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Several unfavorable processes are taking place in the field of energy: large capacities of renewable energy sources (with variable and unpredictable availability) are being put into operation without detailed analises of its influence on electric power systems (EPS), large thermal and nuclear power plants (those who ensured the stability and reliability of EPS) are being closed, energy transmission systems are being cut off for political reasons as well as the import of some most important energy sources (natural gas, coal, oil). Those processes significantly change the role of hydropower plants in the EPS. All types of hydropower plants are becoming specialy important, especially those with water storage reservoirs and large installed capacities. Their role in regulating and ensuring the reliability of EPSs is significantly increasing. Beside the storage hydropower plants, pumped-storage hydropower plants become more important due to their possibilities to regulate the system in conditions of sudden changes of the power of wind and solar power plants,. The article discusses the processes in the world in terms of hydropower, the available hydropower potential in Serbia, as well as the real possibilities for its utilization. The most important hydropower systems remaining for construction are presented in the article. It is pointed out the necessity to clearly delineate which energy sources are really renewable and which contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas. The importance of spatial planning which should protect the spaces necessary for the construction of hydropower systems is particularly emphasized. U svetu se odigravaju nepovoljni procesi u energetici: nedovoljno prostudirano se uvode u pogon velike snage obnovljivih izvora energije čija je raspoloživost vrlo promenljiva i nepredvidiva, zatvaraju se velike termoelektrane i nuklearne elektrane koje su obezbeđivale stabilnost i pouzdanost elektroenergetskih sistema, iz političkih razloga se prekidaju transferi energije i uvoz nekih ključnih energenata (prirodni gas, ugalj, nafta). Ti procesi radikalno menjaju ulogu hidroelektrana u elektroenergetskim sistemima. Sve vrste hidroelektana dobijaju na posebnom značaju, a posebno akumulacione hidroelektrane velikih instalisanih snaga. Značajno se povećava njihova uloga u regulaciji i obezbeđivanju pouzdanosti elektroenergetskih sistema. Zbog regulacije sistema u uslovima nagle promenljivosti snaga elektrana koje koriste vetar i Sunce, pored akumulacionih hidroelektrana velikih snaga, veliki značaj dobijaju i reverzibilne, pumpno akumulacione hidroelektrane. U članku se razmatraju procesi u svetu na planu hidroenergetike, raspoloživi hidroenergetski potencijali Srbije, kao i realne mogućnosti za njihovu realizaciju. Prikazuju se ključni hidroenergetski sistemi koji su preostali za izgradnju. Ukazuje se na neophodnost da se metodološki jasno razgraniči koji energetski izvori spadaju zaista u klasu obnovljivih izvora energije, i koji zaista doprinose smanjenju emisije gasova staklene bašte. Posebno se naglašava značaj da se prostornim planovina svih nivoa definišu i obezbede od devastacije i zauzeća prostori koji su neophodni za realizaciju hidroenergestkih sistema.

