1. Organization of efficient energy security managementBojana Vasić, 2024, doktorska disertacija Opis: The main problem this research addresses is the EU energy policy, which focuses on a critical analysis of strategic energy management in all process phases. Particular emphasis is placed on strategic control, which is a key phase of the management process. Strategic control includes evaluating the effectiveness of implementing planned measures and making decisions about necessary adjustments or changes. The purpose of the study is to assess how well EU energy management strategies are aligned with policy objectives, in particular, to ensure energy security, sustainability and economic competitiveness, and at the same time to identify areas where improvements are needed to address current challenges.
Energy management in the European Union is a crucial aspect of its energy policy, which focuses on ensuring energy security, sustainability and efficiency. Since the middle of the 20th century, organisations' increasing energy intensity has emphasized the need for a comprehensive and flexible approach. Energy management involves controlling the entire life cycle of energy - from extraction, conversion and distribution to consumption and waste disposal - in a complex environment shaped by various external factors. These challenges become even more pronounced in regions that experience frequent environmental, economic or geopolitical changes.
Designing a universal model for global energy management is difficult because of the different conditions, regulations, and energy needs worldwide. Adaptable and adaptive strategies are essential to respond to supply and demand fluctuations, integrate renewable energy sources, manage geopolitical risks and achieve sustainability goals. Therefore, energy management must evolve to respond to a dynamic global environment.
The EU prioritizes energy security but lacks a unified approach, which creates challenges in defining and measuring energy security. The absence of standardized criteria makes it difficult to strategically evaluate policies and make decisions, which could have long-term consequences for both energy and national security. Initially, energy security was focused on stable supply for economic growth, but global changes – such as rising demand, geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns – have made it more complex.
The recent years have underscored significant vulnerabilities in global energy security and the sustainability of energy systems, particularly in Europe. The dual crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges, pushing the European Union to accelerate its efforts toward more sustainable and secure energy practices. In response, the EU has diversified energy sources and strengthened energy security to reduce its dependence on politically unstable suppliers.
Given the complexity of the geopolitical situation, disrupted supply chains and the EU's clear official commitment to decarbonisation by 2050, the above should be viewed from different angles. EU energy policy (short-term and long-term) is conditioned by the action of many factors, which differ in type, intensity of action and effect (positive or negative) - but the need to analyse existing and define new methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of EU energy policy is evident. The doctoral dissertation examines the above and suggests improvements. Ključne besede: Energy management, sustainable management, energy security, aggregate index, composite indicator Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.04.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 15
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2. Small hydropower plants in Western Balkan countries : status, controversies and a proposed model for decision makingBarbara Pavlakovič Farrell, Andrea Okanovic, Bojana Vasić, Jelena Jesic, Polona Šprajc, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. As part of the aforementioned fact, the WB countries have commenced exploitation of energy from renewable sources, among which hydropower is the most important. The main objective of the study is to analyse the status of renewable energy transition in the WB region, focusing on the construction and exploitation of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), as well as a proposal for an original model for decision making in this field, based on a multidimensional decision-making space. Namely, in most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed.
Results: The results of the study show that the construction of SHPPs caused damage to environmentally protected areas, living conditions of local communities, touristic and agricultural potential. All of the foregoing matters have led to mass protests by citizens and a high degree of mistrust so that the future of SHPPs in the WB is extremely uncertain. The assessment of the acceptability of existing SHPPs through the proposed model showed that 74% of SHPPs cannot be considered acceptable from the aspect of the location where they were built, and from the aspect of the impact on the quality of life of the local population. Accordingly, this paper provides suggestions for much-needed improvements.
Conclusions: The construction of SHPPs is causing numerous controversies, opposition, and resistance. To find the right solution, and contribute to sustainable energy and economic development, it is necessary to develop a fully transparent and objective policy system in this field, and to use contemporary models for decision making with emphasis on the involvement local communities in the decision-making process. Ključne besede: sustainable energy transition, small hydropower plants, environmental awareness, modelling, decision making process, Western Balkans Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.06.2024; Ogledov: 420; Prenosov: 5
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3. Energy security of the European Union and corruption in Central Asia as the main challenges for the European sustainable energy futureBojana Vasić, Ivan Pekić, Goran Šimić, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background
The main goal of the paper is to define, analyze and assess the basic security, development and institutional challenges faced by the Central Asian countries after 2022. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, Europe faced problems in ensuring energy security, which were further complicated by its decision to stop importing natural gas from the Russian Federation. The Central Asian region is rich in energy resources, but at the same time, it is also a region of special geopolitical interest of often-conflicting parties, characterized by limited information and insufficient academic literature about development, various aspects of security, internal specificities and future challenges.
Methods
The research included qualitative and quantitative analyses carried out for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Germany. Data processing was performed based on 16 selected indicators in the fields of economy, energy, governance and climate change, for the time period 2011 to 2021. Data processing was performed using correlation and regression analysis (ANOVA).
Results
The results showed that corruption represents one of the biggest problems faced by the countries of Central Asia, with the biggest variations in the calculated Standardized Confidence level, which shows that this indicator trend, in relation to the 16 indicators used, is the least predictable. This represents a significant problem for all countries that are supplied with energy products from this region, or plan to do so. Energy security is positive only in the case of Turkmenistan. Regression analysis shows that Kazakhstan reported the best positive trend for most indicators. Data for Germany show consistent values over the observed period.
Conclusions
The main conclusions of the paper indicate that the countries of Central Asia have certain specificities when it comes to sustainable development, where energy security, corruption and government efficiency can be considered the biggest problems. The European Union must find ways and mechanisms to overcome these and many other impediments if they decide to import energy products from the aforementioned region. Ključne besede: energy security, corruption perception, governance efectiveness, Central Asia, Germany Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.04.2024; Ogledov: 257; Prenosov: 12
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