Diversify alternatives to fossil fuels, not contrast them

The European Commission has given countries the freedom to choose how to achieve significant emission reductions in the transport sector. The efforts of various industries to pull the blanket towards them can be seen, but it would be more strategic to diversify the sector, keeping in mind the goal of low-emission transport.

Read the full interview here: https://www.db.lv/zinas/diversificet-alternativas-fosilajai-degvielai-nevis-tas-pretnostatit-505422

Participation in the International Scientific Conference ICAE2021

The International Scientific Conference ICAE2021-13th International Conference on Applied Energy is taking place online from November 29 to December 5. Today, on December 30, researcher Kārlis Mendziņš will present the research topic “EXTERNAL COSTS OF PASSENGER CARS IN LATVIA”, and sen. researcher Aiga Barisa on the topic “RENEWABLE TRANSPORT CHALLENGE: A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ASSESSMENT MODEL”. More information about the conference here: https://applied-energy.org/icae2021/#Programm

Transport will inevitably be more expensive

Associate Professor Aiga Barisa of Riga Technical University in an interview with Rūta Kesnere.

The European Green Deal envisages significant changes in the transport sector. How much pollutant is transport, how much carbon dioxide does it emit? How important are the reforms in this sector?

Read the full interview here: https://www.dienas.lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/neizbegami-transports-bus-dargaks-14271409?fbclid=IwAR1zZDa_OEmWkialiVE8Qx0g-n86P3ivtsV6ApfuA2HO5vVJqMI

Online webinar – discussion “The challenge of transport decarbonisation. Where are we in Latvia and where are we going?”

Within the framework of the projects of the National Research Program, the sixth webinar of this season will take place on November 9 at 14:00, where we will discuss current events in the transport sector in the context of climate change mitigation.

In total, 7 webinars in the period from October 5 to November 16 on the ZOOM platform are planned within the framework of the National Research Program projects.

The transport sector is the second-largest consumer of energy and a source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Latvia. The European Green Deal has set a target of achieving a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from transport by 2050. So far, the greatest progress has been made in zero-emission mobility, but is electric transport the only solution? Meanwhile, modern biofuels not only offer a fast solution for the replacement of fossil fuels but also promote the use of local resources and the development of the bioeconomy. In the webinar, we will talk about all three directions of technological development and their role in future transport in Latvia.

Please apply by 8.11.2021 by filling in the REGISTRATION FORM available HERE. Before the seminar, you will be sent a link to participate in the ZOOM platform (online).

Participation in the seminar is free of charge.

PROGRAM

PRESENTATIONS:

Climate goals and the role of the transport sector. Latvian perspectives
Associate Professor Aiga Barisa, Riga Technical University

Do renewable gases (especially biomethane) have long-term potential and why?
Researcher Alīna Safronova, Riga Technical University

Readiness of biofuel production technologies for decarbonisation of the transport sector
Senior researcher Vladmirs Kirsanovs, Riga Technical University

A new perspective on zero-emission mobility. External costs of road transport
Research Assistant, Head of Eleport Latvija Kārlis Mendziņš, Riga Technical University

Participation in CONECT 2021

Last week, on May 12-14, we participated in the international scientific conference Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies CONECT 2021. The lead researcher Aiga Barisa spoke on the results of the study “Incorporating user behaviour into system dynamics modelling: a case study of private vs. public transport in Latvia”.

Practical webinar – workshop “100% renewable sources local governments in Zemgale”

On April 21, the practical webinar-workshop “100% renewable sources local governments in Zemgale” will take place. It is organised by the Riga Technical University Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, in cooperation with the Zemgale Regional Energy Agency and the Zemgale Planning Region.

In the Zemgale Planning Region, the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the total energy balance is increasing every year, but is it possible to switch the whole region to 100% carbon-neutral energy generation and transport sector? Can we reduce the role of fossil energy sources and remove barriers to the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources? Researchers from the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment will present the results of system dynamics modelling on the potential of RES in the Zemgale Planning Region, as well as will invite participants to participate in the development of RES strategies for specific local governments in order to determine all the arguments why fossil energy source is still used in the Zemgale Region and Latvia.

Please apply by 20.04.2021 by filling out the REGISTRATION FORM shown below. Before the seminar, you will be sent a link for remote participate on the ZOOM platform (online).

Participation in the seminar is free of charge.

PROGRAMME

Register HERE.

Online webinar – discussion “Sustainable and renewable transport energy in Latvia. Opportunities and challenges”

The third seminar of the NRP cycle of webinars on sustainable and renewable transport energy in Latvia is already here. 

The use of renewable energy sources in the transport sector is growing slowly. In 2019, only 4 countries of the European Union reached the 10% renewable energy share target. Latvia: 3.98% in 2010; 5.11% in 2019. How is the policy made in Scandinavian countries, where 20-30% of transport energy is generated from renewable energy sources and what policy instruments will help Latvia? We will discuss this in the webinar “Sustainable and renewable transport energy in Latvia. Opportunities and challenges”, which will be held on March 30 from 14:00 to 16:00 on the Zoom platform.

The registration form is available HERE. A link to the Zoom platform will be sent to the specified e-mail after registration.

PROGRAMME

Practical webinar – workshop “100% renewable sources local governments in Latgale”

On March 12, the practical webinar-workshop “100% renewable sources local governments in Latgale” will take place. It is organised by the Riga Technical University Institute of Energy Systems and Environment.

In the Latgale Planning Region, the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the total energy balance is increasing every year, but is it possible to switch the whole region to 100% carbon-neutral energy generation and transport sector? Can we reduce the role of fossil energy sources and remove barriers to the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources? Researchers from the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment will present the results of system dynamics modelling on the potential of RES in the Latgale Planning Region, as well as will invite participants to participate in the development of RES strategies for specific local governments in order to determine all the arguments why fossil energy source is still used in the Latgale Region and Latvia.

Please apply by 11.03.2021 by filling out the REGISTRATION FORM shown below. Before the seminar, you will be sent a link for remote participate on the ZOOM platform (online).

Participation in the seminar is free of charge.

PROGRAMME

Register HERE.

Biogas or electromobility – which RES technology will make it possible to reach the set targets for transport in 2030?

On 8 December 2020, the online seminar “Biogas or electromobility – which RES technology will make it possible to reach the set targets for transport in 2030?” was held. Speakers were the project manager and lead researcher Vladimirs Kirsanovs, professor Dagnija Blumberga, Member of the Board of the Latvian Biogas Association Mārtiņš Pelšs, professor Jeļena Pubule, Member of the Board of Uzladets.lv Kārlis Mendziņš. At the seminar, attention was paid to the discussion, which technology has the biggest potential in Latvia for reaching the targets set for transport in 2030. There was an active debate between industry specialists, local government, public administration employees, representatives of energy supply companies, fuel retailers, members of the association, etc. At the end of the seminar, participants answered very persuasively to the question, which RES technology would allow for achieving the targets set for transport in 2030, by saying that it would certainly be biogas, along with electromobility.

The presentation can be found HERE.

RTUCON 2020

This year, from November 5 to 6, the international scientific conference RTUCON (International scientific conference Power and Electrical Engineering) was held. The project performer A.Safronova spoke at the panel session with a report on vehicle cost analysis.

V. Kirsanovs, A. Barisa and A. Safronova “Cost-benefit assessment of electric vehicle vs internal combustion engine in Latvia”.