and “Cardinal Stepinac” Elementary School in Neum. He advised the students:

 

 

 

“Your planet, your only home, is in great danger. Every time someone leaves the light on during the day or leaves a charger plugged into a socket, without charging their cell phones, tablets or other devices, energy is consumed. Through energy efficient behaviour, you can save your planet!”
At the Beepster workshop, the students had the opportunity to watch an animated film about climate change, and participate in ‘BEEPomania’ an interactive quiz to test their knowledge of energy efficiency. Beepster also introduced the ‘Beepomat’, a device that simply illustrates how irrational use of energy from fossil fuels leads to global warming.

 

 

 

Beepster continues his journey to schools that have not yet been renovated to teach students about the importance of energy efficiency.

During the past period, intensive work has been done to renovate the secondary school. Existing windows have been replaced, thermal insulation has been added and LED lighting,energy sources for the central heating system, as well as water boilers have been replaced. In addition, motion sensors and daylight bulbs have been installed to contribute to energy efficiency and over all savings.

 

 
Upon completion of the project, a ceremony was held at the school. Along with students and teachers many others attended the ceremony including, Josip Martić, Minister of Physical Planning of FBiH, Mustafa Čopelj, project leader for the FBiH, Miralem Galijašević, Prime Minister of the ZDK, Mensur Sinanović, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports in the ZDK, Andrej Kajić, Minister of Finance in the ZDK, Hašim Mujanović, Mayor of the Zavidovići Municipality and Alen Skejić, Director of “Rizah Odžečkić” Gymnasium.

 
Minister Martić stated, “The work on the building has been successfully completed and improved conditions have been created for teachers and pupils alike. I am thrilled to see the number of renovated buildings growing and that many schools in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina are getting a new look. This is the third year we have been successfully implementing this project and 11 public buildings have already been renovated in the Zenica-Doboj Canton alone, with an additional five being renovated this year.” Martić also added that he is proud that through joint efforts from representatives at all levels of government, they have helped to renovate this school, and announced plans for 2018, when the Federation of BiH plans to renovate an additional 15 schools.

 

 

A total of 327,266.45 BAM was invested in the renovation of “Rizah Odžečkić” Gymnasium, while the estimated savings after the realization of the project is projected to be 44.805 BAM annually.

 

 
In the framework of the World Bank project “Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project”, 29 public facilities have been renovated so far. The amount invested has been 17 million BAM, while the total estimated savings of these facilities is estimated at 1.6 million BAM per year. During the three years of the project, numerous benefits have been achieved, through savings in energy, comfort and quality of living for more than 220,000 people, reducing CO2 emissions and opening new jobs, which shows the importance of energy efficiency in BiH.

 

Primary School “Vareš Majdan” has joined an increasing number of facilities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) that have received a new look thanks to the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

 

More favourable conditions for students and employees alike were made possible by the World Bank project “Energy Efficiency in BiH” – (BEEP), which is being implemented within the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning. A total of 572,365.00 KM was invested in the school’s renovation, while the estimated savings after the realization of the project is estimated to be at 26,444.00 KM annually.

 

Implementation of energy efficiency measures included thermal insulation of walls, roof restorations, replacement of LED lighting, as well as the renovation of the school’s gymnasium.

 

 

The activities implemented within the project will ensure a reduction in CO2 emissions resulting to the transition to cleaner energy products, reduction of air pollution in the winter months caused by improper and inefficient combustion of fuels, increasing the comfort level of the school’s facilities, and increasing awareness of energy efficiency.

 

 

 
The entire renovation was done by domestic companies, creating new job opportunities while nurturing existing ones. It showed the positive impact such projects can have on communities much like this one, said Josip Martić, Minister of Physical Planning in FBiH, adding; “Within this project, the Government of the Federation of BiH recognized the importance of investing in energy efficiency, with the Ministry alone investing more than 17 million KM. In the past two and a half years, a total of 29 public facilities throughout the Federation of BiH have been renovated, and numerous benefits have been achieved, such as energy savings, and increase in the comfort and quality of living for more than 220,000 people. So far, as a result of successful cooperation with the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK), a total of 11 public buildings, 10 schools and one hospital have been renovated, with a total investment of 3.7 million KM. We plan to renovate an additional five facilities in this canton in 2018, which we are intensively working on.”

 
Many attended the ceremony that took place upon completion of the energy efficiency project. Along with Minister Martić, attendees included Mustafa Čopelj, project leader for the FBiH, Miralem Galijašević, the Prime Minister of the ZDK, Mensur Sinanović, Minister of Education, Culture and Sports in the ZDK, Zdravko Marošević, Mayor of the Vareš Municipality, and Nehrudin Muftić, Director of “Vareš Majdan” Primary School.

Employees and students expressed their satisfaction and gratitude as they will now teach and acquire new knowledge in more enjoyable classrooms and conditions.

 

The term green jobs are related primarily to jobs that are concerned with the reduction of electricity, water and other resources, restoration of the ecological system, reduction of environmental and air pollution, and using renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind and water power.

 

However, it is best on example to show of what are green jobs, given that good practice examples are not lacking.

 

The mountainous village of Anavra, located in southeast Greece, has used employment opportunities in a green transition, reaching the zero unemployment rate, and at the same time almost doubled the number of residents from 300 to 550 people, thus improving the quality of living. It sounds unbelievable, but really these jobs are recognizable by saving energy, environmental protection, waste reduction and the like.

