Energy

Global demand for critical and strategic raw materials is on the rise. These resources are indispensable, particularly for the transition to clean energy, but also within other industry sectors. In this issue of our Böll.Thema magazine, we provide insights into recent developments in resource extraction, the associated challenges, and, most importantly, opportunities for positive change.

The report is a summary with the key findings from the Community energy law in Greece, Serbia, Poland, and Bulgaria. Stock taking and bottlenecks workshop organised in the meantime of the Community Energy Spring Gathering that both took place in Athens and which aimed to explore the topic of a decentralised system of community energy based on democratisation, localization, and environmentally sustainable methods of energy sourcing by shedding light onto its initiatives in Greece, Serbia, Poland, and Bulgaria. The paper presents key elements of both the legal framework and lessons learnt from the community energy initiative’s actions in each of the mentioned countries. Provided knowledge may be useful for further actions towards decentralised energy systems.  

What are the arguments in favor of Small Modular Reactors and how realistic are they? What is the chance we will see their mass construction in the Czech Republic? This publication contributes the views of experts and offers the most important findings in the topic. Its author is Professor Stephen Thomas from the University of Greenwich who has more than 25 years of experience conducting research in the field of energy policies. The current situation in the Czech Republic is described in a chapter by Edvard Sequens, the energy consultant for the Calla organization.