Nagrada “Hrvoje Požar“ / "Hrvoje Požar" Award

Prof. dr. sc. Eraldu Banovcu je na 29. svečanosti dodjele godišnjih nagrada Zaklade “Hrvoje Požar” (održanoj 5. srpnja 2024. u Knjižnici Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti) uručena prestižna nagrada “Hrvoje Požar“ za značajnu stručnu i znanstvenu djelatnost u razvitku energetike. Na web-stranici Hrvatskog energetskog društva (https://www.hed.hr/zaklada.html#zaklada, pristup 9. rujna 2024.) nalazi se sljedeći tekst:

„Za značajnu stručnu i znanstvenu djelatnost u razvitku energetike nagrađen je prof. dr. sc. Eraldo Banovac, istaknuti hrvatski znanstvenik i profesor, poznat po svom radu u područjima energetike i tehničkih znanosti. Kroz brojne aktivnosti ne samo da doprinosi znanosti, već i inspirira nove generacije stručnjaka u području energetike.“

🗺️ EN

On Friday, July 5, 2024, the 29th annual awards ceremony of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation of the Croatian Energy Society was held in the festive setting of the Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Prof. Eraldo Banovac, Ph.D., was presented with the prestigious “Hrvoje Požar” Award for his significant professional and scientific activity in the development of energy. On the official website of the Croatian Energy Society (https://www.hed.hr/foundation.html, accessed on September 9th, 2024), the following statement is published:

“Prof. Eraldo Banovac, Ph.D. was awarded for his significant professional and scientific activity in the development of energy. As prominent Croatian scientist and professor, he is known for his work in the fields of energy and technical sciences. Through numerous activities, he is not only contributing to the science, but is also inspiring new generations of experts in the field of energy.”

Govor Eralda Banovca održan 5. srpnja 2024. u Knjižnici Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti na 29. svečanosti dodjele godišnjih nagrada Zaklade “Hrvoje Požar”

Poštovani,

moje prigodno obraćanje započet ću s jednom tvrdnjom, s kojom bi se, vjerujem, mnogi u ovoj dvorani mogli složiti – dakle: lijepo je biti energetičar.

Želim u ime svih nagrađenih zahvaliti Hrvatskom energetskom društvu i Glavnom odboru Zaklade "Hrvoje Požar" što su na ovako lijepi način potvrdili vrijednost našeg rada i naših postignuća.

Izražavam zahvalnost i onima koji su pratili naš rad, vrednovali rezultate koje smo ostvarili i predložili nas za ove značajne nagrade.

Svakako zahvalni smo i našim obiteljima za svu potporu koju su nam pružili.

U suštini, uvijek su me intrigirala dva pitanja: prvo, zašto? I drugo, može li se nešto unaprijediti?

U tom sam smislu i nastojao djelovati u proteklim desetljećima. Stoga me uistinu raduje ako sam nešto malo pridonio znanosti putem mojih objavljenih radova i knjiga – dozvolite mi da pritom parafraziram barda hrvatskog pjesništva Dobrišu Cesarića:

     taj san o znanosti da bi mogao sjati,

     i moja malenkost pomaže ga tkati.

Osobita mi je čast biti uvršten u plejadu dobitnika nagrade za značajnu stručnu i znanstvenu djelatnost u razvitku energetike Zaklade "Hrvoje Požar". I posebno mi je zadovoljstvo primiti nagradu ovdje u ovom lijepom zdanju Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti – koje nas simbolički podsjeća na iznimnu osobnost akademika Hrvoja Požara, velikoga hrvatskog znanstvenika i energetičara svjetskog glasa čije je angažirano dugogodišnje djelovanje na dužnosti glavnog tajnika Akademije ostalo zapamćeno.

Bio je utemeljitelj poznate zagrebačke energetske škole, orijentiran prema sustavnom, planskom i razvojnom pristupu energetici. Neumoran u svojim naporima i aktivnostima, profesor Požar pokazao nam je kako treba uporno, dosljedno i stručno djelovati jer se upravo tako mogu postići primjereni rezultati u znanosti, energetici i sustavu visokog obrazovanja. Nažalost, to nije čest primjer u današnjem užurbanom vremenu globalizacije, konzumerizma i kojekakvih trivijalnosti.

Energetika je složena multidisciplinarna znanost, a energija je esencijalna za život ljudi i bila je ključni čimbenik civilizacijskog razvoja. Energija je nužna za odvijanje procesa, kao – samo da navedem kao primjer – onih proizvodnih gdje se, uz sirovine i informacije, nalazi na inputu samoga procesa.

Kada već govorim o značaju energije, sjetimo se nedavnog događaja – kada je 21. lipnja 2024. došlo do nestanka električne energije u Albaniji, Crnoj Gori i Bosni i Hercegovini, što je zahvatilo i dijelove Republike Hrvatske. Iako poremećaj koji se dogodio usred toplinskog vala nije kod nas trajao dugo, ipak smo svjedočili znatnim problemima, a posebno velikim gužvama na prometnicama koje su nastale zbog prestanka rada semafora i visokim temperaturama u zgradama zbog prestanka rada klima uređaja. Još jednom se potvrdilo da je nezamislivo funkcioniranje suvremenog društva bez električne energije.

Energetika je zanimljiva, inovativna i nadasve kompleksna. Stoga, reći ću to s posve osobnog motrišta, inženjersko djelovanje u energetici predstavlja pravi slatki izazov. Istraživanja, inovacije i nova tehnološka rješenja ispunit će očekivanja svakoga tko stremi boljitku i razvoju sustava u kojemu djeluje, ali i društva u cjelini.

Buduće područje djelovanja u okviru odvijanja globalnog procesa energetske tranzicije bit će golemo – da spomenem samo obnovljive izvore energije, geotermalne elektrane, male modularne reaktore, decentraliziranu proizvodnju energije, pametne mreže, elektromobilnost, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage – tzv. CCUS tehnologije, bioplin i vodik, uključivo i problematiku tržišta energije, djelovanje agregatora, prosumera, energetskih zajednica itd.

Posebno želim naglasiti da u današnje vrijeme moramo ne samo razmišljati već i djelovati ekološki. Svima bi napokon trebalo biti jasno da se mora puno snažnije djelovati u cilju zaštite okoliša i sprječavanja globalnog zatopljenja. Ne promijenimo li naš nemaran odnos, sutra – kada čovječanstvo zakorači u smjeru potpuno neizvjesne budućnosti – bit će prekasno.

Zašto to govorim? Jednostavno zbog toga što, unatoč spoznaji da uporabom energije utječemo na klimatske promjene, recentna stopa rasta kapaciteta postrojenja obnovljivih izvora energije nije dovoljna niti da pokrije porast potrošnje energije u svijetu.

Stoga je potreban studiozniji pristup, pri čemu dobro definirani energetski miks, uz rast uporabe obnovljivih izvora energije, veću energetsku učinkovitost i široku primjenu novih tehnoloških rješenja, predstavlja condicio sine qua non učinkovite energetske politike bilo koje države u svijetu.

Nadalje, s ovoga mjesta želim uputiti poruku mladima kojih, vidim, ima i u ovoj dvorani.

U životu promatrajte, promišljajte, učite. Budite optimistični, radite s entuzijazmom i akumulirajte nova znanja. I nemojte se ustručavati pokazati svoje znanje već ga nesebično prenosite drugima. Jer diseminacija znanja preduvjet je svakog budućeg napretka.

Znajte, znanje je jedini oblik imovine koji možete nesebično podijeliti drugima, a da ga i dalje posjedujete.

Mi ne znamo kako će budućnost točno izgledati, ali nadam se da će, zbog dobrobiti čovječanstva, na Zemlji postojati civilizacija znanja i to u ne tako dalekoj budućnosti.

U svakom slučaju, generacija kojoj ja pripadam učinila je koliko je mogla, sada je red na vas. Budite nositelji progresa, preuzmite palicu i odgovornost koja ide uz to i poboljšajte svijet u kojem živimo. Spremni smo vam pritom pružiti podršku i pomagati koliko god to bude u našoj mogućnosti.

I na kraju, završit ću s tvrdnjom s kojom sam i započeo — zaista, lijepo je biti energetičar.

🗺️ EN

Speech by Eraldo Banovac delivered on July 5, 2024, at the Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts during the 29th annual awards ceremony of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation

Ladies and gentlemen,

I will begin my address with a statement I believe many in this room would agree with – namely:
      It is a beautiful thing to be an energy professional.

On behalf of all the awardees, I would like to thank the Croatian Energy Society and the Main Committee of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation for confirming the value of our work and achievements in such a gracious way.

I also express my gratitude to those who followed our work, evaluated our results, and nominated us for these significant awards.

We are, of course, grateful to our families for all the support they have given us.

Essentially, two questions have always intrigued me: first, why? And second, can something be improved?

In this spirit, I have endeavored to act throughout the past decades. I am truly pleased if I have contributed even a little to science through my published papers and books – allow me to paraphrase the bard of Croatian poetry, Dobriša Cesarić:
      to make that dream of science shine,
      and humbly, help to weave its line.

It is a great honor for me to be included among the laureates of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation award for significant professional and scientific activity in the development of energy. It is a particular pleasure to receive this award here in the beautiful building of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts – which symbolically reminds us of the exceptional figure of academician Hrvoje Požar, a great Croatian scientist and globally recognized energy expert, whose long and dedicated service as Secretary General of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts remains well remembered. 

He was the founder of the well-known Zagreb energy school, oriented toward a systematic, planned, and developmental approach to energy. Tireless in his efforts and activities, Professor Požar showed us how to act persistently, consistently, and professionally – because only then can appropriate results be achieved in science, energy, and higher education. Unfortunately, that is not often the case in today’s fast-paced time of globalization, consumerism, and various trivialities.

Energy is a complex multidisciplinary science, and energy itself is essential for human life and has been a key factor in the development of civilization. Energy is necessary for processes to take place – as, for example, in manufacturing, where it is input alongside raw materials and information.

Speaking of the importance of energy, let us recall a recent event – on June 21, 2024, a power outage occurred in Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, affecting parts of the Republic of Croatia as well. Although the disruption caused by the heatwave was not long-lasting in our case, we still witnessed significant issues, especially traffic congestion due to non-functioning traffic lights and high indoor temperatures caused by air conditioning failures. Once again, it has been confirmed that modern society cannot function without electricity.

Energy is interesting, innovative, and above all – complex. Therefore, from a personal point of view, engineering in the energy sector is a truly sweet challenge. Research, innovation, and new technological solutions will fulfill the expectations of anyone striving for progress in the system in which they operate, as well as for society as a whole.

The future field of activity within the global energy transition will be vast – just to mention renewable energy sources, geothermal power plants, small modular reactors, decentralized energy production, smart grids, electromobility, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage – the so-called CCUS technologies, biogas and hydrogen, including energy market issues, the role of aggregators, prosumers, energy communities, etc.

I especially want to emphasize that today we must not only think but also act ecologically. It should finally be clear to everyone that much stronger action is needed to protect the environment and prevent global warming. If we do not change our careless attitude, tomorrow – when humanity steps into a completely uncertain future – it will be too late.

Why do I say this? Simply because, despite being aware that energy use affects climate change, the recent growth rate of renewable energy plant capacity is not even sufficient to cover the increase in global energy consumption.

Therefore, a more thorough approach is needed, where a well-defined energy mix – along with the growth in renewable energy use, greater energy efficiency, and widespread application of new technological solutions – represents the ‘condicio sine qua non’ of any effective energy policy in the world.

Furthermore, I would like to send a message from this place to the youth, some of whom I see are also in this room.

Observe, reflect, and learn in life. Be optimistic, work enthusiastically, and accumulate new knowledge. And do not hesitate to show your knowledge – share it selflessly with others. Because the dissemination of knowledge is a prerequisite for any future progress.

Remember, knowledge is the only form of wealth that you can selflessly share with others and still retain.

In truth, we do not know exactly what the future will look like, but I hope that, for the benefit of humanity, a knowledge-based civilization will exist on Earth – and in the not too distant future.

In any case, the generation to which I belong has done what it could – now it is your turn. Be the bearers of progress, take the baton and the responsibility that comes with it, and improve the world we live in. We are ready to support and help you as much as we can.

And finally, I will conclude with the same statement with which I began:

  Indeed, it is a beautiful thing to be an energy professional.

29. svečanost dodjele godišnjih nagrada Zaklade “Hrvoje Požar”

Fotografije s 29. svečanosti dodjele godišnjih nagrada Zaklade “Hrvoje Požar” održane 5. srpnja 2024. u Knjižnici Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti:

🗺️ EN

29th Annual Awards Ceremony of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation

Photographs from the 29th annual awards ceremony of the "Hrvoje Požar" Foundation, held on 5 July 2024 at the Library of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts:

Priznanje za životno djelo Hrvatske stručne udruge za plin / Lifetime Achievement Award of the Croatian Gas Association

Na svečanoj sjednici Skupštine HSUP-a, koja je održana povodom Dana plina 18. listopada 2016., prof. dr. sc. Eraldu Banovcu uručeno je Priznanje za životno djelo Hrvatske stručne udruge za plin za doprinos razvoju gospodarstva, struke, znanosti i obrazovanja u području energetike, plina i plinske tehnike te regulacije energetskih djelatnosti u RH sukladno pravilima EU-a.

🗺️ EN

At the ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Croatian Gas Association (HSUP), held on 18 October 2016, Prof. Eraldo Banovac, Ph.D., was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Croatian Gas Association, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the economy, professional practice, science, and education in the fields of energy, gas, and gas technology, as well as to the regulation of energy activities in the Republic of Croatia, in line with EU standards.

Govor Eralda Banovca, dobitnika Priznanja za životno djelo HSUP-a, na svečanoj sjednici Skupštine HSUP-a (18. listopada 2016.) održanoj povodom Dana plina

Uvaženi skupe,

velika mi je čast stajati ovdje pred vama, u ulozi dobitnika ovako značajnog priznanja HSUP-a – udruge zaslužne za razvoj plinskoga gospodarstva i snažno angažirane u promicanju vrijednosti plinske struke.

U ime dobitnika priznanja, izražavam zahvalnost Odboru za priznanja i nagrade HSUP-a, udruzi kao cjelini te predsjedniku HSUP-a prof. Šuniću. Kao ljudi i energetičari osjećamo zadovoljstvo što je netko bitan uočio, pratio te na ovako lijepi način valorizirao naš trud i postignute rezultate. Želimo da ova priznanja, uručena danas nama, budu poticaj budućim primateljima priznanja HSUP-a. A prilika za rad i daljnje napredovanje bit će uistinu mnogo, budući da će plin i nadalje biti značajan energent u energetskom miksu.

Prema dokumentu "Key World Energy Statistics 2016" (IEA), ukupna svjetska potrošnja primarnih energenata iznosila je 6.101 Mtoe u 1973. godini (od toga prirodni plin 976 Mtoe - 16 %, nafta 2.819 Mtoe - 46,2 %), a u 2014. godini 13.699 Mtoe (od toga prirodni plin 2.904 Mtoe - 21,2 %, nafta 4.288 Mtoe - 31,3 %). Dakle, u razdoblju od samo četiri desetljeća, ukupna svjetska potrošnja primarnih energenata povećala se 2,2 puta, a u okviru toga prirodnog plina tri puta i nafte 1,5 puta!

Prednosti prirodnog plina doći će do izražaja tijekom nadolazećih godina zbog:

• visoke energetske vrijednosti,

• široke primjenjivosti (u kućanstvima za grijanje, kuhanje i PTV, u industriji – gdje se koristi i kao sirovina (petrokemija), prometu – gdje stlačeni prirodni plin predstavlja ekološku alternativu naftnim derivatima, energetskim pretvorbama – u plinskim elektranama i visokoučinkovitim kogeneracijskim i trigeneracijskim postrojenjima),

• značajnih rezervi uz globalnu diversifikaciju plinskih polja,

• novih tehnologija pridobivanja te izdvajanja i skladištenja ugljičnog dioksida (Carbon Capture & Storage – CCS).

OIE su jako važni i morali bi imati veći udio u energetskom miksu. Međutim, OIE ne mogu garantirati održivu sigurnost opskrbe u uvjetima stalno rastuće potrošnje energije u svijetu. Niti uz značajno veći udio OIE-a u energetskoj potrošnji (u EU: 20 % do 2020. i 27 % do 2030.) nije moguće postići sigurnost opskrbe energijom, između ostalog i zbog:

• očekivanog porasta populacije (prema prognozi UN-a, 2100. godine na Zemlji će živjeti oko 11 milijardi ljudi),

• intenzivnog gospodarskog rasta Kine i Indije (stanovništvo: oko 2,7 milijardi),

• posvemašnjeg rasta životnog standarda uz iskorjenjivanje energetskog siromaštva (danas jednoj milijardi ljudi još uvijek nisu dostupne blagodati suvremenih načina korištenja energije),

• specifičnih energetskih politika nekih značajnih zemalja (poput npr. Njemačke, s prekidom rada nuklearnih elektrana), s mogućim utjecajem na globalnu energetiku bliske budućnosti.

Nadalje, ukoliko bi prosječni godišnji rast ukupne svjetske potrošnje primarnih energenata iznosio 1 % u razdoblju 2014.–2100., potrošnja u 2100. godini bila bi 2,3 puta veća od potrošnje u 2014. godini, odnosno čak 5,5 puta veća u slučaju prosječnog godišnjeg rasta potrošnje od 2 %. Dakle, bez prirodnog plina nema održive sigurnosti opskrbe energijom, barem ne u doglednoj budućnosti. Založimo se stoga za implementaciju CCS-a, čime se mogu dekarbonizirati značajne količine prirodnog plina korištene u postrojenjima velikih snaga poput plinskih elektrana.

Kod nas u RH, trebat će donijeti novu strategiju dugoročnog energetskog razvoja i realno ostvarive provedbene planove, osigurati značajne resurse, uložiti veliku radnu energiju i nadasve znanje. Glede znanja, neka mi bude dozvoljeno citirati jednu moju misao iz sveučilišnog udžbenika "Osnove, metode i alati kvalitete":

"Dodati vlastiti, pa makar i maleni, oblutak na veliku šljunčanu plažu ljudskoga znanja mogao bi biti dovoljan razlog da se je postojalo."

Ja čvrsto vjerujem u znanje i kompetenciju. Znanje je glavni pokretački faktor razvoja i opstojnosti naše civilizacije. Tako je bilo tijekom minulih tisućljeća, tako će biti i u budućnosti. Znanje je, u stvari, jedina imovina koju možete nesebično razdijeliti drugima, a da je i dalje posjedujete.

Mislim da je nastupio pogodan trenutak da privedem ovo prigodno obraćanje kraju. Jer, jednom je netko u sličnoj prigodi rekao da je, za obraćanje povodom primitka nagrade, pripremio dva teksta — jedan vrlo kratak i drugi nešto duži. Prvi glasi: "Hvala", a drugi: "Puno vam hvala".

Želim svima u ovoj dvorani puno uspjeha u radu i privatnom životu.

🗺️ EN

Speech by Eraldo Banovac, recipient of the the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Croatian Gas Association, at the ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Croatian Gas Association (October 18, 2016)

Distinguished assembly,

It is a great honor to stand here before you as a recipient of such a significant recognition by HSUP – an association responsible for the development of the gas sector and actively engaged in promoting the values of the gas profession.

On behalf of the award recipients, I express gratitude to the HSUP Awards and Recognition Committee, the association as a whole, and the president of HSUP, Prof. Šunić. As individuals and energy professionals, we feel satisfaction that someone important has noticed, followed, and so graciously acknowledged our efforts and achieved results. We hope that these awards, presented to us today, will serve as motivation for future HSUP award recipients. And there will indeed be many opportunities for work and progress, since gas will continue to be a significant energy source in the energy mix.

According to the document "Key World Energy Statistics 2016" (IEA), total global primary energy consumption was 6,101 Mtoe in 1973 (of which natural gas accounted for 976 Mtoe – 16%, oil 2,819 Mtoe – 46.2%), and in 2014 it was 13,699 Mtoe (natural gas 2,904 Mtoe – 21.2%, oil 4,288 Mtoe – 31.3%). Thus, in just four decades, total global primary energy consumption increased by 2.2 times, with natural gas usage increasing threefold and oil 1.5 times!

The advantages of natural gas will become even more prominent in the coming years due to:

• high energy value,

• wide applicability (in households for heating, cooking, and hot water; in industry – also as a raw material (petrochemicals); in transportation – where compressed natural gas is an environmentally friendly alternative to oil derivatives; in energy conversion – in gas power plants and high-efficiency cogeneration and trigeneration facilities),

• significant reserves with global diversification of gas fields,

• new extraction technologies as well as carbon dioxide capture and storage (Carbon Capture & Storage – CCS).

Renewable energy sources (RES) are very important and should have a larger share in the energy mix. However, RES cannot guarantee sustainable energy supply security in the face of ever-growing global energy consumption. Even with a significantly larger share of RES in energy consumption (in the EU: 20% by 2020 and 27% by 2030), energy supply security cannot be achieved, partly due to:

• expected population growth (according to UN projections, around 11 billion people will live on Earth by 2100),

• intensive economic growth in China and India (population: approx. 2.7 billion),

• overall rise in living standards and eradication of energy poverty (today, one billion people still do not have access to the benefits of modern energy use),

• specific energy policies of some major countries (such as Germany's shutdown of nuclear power plants), which may impact global energy in the near future.

Furthermore, if the average annual growth in total global primary energy consumption were 1% during 2014–2100, then consumption in 2100 would be 2.3 times higher than in 2014, or even 5.5 times higher with an average annual growth of 2%. Therefore, without natural gas, there is no sustainable energy supply security, at least not in the foreseeable future. Let us support the implementation of CCS, which can decarbonize significant quantities of natural gas used in high-power facilities such as gas power plants.

In Croatia, we will need to adopt a new strategy for long-term energy development and realistically achievable implementation plans, secure significant resources, invest great effort, and above all – knowledge. On the subject of knowledge, allow me to quote a thought from my university textbook "Fundamentals, Methods and Tools of Quality":
"To add one's own, even the tiniest, pebble to the vast gravel beach of human knowledge might be a sufficient reason for having existed."

I strongly believe in knowledge and competence. Knowledge is the main driving force behind the development and survival of our civilization. It has been so throughout the past millennia, and it will continue to be so in the future. Knowledge is, in fact, the only asset you can selflessly share with others and still retain.

I believe this is a good moment to conclude this address. As someone once said on a similar occasion:
For the acceptance speech, I prepared two texts: one very short and the other a bit longer. The first one says “thank you,” and the second “thank you very much.”

I wish everyone in this hall great success in your work and personal lives.

Svečana sjednica Skupštine HSUP-a, održana povodom Dana plina, 18. listopada 2016.

Fotografije sa svečane sjedice Skupštine HSUP-a, održane 18. listopada 2016.:

🗺️ EN

Ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Croatian Gas Association, held on 18 October 2016

Photographs from the ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Croatian Gas Association, held on 18 October 2016:

🔗 Povratak na uvodnu stranicu / Return to homepage