Several unfavorable processes are taking place in the field of energy: large capacities of renewable energy sources (with variable and unpredictable availability) are being put into operation without detailed analises of its influence on electric power systems (EPS), large thermal and nuclear power plants (those who ensured the stability and reliability of EPS) are being closed, energy transmission systems are being cut off for political reasons as well as the import of some most important energy sources (natural gas, coal, oil). Those processes significantly change the role of hydropower plants in the EPS. All types of hydropower plants are becoming specialy important, especially those with water storage reservoirs and large installed capacities. Their role in regulating and ensuring the reliability of EPSs is significantly increasing. Beside the storage hydropower plants, pumped-storage hydropower plants become more important due to their possibilities to regulate the system in conditions of sudden changes of the power of wind and solar power plants,. The article discusses the processes in the world in terms of hydropower, the available hydropower potential in Serbia, as well as the real possibilities for its utilization. The most important hydropower systems remaining for construction are presented in the article. It is pointed out the necessity to clearly delineate which energy sources are really renewable and which contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas. The importance of spatial planning which should protect the spaces necessary for the construction of hydropower systems is particularly emphasized. U svetu se odigravaju nepovoljni procesi u energetici: nedovoljno prostudirano se uvode u pogon velike snage obnovljivih izvora energije čija je raspoloživost vrlo promenljiva i nepredvidiva, zatvaraju se velike termoelektrane i nuklearne elektrane koje su obezbeđivale stabilnost i pouzdanost elektroenergetskih sistema, iz političkih razloga se prekidaju transferi energije i uvoz nekih ključnih energenata (prirodni gas, ugalj, nafta). Ti procesi radikalno menjaju ulogu hidroelektrana u elektroenergetskim sistemima. Sve vrste hidroelektana dobijaju na posebnom značaju, a posebno akumulacione hidroelektrane velikih instalisanih snaga. Značajno se povećava njihova uloga u regulaciji i obezbeđivanju pouzdanosti elektroenergetskih sistema. Zbog regulacije sistema u uslovima nagle promenljivosti snaga elektrana koje koriste vetar i Sunce, pored akumulacionih hidroelektrana velikih snaga, veliki značaj dobijaju i reverzibilne, pumpno akumulacione hidroelektrane. U članku se razmatraju procesi u svetu na planu hidroenergetike, raspoloživi hidroenergetski potencijali Srbije, kao i realne mogućnosti za njihovu realizaciju. Prikazuju se ključni hidroenergetski sistemi koji su preostali za izgradnju. Ukazuje se na neophodnost da se metodološki jasno razgraniči koji energetski izvori spadaju zaista u klasu obnovljivih izvora energije, i koji zaista doprinose smanjenju emisije gasova staklene bašte. Posebno se naglašava značaj da se prostornim planovina svih nivoa definišu i obezbede od devastacije i zauzeća prostori koji su neophodni za realizaciju hidroenergestkih sistema.

Although the issue of energy security is highly positioned on the scale of priorities of each country, for now there is no commonly accepted definition of energy security. The definitions of energy security can be divided into two groups. The first group consists of definitions that are focused on short-term approach where the focus is on energy supply. The second group is characterized by longterm approach, this type of definitions take a broader aspects of energy security as well as economic indicators and environmental indicators. Although there are a number of definitions and different approaches to energy security, the interest for methodology of calculation of energy security is not so large. Existing methods for quantitative expression level of energy security, in most cases are based on short-term approach, while methods based on the wider concept are mostly the composite indices that include a large number of individual indicators. In this way enable a more comprehensive approach, but practically speaking there are limits to measure because the big problem is the availability of data.

Although the issue of energy security is highly positioned on the scale of priorities of each country, for now there is no commonly accepted definition of energy security. The definitions of energy security can be divided into two groups. The first group consists of definitions that are focused on short-term approach where the focus is on energy supply. The second group is characterized by longterm approach, this type of definitions take a broader aspects of energy security as well as economic indicators and environmental indicators. Although there are a number of definitions and different approaches to energy security, the interest for methodology of calculation of energy security is not so large. Existing methods for quantitative expression level of energy security, in most cases are based on short-term approach, while methods based on the wider concept are mostly the composite indices that include a large number of individual indicators. In this way enable a more comprehensive approach, but practically speaking there are limits to measure because the big problem is the availability of data.

The results obtained during the recycling of spent nickel based catalysts that generate in the oil hydrogenation process are presented. Nickel based catalysts are used for selective hydrogenation of the highly active plants oils. The used catalysts are classified in the H11 category of hazardous materials; they are deposited on the site and are potentially dangerous to the environment. Laboratory experimental research defined optimal conditions (temperature, time and solid-liquid ratio) and technological process of catalysts recycling. Hazardous waste is being converted to the category of non-hazardous, and extracted nickel as nickel-sulphate represents commercial product. The degree of recovery of nickel is higher than 95%.

