Χωρίς κατηγορία

Following the example and innovative actions of Europe to achieve the energy transition, Greece is expanding the potential of its investments in offshore wind farms. With pioneers in the Scandinavian countries, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and also China -where the world’s largest offshore wind turbine was installed, with a capacity of 16 MW-, investment funds are being released for the design, construction and installation of offshore wind farms parks in Greece. The first areas selected for the implementation of this innovative project are the maritime area of ​​Alexandroupoli, Evia, the Dodecanese, and the area east of Crete. Given that Greece is a coastal country with a strong and highly developed maritime force, it can develop it further and utilize its maritime areas for the creation of projects of such scope. Despite this, the primary objective remains the preservation of the natural environment and coastal areas, which requires the preparation of a thorough and comprehensive study of the environmental effects as well as a restoration study for the damages and disturbances that the construction and installation of offshore wind farms. Greece’s plan to decarbonize and get rid of fossil fuels is summarized in the ambitious goal it has set by 2030, that is, the percentage of electricity produced from Renewable Sources to reach approximately 60%-65%.

June 15th has been established as the worldwide day for celebrating wind energy. This is an initiative of the European Wind Energy Association (Wind Europe) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). It is part of the effort to provide accurate information and raise awareness in society regarding the issues of energy and atmospheric pollution. Wind energy significantly contributes to environmental sustainability as an inexhaustible source of energy. It is technologically advanced and, in combination with other Renewable Energy Sources, lays the foundation for a sustainable future. The Hellenic Scientific Association of Wind Energy (HEL.A.W.E) as well as representatives from the political and business world in our country participate in an event celebrating Global Wind Energy Day, with the aim of highlighting the value of Renewable Energy Sources and their necessity in our daily lives.

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5th. It serves as the primary tool of the United Nations for informing, mobilizing, and raising awareness among the public about the environment worldwide. The aforementioned day was first established globally in 1974 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and aims to remind us of the urgent need for the protection and preservation of the natural environment, as well as the significant issues that concern the entire planet, such as climate change, atmospheric pollution, and the energy crisis. As part of this year’s celebration, an innovative experiential learning and entertainment activity for children is being organized, focusing on raising their awareness about critical environmental issues. It is particularly important to equip our children, the pillars of development and progress, with proper education, respect, and ethics towards nature and the environment!

According to data processed by BloombergNEF in its report “2023 Energy Transition Trends,” worldwide investments in clean energy transition, including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and new forms of energy, increased in 2022. Specifically, the report shows that investments in clean energy have significantly increased amid the energy crisis and were equal to investments in fossil fuels for the first time last year. “Clean” energy refers to energy produced from renewable, non-mineral sources that are environmentally and human-friendly. Climate change has become increasingly intense in recent years, and its negative consequences are more pronounced. Therefore, there is a need to change the way we perceive the environment and its protection, development, and progress, to turn to new technologies that allow low-cost production of alternative, green forms of energy with respect for the measure and harmonious coexistence of humans and the environment. We now have the technology and knowledge to build a world that is more resilient and safer for all of us.

Reaching a record of 3,106 MWh, it managed to fully meet the electricity demand in Greece for a few hours during the first week of February. Specifically, renewable energy sources accounted for 100% of electricity production for at least 5 hours on Friday 10/02. The contribution of renewable energy from solar, wind and hydropower rose to 46%, up from 42% in the same period in 2021, according to Greece-based environmental think tank Green Tank. Based on the country’s plan, the aim is that by 2030, green energy will account for at least 70% of the energy mix.

In recent years, more and more countries have been using renewable energy sources. By 2030, Portugal, Denmark and Austria aim to generate electricity only from renewable energy sources, while Greece aims to reach 80% in the same year. At the same time, in the context of environmental protection, the European Union and the United States are reducing their carbon dioxide emissions, while China and India, on the other hand, emit the highest percentage of pollutants in the world. As a result of emissions from human activity , climate change is coming. The consequences of climate change are global warming, melting of ice and rising sea levels. Nevertheless, there are still countries or even people who believe that climate change does not exist and is not a real and substantial problem. With regard to energy sources, it is worth mentioning that Greece’s primary energy source is oil, but most countries in the European Union also use fossil fuels.

A new forecast shows that the year when the world will exceed the 1.5°C global warming cap set by international governments for the first time is fast approaching. According to scientists led by the UK Met Office, there is a 50% chance that the limit will be exceeded in one of the next five years. As recently as 2015, the probability of this happening in the following five years was zero. But the probability has risen to 20% in 2020 and 40% in 2021. The average global temperature in 2021 was 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. It is also virtually sure – 93% – that 2026 will be a year the warmest ever recorded, surpassing 2016 when a natural El Niño climate event drove up temperatures. It is also confident that average temperatures will be higher in the next five years than in the past five years as the climate crisis intensifies. Natural climate cycles can drive global temperatures up or down. But the Paris Agreement requires nations to address the underlying. The annual forecast uses the best forecasting systems from climate centers worldwide to produce practical information for decision-makers. The prophecy found that in 2022, northern Europe, the Sahel, northeastern Brazil, and Australia are expected to receive more rain than the average of the past 30 years, while drier-than-normal conditions are predicted for southwestern Europe and southwestern North America. Prof. Taalas also warned that warming at the North Pole is remarkably rapid: “Warming in the Arctic is disproportionate, and what happens in the Arctic affects us all.” Shrinking sea ice and its effects have been linked to extreme weather events in Europe, North America, and Asia, including heat waves, floods, and even snowstorms. In summary The effect of what humans do now significantly impact our planet, as read above in the article. So, it is essential to start the change and develop a better world for future generations. That is what we strive for at Next energy to create and establish green projects that will significantly impact future generations.

Los Angeles could become the largest city to ban the construction of new gas stations. In doing so, it joins a movement to restrict fossil fuels locally as part of efforts to combat the climate crisis. Officials in America’s second-largest city, Bethlehem, New York, and the regional district of Comox Valley, British Columbia, said Wednesday morning that they are working on measures to stop the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure. “We are ending oil drilling in Los Angeles. We are switching to all-electric new construction. And we are building on a transportation system that does not use fossil fuels,” said Paul Koretz, the council member from L.A. who is working on the policy. “Our great and influential city, which grew up with the automobile, is the perfect place to figure out how to move away from gasoline-powered cars.” L.A.’s evolving policy is a significant step for the car-dependent city, which has been ranked as one of the worst cities for U.S. commuters. Andy Shrader, a staffer in Koretz’s office, said the council member hopes to have the measure on the floor by the end of the year. If successful, Los Angeles would be the largest city to adopt such a measure. LA We were inspired by the proposal from the city of Petaluma, California, which last year became the first city in the world to ban new gas stations. The Bay Area City Council voted unanimously in favor of the measure, citing Petaluma’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. In summary As read in the article above, municipalities and governments try to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. These results increase the production of green energy to sustain our world and our daily commute. This allows our company to create more of these green projects and shows us that what we do significantly impacts society.