Page 54 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2019 publication

54 Spring 2019 European Energy Innovation

SLOVENIA'S ENERGY TRANSITION

Slovenia as trend-setter
of technological breakthrough
in energy transition

By Alenka Bratušek (pictured), Minister of Infrastructure, Republic of Slovenia
Our future strongly depends
on our common ability consumption, which will inevitably position and international recognition
to respond and adapt to play a very important role in the of its know-how, Slovenia has
new energy trends and overall energy transition challenges. proven to be an excellent polygon

climate change challenges. Transition Today, Slovenia already has several

to a low-carbon society is challenging recognized projects in terms of

for all stakeholders, and Slovenian smart networks, cities and local

energy sector is no exception. Our communities, and let me just name

domestic production is currently a few. The SINCRO.GRID is a smart

based on a balanced mix of energy grid investment project of European

sources (one-third hydro, one-third significance and an EU flagship

thermal, one-third nuclear), and that project in the priority thematic area

balance gives several advantages of smart grids deployment. The

that we can use to support the project is actually a virtual cross-

competitiveness of our economy. In border control center that facilitates

spite of its small size, Slovenia has new electricity generation from

achieved enviable results in the field renewable energy sources in Slovenia

of energy. The World Energy Council and Croatia and its safe and efficient

ranks Slovenia as 10th in terms of integration into the grid. Several

energy security, energy equity, and other pilot projects recognized

environmental sustainability. by the relevant EU programmes

are also being conducted, for

Slovenian electricity production example GOFLEX (grid integration

is already today one of the least of renewables) and FutureFlow

carbon-based in the EU. In 2016, 71% (TSO cooperation). All of the above

of domestic electricity production are project with a high level of

came from low-carbon sources (the domestic knowledge, which has to be

EU average is 58%). The Slovenian recognized and nurtured in the future.

electricity system is also highly Electromobility is also becoming a

integrated with the neighboring strategic focus for the increasing part

electricity systems (almost 84% of of the Slovenian economy. In the field

electricity interconnection level) and of "blockchain" technology, Slovenia

flows that pass our territory are twice has proven to be a very encouraging

the amount of energy consumed. environment for the introduction of

Consumption of gas is lower than EU new technologies, which will also

average, while on the other hand we leave a mark on developing energy

consume more oil than EU average. technologies. The “blockchain”

All this gives us a very specific technology is particularly useful in

framework for the development of the field of trade of electricity, as

smart grids infrastructure and the the share of active market

control mechanisms for the use of participants is increasing.

final energy especially in sectors

with a large share of total energy Due to its small size, geographical

www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu