Distributed generation (DG) especially energy acquired from renewable energy sources (RES) plays a significant role in modern power sector due to high carbon emissions around the globe. Its emerging potential is feasible by implementing microgrids as they are beneficial for networks in terms of increasing flexibility and stability, providing frequency and voltage support, power factor compensation etc. This makes the investment into microgrid incorporating RESs attractive, while at the same time reducing overall investment in the grid. Higher cost and stochastic nature of intermittent RES are complications for the implementation and operation of such solutions. This paper will analyse economic feasibility of hybrid power system (HPS) implementation consisting of a wind generator (WG), a photovoltaic system (PVS), gas combined heat and power plant (CHP) and storage batteries. Each of the elements is optimized according to power demand and RES’s potential. Technical analysis of the grid integration, parallel operation of the system and the grid is analysed with an example of a real medium-voltage distribution network operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina by using quasi-dynamic load flow simulation of one-week time-period. Finally, different operating mechanisms and strategies will be proposed, following the minimal power form the grid premise to satisfy maximum usability of RES’s potential. It is shown that implementing such HPS would be beneficial in terms of both economy and, ecology, as well as in reducing energy losses. Besides, it will reduce power supplying costs and energy losses, as well as and secure better exploitation and utilization of natural renewable energy sources. These technologies positively affect power network by decreasing the risk of network-components overloading, better exploiting the power-generation facilities based on renewable resources and positively impacting voltage profiles. Similar places, situated on remote locations, may use this analysis as an example to follow, to reduce their costs of electricity, acquire more reliable and sustainable power supply, and embrace green future.

Majority of new technologies in electrical engineering nowadays belong to the field of smart grids. Smart grids master programs are being implemented in the Western Balkans countries through the EU funded project ELEMEND. Within smart grids curriculum, practice-oriented teaching is crucial to teach students practical skills needed on the job market. This paper presents the practice-oriented approach of the team from the Public Electric Utility Elektroprivreda of Bosnia and Herzegovina d.d. - Sarajevo, being taught at the International Burch University within three courses from the Smart Grids in Electrical Distribution Systems master program. Apart from the basic theoretical knowledge, students are given projects with real-life problems and real data. Students are being trained to do projects using two commercial software tools. Projects are often on some of the challenging topics of smart grids and the final results of the project are therefore often published in international and national journals and conferences. Also, excursions and site visits to real-life visits of some of the smart grid technologies are organized, as well as internships for some of the students. Therefore, students are at the end trained and qualified for smart grid related jobs on the job market.

Electric vehicles (EVs) retain the focus of the public attention because of the constant development and promotion of their technology and global warming awareness. Their integration is expected to experience an exponential rise along with new challenges for the existing networks. Simultaneous and unregulated charging of a large fleet of EVs increasingly burdens the power system and negatively affects the power quality parameters, especially during the daily peak-period. The paper analyses the power quality analysis of a low-voltage distribution network in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Different EV types are investigated, such as Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Renault ZOE, Volkswagen e-Golf, and Tesla X, to determine their impact on harmonic voltages impact for three EV penetration levels: 10%, 20% and 50%. Wallbox charging mode is also investigated. The results are evaluated compliably with the European power-quality standard EN 50160. Results show that none of the analyzed EV penetration scenarios violate the permissible harmonic voltage limits, except for the 50% EV penetration scenario with wallbox charging.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to analyse the stand-alone operation of the microgrid located in Umoljani, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis was performed for two scenarios; one representing a summer day and the other a winter day. The analysed network was modelled using the DIgSilent PowerFactory. The Photovoltaic (PV) system, Wind Generator (WG) and battery sizing were performed using the HOMER software tool. The load data for the location was obtained from JP Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine. The analysis showed that the network was able to operate in stand-alone mode. Voltage levels were under the voltage limit defined by EN 50160. Line loading was decreased compared to loading in grid-connected mode. As given by the obtained results for the two scenarios, the consumer demand could be satisfied without the inclusion of WG. However, different input data (wind speed data measured on the location) could change the sizing of the production facilities as the results of the optimization calculations in HOMER, which needs to be considered in microgrid configuration.

A microgrid concept for the thermal and electrical energy supply of a Sport-Recreation Center Ajdinovići (S.R.C.A.) has been proposed in this paper. A self-contained and intelligent power distribution grid has been developed for this case, taking into account the location, locally available renewable energy sources and the very purpose of this center. Comparative analyses between independent power supply through the proposed hybrid power system and the supply over the transmission and distribution network were performed. Technical and economical optimization of an energy system with distributed power generation was done by applying HOMER and DIgSILENT PowerFactory professional software tools. As a result, hybrid power system is more cost-effective than the conventional supply by the power distribution network, microgrid meets the technical criteria based on the analysis of power flows and the stability of the network has been achieved. Establishment of energy independence for the existing S.R.C.A. besides economic factor will show several benefits regarding better use of locally available resources, reduction of CO2 emissions and energy efficiency increment as well as an employment opportunity to the local people, thus contributing to the sustainability of the region.

Many traditional heating systems which are based on fossils face challenges such as lack of investment or unfavorable price regulations, low technical performance, environmental impacts and negative consumer perceptions. The CoolHeating project which is, funded by the EU?s Horizon 2020 programme and presented in this paper promotes the implementation of small modular renewable heating and cooling grids for communities in South-Eastern Europe. Core project activities bincluded measures to stimulate the interest of communities and citizens to set-up renewable district heating systems in five target communities in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia up to the investment stage. Single criteria and multi-criteria assessment approaches, considering economic, environmental and social indicators of the targeted projects, have been applied in this work in order to investigate opportunities for the sustainable transition of the heating and cooling sectors of the target communities of Southeast Europe. Both approaches confirm the feasibilities of the transition from traditional to renewable energy-based heating systems for each target community in the countries of South-Eastern Europe. After simulation and replication of the results, the sustainability analysis indicatively shows that the transitions from traditional fossil-based, poor-maintained, and difficult-to-manage heating systems towards renewable district heating and cooling systems in Southeast Europe are sustainable solutions. Having in mind the modularity of such systems, those solutions can be replicated in other Southeast European cities and other countries.