Page 55 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2019 publication
P. 55
Spring 2019 European Energy Innovation 55
SLOVENIA'S ENERGY TRANSITION
for various development projects in Our ambition in the field of renewable a comprehensive system for the
the field of smart grids, efficient use energy and energy efficiency targets renovation of public buildings in
and renewable energy sources. Our by 2030 is yet to be determined accordance with the requirements of
internationalization is actually being in the ongoing process of National 3% of the necessary renovations of
transformed by new energy platforms Energy and Climate Plan adoption, public buildings each year. However,
and business models, all dictated by due by the end of 2019. Efficient use it is fair to say, that while the heat
the ongoing digital transformation. of energy will remain one of the key sector is already contributing
Today, Slovenian companies offer priorities for Slovenia, as there are significantly to the energy transition
true innovation opportunities – in many unused opportunities in this goals, the transport sector remains a
particular in the areas of processes, area, especially in the field of energy challenge, a true potential yet to be
semi-products and final products. renovation of buildings and energy properly addressed.
According to the innovation index, efficiency in industrial use. In the
Slovenia is classified as a group of field of building renovation, Slovenia Another challenge that will need
countries of the so-called strong wants to reduce energy consumption to be addressed at the EU level
"innovators" and is just below the by 60% by 2025 compared to 2015. is the compatibility of spatial and
EU average. Slovenia has therefore established environmental protection policies
with our energy and climate goals.
Spatial planning of further use of
renewable energy, especially in the
field of electricity production, in
areas that are protected by the EU
environmental laws, has proven to be
very challenging in Slovenia. It might
be time to find a European answer to
this challenge.
At the end, let me offer some
thoughts as an active policy-
maker. We do not only live in the
time of energy transition into a
low-carbon society but also in
time of exponential growth of new
technologies and innovations. In
the future we can expect greater
and faster changes in different
technological areas as digitisation,
nanotechnologies, … A large part
of the community accepts these
changes almost unconscious. Many
people are unaware that we are some
sort of pioneers at the beginning
of a technological revolution. This
revolution will fundamentally change
the way we live, work and relate to
each other.
The greatest challenge for us, policy-
makers, will be how to recognize
on time the magnitude, scale and
complexity of the energy transition
trends already in the making, in
order to make proper regulation and
decision-making for innovative and
transformative approach to be used
by the companies and consumers
alike. l
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