The results obtained during the recycling of spent nickel based catalysts that generate in the oil hydrogenation process are presented. Nickel based catalysts are used for selective hydrogenation of the highly active plants oils. The used catalysts are classified in the H11 category of hazardous materials; they are deposited on the site and are potentially dangerous to the environment. Laboratory experimental research defined optimal conditions (temperature, time and solid-liquid ratio) and technological process of catalysts recycling. Hazardous waste is being converted to the category of non-hazardous, and extracted nickel as nickel-sulphate represents commercial product. The degree of recovery of nickel is higher than 95%.

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.

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.

Previous energy strategies for Serbia had various goals in terms of renewable energy sources with the quantification of type of power plants by type, but the national energy planning did not go to the level of determining specific locations for power plants, namely photovoltaic. This caused difficulties for the responsible ministry and public companies to decide which power plants will be connected and which not. Additionally, due to a drop in investment costs, connection requests dramatically increased. In the beginning of 2023 applications for the construction of power plants totaling 14 GW in capacity were under review at public transmission company which further caused delays and stagnation in the construction of these power plants. At the same time, electricity prices for households and industries had increased by 18 and 27% respectively. During the year 2022, only 6 MW of new power plants were realized even with granting the monthly net-metering to the industry and households, which is far below the possible and realistic dynamic of Serbia's energy transition implementation. It was announced in early 2023, with the changes in legislative towards implementing the auctions principles, that the first permits will be issued for the construction of large photovoltaic power plants on land to progress towards meeting an overall capacity goal of 2-3 GW. To guide in selecting sites that will help meet this goal, we mapped 100 suitable photovoltaic power plant locations prioritized not only by energy yield, but also to prevent possible conflicts with other activities (i.e., agriculture, protected areas and cultural heritage). The mapping was carried out using available energy yield data, and geographically specific data of importance for the construction of larger photovoltaic power plants up to 10 MW in size. The 100 locations were selected as best among a much larger number of possible ones. These 100 sites occupy less than 25 km2 of land and would be enough to cover about 5% of household consumption in Serbia. Dosadašnje energetske strategije Srbije su imale različite ciljeve u pogledu obnovljivih izvora energije sa kvantifikacijom pojedinih tipova elektrana, ali nacionalno energetsko planiranje nije išlo do nivoa određivanja konkretnih lokacija, posebno za fotonaponske elektrane. Ovo je izazvalo poteškoće nadležnom ministarstvu i javnim preduzećima jer je pad investicionih troškova ohrabrio veliki broj aplikanata za dozvole za izgradnju elektrana na pogodnim lokacijama od ukupno 14 GW, što je dodatno izazvalo zastoje i stagnaciju u izgradnji ovih elektroenergetskih objekata na zemlji. U isto vreme došlo je do poskupljenja troškova snabdevanja električnom energijom za domaćinstva 18% i 27% za privredu tokom 2022. a iste godine kroz mehanizam neto-merenja realizovano je samo oko 6 MW novih elektrana što je kao rezultat daleko ispod mogućeg, realnog nivoa i neophodne brzine sprovođenja energetske tranzicije Srbije. Početkom 2023. godine, uz izmene zakona u pravcu sprovođenja aukcija, najavljeno je da će biti izdate prve dozvole za izgradnju velikih fotonaponskih elektrana na zemljištu i ulaganja u projekte veličine nekoliko (2-3) GW. Stoga je potrebno izvršiti mapiranje i odabiranje 100 lokacija fotonaponskih elektrana kako bi se bolje razumele pogodne lokacije ne samo sa stanovišta prinosa energije, već i kako bi se predupredili eventualni konflikti sa drugim aktivnostima (poljoprivreda, zaštićena područja, kulturno nasleđe). Mapiranje je sprovedeno korišćenjem raspoloživih podataka o energetskim prinosu, kao i geografski specifičnih podataka od značaja za izgradnju većih fotonaponskih elektrana do 10 MW. Odabrano je 100 najboljih lokacija među mnogo većim brojem mogućih. Količina proizvedene energije na površini koja zauzima manje od 25 km2 bila bi dovoljna da pokrije oko 5% potrošnje domaćinstava u Srbiji.

