• Energy Research
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The main focus of this paper lies with the national laws of three European countries (Germany, Austria and Hungary), as well as the EU law, relating to liability for damage caused by nuclear plant. The aforesaid European countries have enacted legislation prescribing stringent rules on liability of the operators of nuclear plants, meaning that for some forms of legally recognized harm (death, injury, damage to health) the operator incurs liability, even if damage was caused by force major. This type of strict liability, whereby force major is not reason for exculpation, provided that the damage could be related to functioning of the plant, is named absolute liability. In addition, some regimes introduce presumption of causality, when it is more likely than not that damage resulted from the effects of nuclear plants (or ionizing radiation, or secondary nuclear waste materials). The author also analyzes national and European rules on prevention of nuclear and other environmental damage, which includes the creation of the registry of nuclear plants with relevant data on domestic and European operators, the mechanisms of control of the operators, the requirement of preliminary ecological analysis in the construction of new plants, etc. In addition, the author observes differences between nuclear damage in broad and in narrow sense. The former is, in principle, redressed generally, to the extent possible. The latter is commonly redressed individually, to the extent prescribed by statutes.

Biodiesel, an alternative to fossil fuels, consists of alkyl, usually methyl, esters of fatty acids (FAME). Conventionally, it is mostly obtained by homogeneous base catalyzed methanolysis of edible oils. Despite the significant advantages, the main drawbacks of this process are the high requirements in terms of the quality of the raw materials and environmentally unfavorable processes of catalyst separation and products purification. For these reasons, the researches of biodiesel synthesis are aimed at developing new processes that are economically and environmentally acceptable. In this paper processes of FAME synthesis, their advantages, disadvantages and opportunities for improving are analyzed, in order to develop processes suitable for industrial applications. The main aim was to present an overview of the researches in developing biodiesel synthesis providing a high FAME yield, which are environmentally-friendly and economically acceptable. Heterogeneously catalyzed process has most often studied, aiming at developing catalytic active, stable and cheap catalysts as well as at process improvement. The developments of enzyme and noncatalytic processes are mainly aimed at reducing production costs and increasing the FAME yield under mild reaction conditions, respectively. Generally, the perspectives of biodiesel synthesis include the use of continuous processes and suitable reactor systems.

Wild fire occurred in the summer 2007 on the Vidlic Mountain (Serbia) overspreading a huge area of meadows and forests. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of wild fire on the content of heavy metals in plants Aegopodium podagraria, Hypericum perforatum and Chelidonium majus belonging to the families Apiaceae, Hypericaceae and Papaveraceae. Also, we examined the content of heavy metals in soil samples on which the test plants grow a year after fire. As control samples was investigated by the appropriate plant material and soil from the site in the immediate vicinity that was not affected by the fire. Metal content in the soil was determined in the fractions of extractible, bioavailable and pseudo total cations. The content of all examined heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) is the biggest in pseudo total cations fractions and the lowest in bioavailable cations fractions. The exception is the land on which the plant A. Podagraria grows, because the content of copper and zinc was the largest in the fraction of extractable cations. The concentration of heavy metals in all fractions was always higher in soil samples that were exposed to the fire, except in the extractible metal cations fractions of A. podagraria and H. perforatum. Lead is characterized by the highest concentration in the soil of all three plant species. The lead content was much greater in pseudo total cations fractions. The underground parts of plants that were grown on both locations have a higher concentration of lead in relation to the above-ground portion. The content of zinc was higher in the plant samples than in samples of soil where the plants are grown. Above-ground parts of all three examined plants contain more copper than the corresponding underground parts of the plant. The underground parts of examined plants from location that were not exposed to the fire have higher levels of cadmium than plants from the localities which suffered from the fire.

Biomass can be considered strategic potential, not only because it is a renewable source of energy and it is widespread, but also because its application can provide a sufficient amount of energy to reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, resulting in a minimum negative impact on environment. This paper presents an overview of techniques for biomass burning, as well as technical and technological characteristics of plant for the production of energy from biomass in order to promote the implementation of renewable energy sources. It also presents the option and joint combustion of biomass and fossil fuels. The decisive factor in the increased use of biomass should be its low acquisition and operating costs, but the application of modern low-emission incinerator is economically viable only for large plants, because then gets maximum effect from the problem of fuel (straw and specially planted Culture (Miscanthus Sinesis)). .

Buildings are among the top of energy consumers. It is estimated that over 50% of the overall produced energy is consumed in buildings, mainly on heating and cooling. Application of air conditioning systems saw an important expansion in the past decade. These systems are used, not only for cooling but for heating, or supplemental heating, as well (as heat pumps). While there is virtually no alternative to their usage as cooling systems, heating applications should be reconsidered in a more subtle manner to maintain the principles of energy efficiency. Mass consumption of air conditioners has as an effect a significant rise in consumption of energy, mainly during the summer. Aesthetic consequences are another important problem. Since the placement of these appliances is not regulated by law, and left to the citizens they are commonly self-initiated and misaligned which undermines aesthetic values. Additional problem is placement of air conditioning systems on protected objects (religious institutions, object under protection) which undermines not only aesthetic, but historical value as well. On the other hand, many new buildings represent a positive example, since this problem is adhered from the very start of conceptual design, and these appliances are covered with adequate architectural solutions. This paper will try to cover positive and negative examples of Serbia, Montenegro, and some other Balkan and Western Europe's countries. It will also give recommendations in solving the negative energy and aesthetic consequences of these problems. Non-controlled application of air conditioning systems is becoming a health problem. Large differences between the interior and exterior temperature leads to an array of health problems registered by many medical reports. Improper maintenance of air conditioning systems could lead to bacterial propagation which could seriously damage health.