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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Energy management, sustainable management, energy security, aggregate index, composite indicator
Published in DKUM: 10.04.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 26
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Abstract: External wall thermal insulation is one of the most effective solutions on the market to increase energy efficiency in the built environment. Off-Site Construction (OSC), through better control of the various parameters involved, can bring important advantages, such as the reduction of construction time, the improvement of product and process quality, etc. In the last years, the rapidly growing demand for thermal insulation systems, stimulated also by tax incentives, has generated a unique situation in Italy compared to the rest of Europe, also leading to a considerable fragmentation of the supply chain with several players involved (component and system manufacturers, distributors, and installers). The complexity of such context makes Italy an extremely challenging and insightful case study for a supply chain and sustainability study, also considering the fact that the energy efficiency of the Italian building stock represents a crucial challenge to achieve the country's energy saving goals since 40% of final energy consumption derives from buildings and 75% of the building stock presents a low energy performance (energy labels E, F and G). This article presents both an analysis of the Italian market of manufacturers of building envelope thermal insulation solutions, highlighting the different players in the supply chain in terms of number, type, and marketed products and solutions, and a focus on sustainable and recycled materials. The study also aims to define a methodology to investigate the state of play and opportunities for industrialisation of this market and its bottlenecks. In the article, a questionnaire is proposed to collect information and opinions on the spread of OSC and the perception of companies and professionals regarding the advantages and disadvantages of industrializing the sector. A first validation of the survey is presented in the form of industrial focus groups.
Keywords: supply chain sustainability, industrial energy efficiency, off-site construction, construction industrialisation, sustainable building materials, modular buildings
Published in DKUM: 01.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 395
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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: sustainable energy transition, small hydropower plants, environmental awareness, modelling, decision making process, Western Balkans
Published in DKUM: 28.06.2024; Views: 420; Downloads: 5
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Abstract: Environmental protection and sustainable development have become an inevitable trend in many areas, including the energy industry. The development of energy supply networks is strongly correlated with the economics of energy sources as well as ecological and socio-political issues. However, the energy supply network is often distant from the social perspective. This paper therefore combines examination of perceptions and awareness of general public (web-based questionnaire) and top energy experts (a Delphi survey) on the energy supply network and identifies their potential integration in energy supply decision making processes. The results showed that public should be better informed as well as integrated into designing energy supply network as the prosumers gain power and the energy suppliers will no longer dominate the market. Public actors are ready to shape sustainable energy supply and also willing to pay 5.8% more for a sustainable energy supply. The majority are prepared to invest in renewable energy supply network close to their place of residence. Another result is that the public is calling for a shift in priority towards more sustainable and socially friendlier energy supply rather than focusing mainly on the economic and technical perspectives.
Keywords: energy supply, supply networks, sustainable energy, public perception, social integration, supply chain management
Published in DKUM: 19.02.2024; Views: 306; Downloads: 30
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Abstract: Authorities in Slovenia and other EU member states are confronted with problems of city transportation. Fossil-fuel-based transport poses two chief problems—local and global pollution, and dwindling supplies and ever-increasing costs. An elegant solution is to gradually replace the present automobile fleet with electric vehicles (EVs). This article explores the economics and practical viability of the provision of solar electricity for the charging of EVs by installation of economical available Photovoltaic modules. A steep decline in the module, inverter and installation costs is reported herein. Present estimates indicate that for the prevailing solar climate of Celje—a medium-sized Slovenian town—the cost would be only 2 euros and 11 cents per kWh of generated solar electricity.
Keywords: electric vehicles, energy sustainability, Slovenia, solar photovoltaic, sustainable transport, urban transportation
Published in DKUM: 21.07.2017; Views: 1667; Downloads: 594
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