Previous energy strategies for Serbia had various goals in terms of renewable energy sources with the quantification of type of power plants by type, but the national energy planning did not go to the level of determining specific locations for power plants, namely photovoltaic. This caused difficulties for the responsible ministry and public companies to decide which power plants will be connected and which not. Additionally, due to a drop in investment costs, connection requests dramatically increased. In the beginning of 2023 applications for the construction of power plants totaling 14 GW in capacity were under review at public transmission company which further caused delays and stagnation in the construction of these power plants. At the same time, electricity prices for households and industries had increased by 18 and 27% respectively. During the year 2022, only 6 MW of new power plants were realized even with granting the monthly net-metering to the industry and households, which is far below the possible and realistic dynamic of Serbia's energy transition implementation. It was announced in early 2023, with the changes in legislative towards implementing the auctions principles, that the first permits will be issued for the construction of large photovoltaic power plants on land to progress towards meeting an overall capacity goal of 2-3 GW. To guide in selecting sites that will help meet this goal, we mapped 100 suitable photovoltaic power plant locations prioritized not only by energy yield, but also to prevent possible conflicts with other activities (i.e., agriculture, protected areas and cultural heritage). The mapping was carried out using available energy yield data, and geographically specific data of importance for the construction of larger photovoltaic power plants up to 10 MW in size. The 100 locations were selected as best among a much larger number of possible ones. These 100 sites occupy less than 25 km2 of land and would be enough to cover about 5% of household consumption in Serbia. Dosadašnje energetske strategije Srbije su imale različite ciljeve u pogledu obnovljivih izvora energije sa kvantifikacijom pojedinih tipova elektrana, ali nacionalno energetsko planiranje nije išlo do nivoa određivanja konkretnih lokacija, posebno za fotonaponske elektrane. Ovo je izazvalo poteškoće nadležnom ministarstvu i javnim preduzećima jer je pad investicionih troškova ohrabrio veliki broj aplikanata za dozvole za izgradnju elektrana na pogodnim lokacijama od ukupno 14 GW, što je dodatno izazvalo zastoje i stagnaciju u izgradnji ovih elektroenergetskih objekata na zemlji. U isto vreme došlo je do poskupljenja troškova snabdevanja električnom energijom za domaćinstva 18% i 27% za privredu tokom 2022. a iste godine kroz mehanizam neto-merenja realizovano je samo oko 6 MW novih elektrana što je kao rezultat daleko ispod mogućeg, realnog nivoa i neophodne brzine sprovođenja energetske tranzicije Srbije. Početkom 2023. godine, uz izmene zakona u pravcu sprovođenja aukcija, najavljeno je da će biti izdate prve dozvole za izgradnju velikih fotonaponskih elektrana na zemljištu i ulaganja u projekte veličine nekoliko (2-3) GW. Stoga je potrebno izvršiti mapiranje i odabiranje 100 lokacija fotonaponskih elektrana kako bi se bolje razumele pogodne lokacije ne samo sa stanovišta prinosa energije, već i kako bi se predupredili eventualni konflikti sa drugim aktivnostima (poljoprivreda, zaštićena područja, kulturno nasleđe). Mapiranje je sprovedeno korišćenjem raspoloživih podataka o energetskim prinosu, kao i geografski specifičnih podataka od značaja za izgradnju većih fotonaponskih elektrana do 10 MW. Odabrano je 100 najboljih lokacija među mnogo većim brojem mogućih. Količina proizvedene energije na površini koja zauzima manje od 25 km2 bila bi dovoljna da pokrije oko 5% potrošnje domaćinstava u Srbiji.