 

 

 

There are more than 20 million jobs in the EU that are in some way related to the environment, because it is considered to be a way to overcome environmental pollution, environmental degradation and unemployment.

 

Research has shown that one-million-dollar investment in “green jobs,” or workplaces that are environmentally acceptable, create about a hundred new jobs, which is of great importance for a country such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which the number of unemployed is extremely high, especially among the younger population, whose unemployment rate is 63%.

 

Green growth can become one of the drivers of structural change in the economy and green jobs represent potential for employment in the future. Developing this area worker will have benefit, as well as the economy itself, as new jobs will be created which will enable the reduction of unemployment.

 

From all of the above, it can be concluded that green jobs are in full development, and any country that cares about improving its economy and creating new jobs, should start working on their implementation.

Cities in Sweden and Germany will soon have the ability to ban old diesel engine hoping to improve the quality of life and start the harsh fight against pollution.

                                                                                                           

 

We are probably all familiar with the fact that exhaust gas cars are one of the largest environmental polluters. The British Eco Experts organization that deals with energy efficiency, earlier this year created a list of countries where cars most environmentally friendly. In the first place among the heaviest drivers in the EU were the Czechs, Polynesia, followed by Estonia, neighboring Croatia and Slovakia. On the other hand, the least polluting country is Sweden, which can boast of an energy system without emissions of harmful gases and the wind, nuclear and hydropower plants. Although some parts of Sweden still use oil and coal for heating in the winter, authorities hope that they will soon turn to biofuels completely.

 

 

 

 

In parallel, the Government of Sweden, earlier this year, arrived ban on the use of old diesel engine. This means that in all cities in Sweden will be created areas where the use of diesel-powered cars will be prohibited. The new law also has several regulations that include electric cars, however, there will be new zones in the cities where it is allowed to operate these vehicles alone, while diesel and petrol engines will be completely excluded from these zones.

 

Sweden is not the only country in the world that has proposed such a law. And the Leipzig Regional Administrative Court recently ruled that cities in Germany could ban diesel drivers because they are over-polluting the air.

 

And in Bosnia and Herzegovina the air is very polluted. Due to the traffic and heating of local households, there is a dense smog above the city, which is especially pronounced in the winter period. Attempts to find the right solution have so far not been successful. Sweden and Germany are an example of how by adopting adequate laws, it can affect the reduction of pollution.

Did you know that there are alternative fuels that do not produce harmful gases and substances?

 

Yes, it is a fuel in the form of gas (biogas) or in the form of liquid (bioethanol and biodiesel), which are obtained by processing various non-living plants, animals and their products (waste).

 

As waste disposal is becoming an increasing problem the solution can be found in the use of waste as a source of fuel that does not pollute the environment. In developed countries biodiesel is also obtained from agricultural, industrial, municipal and other waste.

 

Organic matter from which biofuels are produced first create biomass energy, which is then most often converted into biodiesel and ethanol. The process of transforming biomass into liquid fuels is called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis generates oil that can be used for the production of electricity by combustion of the resulting gasoline (bio hydrogen releases energy that can be converted into electricity).

 

 

 

 

According to the International Agency for Energy (IEA) data, biofuels have the potential to replace over 25% of all transport fuels, including jet fuel, by mid-century.

 

In Scandinavia, where, among other things, special attention is paid to environmental protection, these fuels are already in use. The biggest advantage is that they rapidly and completely degrade and by using renewable, natural resources for energy production, we keep the environment.

Mostar’s “Fourth primary school” joined the growing number of public facilities in the Federation of BiH which have implemented efficiency measures.

 

Completion of the implementation project called for the opening ceremony which was attended by the Prime Minister of HNK, Nevenko Herceg; Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports for the Herzegovinian Canton, Rašid Hadžović. Mustafa Čopelj, World Bank Project Manager for “Energy Efficiency in BiH” projects in Federation of BiH greeted those who attended this ceremony on behalf of Josip Martić, Minister of Physical Planning of the Federation of BiH.

 

 

 

The project has been successfully completed and more comfortable conditions for students and employees of yet another school were created. I am exceptionally proud that the joint force of the representatives of all levels of government has helped renovating this school. I will remind you that seven projects have already been completed in this Canton, and that four new facilities are currently under construction. By the end of 2018, we plan to renew three more buildings,” said Čopelj.

 

Seada Kuštrić, the Director of “Fourth Elementary School”, expressed her contentment with the fact that their school was part of this project and rewarded them with school’s certificate of appreciation for the successful implementation of the BEEP project, on behalf of all employees and pupils.

 

 

 

 

“It may come off as a saying but it is a true one: Investment in education is an investment in the future.” I hope that we, who are actively participating in the education process, along with those who are creating decisions in our Canton, will never stop creating even better conditions in our educational institutions,” said Nevenko Herceg, Prime Minister of HNK.

 

The implementation of energy efficiency measures in this school included thermal insulation of facade walls, thermal insulation of the attic, replacement of existing joinery and installation of thermostatic valves on radiators.

 

 

 

Today we are witnessing a brand new moment for this school – a new look. When we talk about energy efficiency, we are not only talking about saving energy, but about efficient usage of energy as well. Our goal was to create adequate conditions for our children and employees, in order raise education to a whole new level, ” stated  HNK’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Rašid Hadžović.

 

29 public buildings have been renovated within the World Bank project called “Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project” up until this day, with 15 more which are planned to be completed by the end of this year. The total amount of work investments is 13 million BAM, and the overall estimate of savings for these facilities is projected to be 1.6 million BAM per year.