1. A multi-level approach to circular economy progress : linking national targets with corporate implementationJan Drofenik, Tine Seljak, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: An integrated top-down methodology for assessing and promoting progress towards a circular economy at macro (national) and micro (company) levels is presented. It is based on the MICRON (MIcroCirculaR ecOnomy iNdex) framework developed by Baratsas et al. (2022) for companies. In this paper, it has been extended to enable a consistent assessment for companies and countries. The methodology facilitates the analysis of key categories: energy, emissions, water, materials, and waste. A quantitative analysis of circularity, including a sensitivity analysis, is conducted at the macro level, identifying critical areas and the most influential factors for the circular economy. Based on this analysis, existing national strategies are evaluated, and implementation plans with specific measures are developed. This is followed by micro-level implementation, which involves techno-economic assessment of circular projects. Using this methodology, coordinated improvements in circularity are achieved at all levels. The methodology was tested in Slovenia, where the national circularity index revealed stable performance over five years, averaging slightly above 50 points out of 100. Analysis identified significant improvement potential in areas such as energy and emissions, aligning with the country's focus on decarbonization and energy efficiency in its climate strategies. At the company level, circularity assessments highlighted critical challenges in renewable energy use and overall energy efficiency. The proposed measures showed potential for significantly improving circularity and reducing emissions, while the results provided valuable insights into the economic feasibility of these transitions. Ključne besede: circular economy, integrated assessment framework, micro level, energy transition, renewable energy Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.02.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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2. The international energy security risk index in sustainable energy and economy transition decision making - a reliability analysisIztok Podbregar, Goran Šimić, Mirjana Radovanović, Sanja Filipović, Damjan Maletič, Polona Šprajc, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The world economy and society are in a complex process of transition characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. Therefore, further development and management of the transition will largely depend on the quality of the decisions made and, accordingly, on the decision-making process itself. The main goal of this study is to analyze the reliability of International Energy Security Risk Index as a tool to support the process of energy and economy transition decision making, as closely related and highly interdependent phenomena. The index is composed of 29 aggregated variables (grouped into eight categories), and the research is conducted on a research sample of 25 countries over a period of 36 years. The reliability assessment is performed by using Multiple Regression Analysis. Multicollinearity test, plus Multicollinearity test with Variance Inflation Factors, is used for methodological verification. The test results indicate a high degree of unreliability of the Index, as is concluded based on the observed errors in its methodological settings. These errors primarily relate to a high degree of multicollinearity in all 29 variables, whereby independent variables lose their independence and thus jeopardize reliability of the total Index. Out of the eight groups of variables, the fuel imports group is the only one that does not show big methodological errors. The paper presents a recommendation for the improvement of the observed Index (review of the role of individual variables found to be particularly methodologically indicative), as well as a recommendation for different distribution of weighting coefficients. Ključne besede: energy and economy transition, decision making, international energy security risk index, multiple regression analysis, multicollinearity test, multicollinearity test with variance inflation factors Objavljeno v DKUM: 04.02.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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3. Decision-making in sustainable energy transition in Southeastern Europe : probabilistic network-based modelNena Hribar, Goran Šimić, Simonida Vukadinović, Polona Šprajc, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: Sustainable energy transition of a country is complex and long-term process, which requires decision-making in all stages and at all levels, including a large number of different factors, with different causality. The main objective of this paper is the development of a probabilistic model for decision-making in sustainable energy transition in developing countries of SE Europe. The model will be developed according to the specificities of the countries for which it is intended—SE Europe. These are countries where energy transition is slower and more difficult due to many factors: high degree of uncertainty, low transparency, corruption, investment problems, insufficiently reliable data, lower level of economic development, high level of corruption and untrained human resources. All these factors are making decision-making more challenging and demanding.
Methods: Research was done by using content analysis, artificial intelligence methods, software development method and testing. The model was developed by using MSBNx—Microsoft Research’s Bayesian Network Authoring and Evaluation Tool.
Results: Due to the large number of insufficiently clear, but interdependent factors, the model is developed on the principle of probabilistic (Bayesian) networks of factors of interest. The paper presents the first model for supporting decision-making in the field of energy sustainability for the region of Southeastern Europe, which is based on the application of Bayesian Networks.
Conclusion: Testing of the developed model showed certain characteristics, discussed in paper. The application of developed model will make it possible to predict the short-term and long-term consequences that may occur during energy transition by varying these factors. Recommendations are given for further development of the model, based on Bayesian networks. Ključne besede: sustainable energy transition, SE Europe, decision-making, Bayesian networks Objavljeno v DKUM: 19.08.2024; Ogledov: 88; Prenosov: 12
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4. 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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5. Impacts of zero-emission powertrains based on hydrogen technologies in public transportNiko Natek, Boštjan Krajnc, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This article reviews the development potentials and environmental impact of introducing category M3 vehicles (for passenger transport/buses) with fuel cell electric powertrains to an urban and inter-urban public transport service (PTS) to be operated in the Savinjsko-Šaleška region. The main focus is the demonstration of the PTS modelling and preliminary environmental impact assessment of the operation compared to conventional (modern) diesel-powered internal combustion engines. Ključne besede: Hydrogen, Fuel Cell, Transport, Energy efficiency, Green-house gas emissions, Energy transition, Environment, Public transport service, Internal combustion Engine, CO2 Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.11.2023; Ogledov: 415; Prenosov: 6
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6. Practicality of base load renewable generation in IndiaKarthik Subramanya Bhat, Udo Bachhiesl, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Opis: India, among several other countries globally, now faces a unique situation where managing the energy transition process without hurting the economic development becomes the highlight of its policies. The Indian power sector is highly carbon intensive, with coal based power providing 70% of the total electricity generated. Renewable energy occupies around 15% of the capacity mix. Energy access along with several other
challenges, pose an obstacle to the needed transition to clean energy. As the seasonal load variations in India are not prominent, cheap coal based power supplies most of the load profile,while gas power plants are used for peak loads. The myth that renewable energy sources cannot meet baseload demand has become widely accepted and wide-spread, given their fluctuating nature. Several studies demonstrate an optimistic transition to 100% renewable sources might just be possible in the coming decades. In a carbon-rich power sector like India, the ‘base load’ mind set is a pretty big and powerful hurdle, as ensuring base load generation becomes a major issue with implications directly affecting the country’s economy. In this study, an effort has been made to discuss whether base load renewable generation in India is feasible, and the challenges involved. Ključne besede: India, base load, renewable generation, energy transition, carbon intensive Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.10.2017; Ogledov: 1281; Prenosov: 316
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