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Abstract Energy for society is an important element globally. Policy discussions in relation to climate change, suggest a transition from fossil-carbon-based systems to those based primarily upon renewable sources. The authors of this paper focused on a technical approach that can help to make that transition, namely pilot photovoltaic net metering installation for a business-residential entity in Slovenia, including its environmental perspectives. Results of the pilot photovoltaic net metering system installation revealed that the most cost effective solution is a photovoltaic installation with peak power of 6 kW, producing excess energy during the daytime. This has demonstrated that, with a proper planning, an optimum balance between energy production and consumption can be reached, and achieving a minimum price per kWh of the system. Regarding the environmental performance of the system, the results indicated that the most significant environmental impacts during its life cycle are related to global warming followed by human toxicity and terrestrial eco-toxicity. Photovoltaic net metering represents an option for producing and consuming cleaner energy, compared to conventional generation and usage, lowering the total price of the electrical energy (including fees and taxes) in comparison with the market purchases. This case study suggested that employing photovoltaic net metering in Slovenia is a reasonable option from the financial and environmental points of view, especially in the event of future increases of electricity price. Highlights • A new technical solution for PV net metering and its environmental performance. • PV net metering is an option of cleaner energy production and consumption. • Developed solution could be further utilized by the smart communities and cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The selection of building envelope components has a high impact on all the lifecycle phases of a building, from the environmental and energy perspectives, and plays a significant role in the design of sustainable buildings. This paper presents an environmental impact comparison of four different building structural systems widely used in the construction of energy efficient houses in Central Europe: reinforced concrete, brick, cross-laminated timber, and timber-frame panel construction. The basic properties of wall and roof components were determined according to the thermal transmittance equivalent, where their environmental performance using a lifecycle approach was assessed. The study reveals the environmental impacts of individual structural systems and alternative thermal insulation materials, as well as their impact share on environmental performance of building envelopes. Based on the comparison of selected components, this study demonstrates that there is a significant potential for improving the environmental potential of low-rise buildings, by selecting suitable components and materials, sustaining the energy performance of the building. The comparison of envelope components draws attention to the critical materials, representing guidelines for the optimization of environmental impacts of building envelope components for sustainable low-rise buildings, especially considering the design phase. Highlights • Envelope component assessment for 4 structural systems and alternative thermal insulations. • Timber structural systems have the best overall environmental performance. • Insulation has higher impact strength in walls with lower U-values and TF structural systems. • In regard to GWP the construction materials impact strength is higher in most wall components. • Study offers range of options in optimization of building envelopes with low U-values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the Climate and Energy Directive, the European Commission has set three main targets: reduction of GHG emissions, increase a share of renewable resources, and improvements in energy efficiency. This paper introduces needs and solutions for capacity building in cross-border regions of Slovenia-Croatia-Hungary in order to better implement energy efficiency and renewable resources potentials. It was identified that a lack of knowledge by the stakeholders represents a main obstacle for implementing more environmental and economic acceptable energy solutions on a local and regional levels. To address the competences gaps by the stakeholders, online training modules were designed and implemented. The results of trainings revealed the best evaluation scores, and consequently improved knowledge and competencies in Hungary, followed by Croatia and Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas have a considerable impact on the environment. Among the sectors contributing to the environmental impacts is plastic product usage, resulting in urban plastic waste accumulation. There exists a need to determine and evaluate plastic flows and their environmental impacts in urban areas. Our research comprehended the modelling of the eight most commonly used plastic polymers in a system of a European city with 10^5 inhabitants for the year 2020. A scenario analysis was conducted, considering the European Union's policy of achieving a 65 % recycling rate by 2035. Plastic production contributes to most environmental impacts during the life cycle, where polyurethane, polystyrene and other plastic types are at the forefront. The results per waste management options revealed that recycling is still preferable for plastic waste, followed by incineration and landfill. Recycling potential was further noted during the scenario analysis, where an increased recycling fraction following the EU's policy could decrease the environmental impacts of global warming by a margin of 20 %–45 % and fossil resource scarcity by a margin of 20 %–52 % per individual plastic polymer. While the established model indicates potential benefits, improved data collecting, and further research are needed to improve the model and establish a plastic nexus within urban areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]