Answers to the questions about the challenges faced by the field of energy and power production, which includes biomass, biogas, but also waste, and how to overcome them were offered by the Seminar on the Possibilities of  Renewable Energy Sources Application Biomass & Biogas 2024.

Among other things, innovative projects for the production of pellets from forest and agricultural biomass and the application of sludge for the production of miscanthus, which is then used as biomass, were presented. The state of biogas application in Europe and its economic aspects are shown, as well as the situation in Croatia with energy utilization of waste. There was also talks about solutions from the IT field for the application of biomass and biogas and about the possibilities of virtual power plants.

In addition, a round table was held on the topic of current issues of biomass and biogas application and the operation of energy plants that use them.

An interesting development project of local communities related to the application of biomass, solutions of complete units for the application of biogas and permanently burning fireplace stoves were also presented. It was also shown how Croatian manufacturers of biomass boilers and stoves can rely on the services of domestic universities when it comes to the development and testing of new products and an interesting project for the decarbonization of agriculture in Europe. Finally, it was pointed out the extreme importance of the flue gas systems whenever biomass, biogas or waste is burned.

Spring has arrived, which for many means that usual spring fatigue. Therefore, a few days of the holidays will surely come in handy. In addition to being a time of family gathering and socializing, it is also an opportunity to find time to, as much as possible, rest and relax.

For the 23rd time in a row, the Forum on Gas (that was held on 21 March this year in Zagreb) has shown that gas as an energy source is still not to surrender. The process of energy transition, i.e. the transition to a completely decarbonized energy system and such a society and economy, requires time, and gas will here play a major role in the coming decades. Namely, it is a reliable and flexible energy source whose importance cannot be ignored. The same applies to the entire gas industry and gas professionals, for which there will be a need for years to come. Finally, today's gas technology is an excellent basis for the gas technology of the future, which will most likely be based on hydrogen and biogas.

Accordingly, gas infrastructure development projects continue, such as the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Omišalj, new gas pipelines, and the interconnection with neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, we should not forget 'small' projects that increase gas consumption for other purposes, for which the compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station for vehicles in Slavonski Brod is an excellent example.
At the same time, gas consumption in Croatia has been stabilized after several 'turbulent' years, especially when it comes to the so-called to customers on the transport system. This also applies to prices, which are expected to be even lower in the coming period.

When it comes to the professions that make up the gas chain, at the Forum there were again engineering presentations on the topic of gas application, and an attempt was made to provide answers to some questions from the everyday practice of gas servicemen, gas fitters and chimney sweepers. In addition to all that, it should also be mentioned that this year's Forum started with a protest by 'activists' who oppose to the use of gas (but also to any other solution of modern energy and economy and even to common sense, but that's another story...).

In the specials on the portal www.energetika-net.com in March you can read:

• what advices for doing business on the gas market gives Mario Matković, executive director of MET Croatia Energy Trade

• about the new conference called Renewable South that ENERGETIKA MARKETING is preparing in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina

• about solutions for small bathrooms offered by TECE

• about a new record in the use of robots in the world

• on the issue of fees for usage of roads that should be paid by operators of gas distribution, power distribution and transmission systems

• a comment on the topic of the abundance of various incentives and supports in the 'super-election' year.

The first issue of tje EGE Magazine in this year has just arrived from the printing house and is immediately available on-line.

The main theme of this magazine issue is today quite unpopular and that is gas. However, there is no doubt that the gas, despite the fact that its consumption in Croatia falls steadily from year to year, will remain one of the main energy sources for many years.

On the other hand, when it comes to the future, the implementation of new technologies, digitalization, automation and robotization, it is certainly bright, as it was confirmed by the recently held conference just under the name of a Bright Future.

Challenges brought by the energy transition, news from the field of renewable sources, experiences with the implementation of solar energy in Slovenia, interesting things in the field of electromobility, thermotechnology and environmental protection - are just some of the topics of a new issue of the magazine.