The Spatial Aspects of the Wind Farms Impact on the Environment

At a time of increasing use of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity, including the expansion of wind energy, there is a need to examine the impact that projects in the field of renewable energy resources have on the environment. Although it is mainly the positive impact of projects in this field that are spoken and written about, and these are certainly indisputable, there are also certain negative implications of renewable energy projects. This is also the case with projects using green energy in wind farms. For this reason, special attention must be paid to the analysis and assessment of such impacts, as well as to responsible planning and optimal solutions for the spatial organization, by means of which effective environmental protection is achieved. This is where we arrive at the significance of applying strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the planning and spatial organization of wind farms, with the aim of achieving preventive environmental protection. With regard to the role and significance of SEA as an instrument for steering the planning process towards the objectives of environmental protection, the application of SEA in the planning of wind farms stands as the optimal solution for the prevention of the negative effects of wind farms on environmental elements. Another argument supporting this statement is the fact that SEA is characterized by a holistic approach in which it is possible to see complex interactions and correlations in the space in which a wind farm project is planned, that is, the approach analyzes the spatial aspects of the impact of wind farms on the environment. This is precisely the theme of the book SPATIAL ASPECTS OF THE IMPACT OF WIND FARMS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. In addition to analyzing the possibilities and significance of applying SEA in preventive environmental protection when planning wind farms, the book pays special attention to a possible methodological approach in the evaluation of planning propositions. In this context, particular significance is given to the application of the semi‐quantitative expert qualitative method for the multi‐criteria evaluation of planning solutions, which also integrates so‐called partial approaches in evaluating the impact of individual environmental elements, and which can in the case of planning wind farms be based on specific simulation software models. The theoretical knowledge is applied to a specific example in the second half of the book, which contributes to the applicability of the researchSpecial editions 8

The Spatial Aspects of the Wind Farms Impact on the Environment

At a time of increasing use of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity, including the expansion of wind energy, there is a need to examine the impact that projects in the field of renewable energy resources have on the environment. Although it is mainly the positive impact of projects in this field that are spoken and written about, and these are certainly indisputable, there are also certain negative implications of renewable energy projects. This is also the case with projects using green energy in wind farms. For this reason, special attention must be paid to the analysis and assessment of such impacts, as well as to responsible planning and optimal solutions for the spatial organization, by means of which effective environmental protection is achieved. This is where we arrive at the significance of applying strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the planning and spatial organization of wind farms, with the aim of achieving preventive environmental protection. With regard to the role and significance of SEA as an instrument for steering the planning process towards the objectives of environmental protection, the application of SEA in the planning of wind farms stands as the optimal solution for the prevention of the negative effects of wind farms on environmental elements. Another argument supporting this statement is the fact that SEA is characterized by a holistic approach in which it is possible to see complex interactions and correlations in the space in which a wind farm project is planned, that is, the approach analyzes the spatial aspects of the impact of wind farms on the environment. This is precisely the theme of the book SPATIAL ASPECTS OF THE IMPACT OF WIND FARMS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. In addition to analyzing the possibilities and significance of applying SEA in preventive environmental protection when planning wind farms, the book pays special attention to a possible methodological approach in the evaluation of planning propositions. In this context, particular significance is given to the application of the semi‐quantitative expert qualitative method for the multi‐criteria evaluation of planning solutions, which also integrates so‐called partial approaches in evaluating the impact of individual environmental elements, and which can in the case of planning wind farms be based on specific simulation software models. The theoretical knowledge is applied to a specific example in the second half of the book, which contributes to the applicability of the researchSpecial editions 8

Prostorni aspekti uticaja vetroelektrana na životnu sredinu

U vremenu sve veće upotrebe obnovljivih izvora energije u proizvodnji električne energije i ekspanziji vetroenergetike u ovoj oblasti, nameće se potreba za sagledavanjem uticaja koje projekti u oblasti korišćenja obnovljivih energetskih resursa impliciraju u životnoj sredini. Iako se uglavnom piše i govori u pozitivnim uticajima koji imaju projekti u oblasti korišćenja obnovljivih energetskih resursa, koji su svakako nesporni, postoje i određeni negativni uticaji koje impliciraju ovakvi projekti. To je slučaj i sa projektima u oblasti korišćenja eolske energije u vetroelektranama. Iz tog razloga se posebna pažnja mora posvetiti analizi i proceni ovakvih uticaja i odgovornom planiranju i optimalnim rešenjima prostorne organizacije kojima se ostvaruje efikasna zaštita životne sredine. Upravo tu dolazimo do značaja primene strateške procene uticaja na životnu sredinu (SPU) u planiranju i prostornoj organizaciji vetroelektrana, sa ciljem ostvarivanja preventivne zaštite životne sredine. S obzirom na ulogu i značaj SPU kao instrumenta za usmeravanje planskog procesa ka ciljevima zaštite životne sredine, primena SPU u planiranju vetroelektrana nameće se kao optimalno rešenje za prevenciju mogućih negativnih efekata vetroelektrana na elemente životne sredine. Dodatni argument za ovakvu konstataciju je činjenica da SPU karakteriše holistički pristup u kome je moguće sagledati kompleksne interakcije i korelacije u prostoru u kome se planira realizacija projekta vetroelektrane, odnosno analizirati prostorne aspekte uticaja vetroelektrana na životnu sredinu. Upravo to je i tema ove knjige koja je formulisana i u njenom naslovu. Pored analize mogućnosti i značaja primene SPU u preventivnoj zaštiti životne sredine prilikom planiranja vetroelektrana, u knjizi je posebna pažnja posvećena mogućem metodološkom pristupu u evaluaciji planskih propozicija. U tom kontekstu, posebno je istaknuti značaj primene semikvantitativnog ekspertskog kvalitativnog metoda za višekriterijumsku evaluaciju planskih rešenja, koji u sebi integriše i tzv. parcijalne pristupe u proceni uticaja pojedinih elemenata životne sredine, a koji se u slučaju planiranja vetroelektrana mogu bazirati na određenim simulacionim softverskim modelima. Teorijska saznanja primenjena su na konkretnom primeru u drugom delu knjige, čime se doprinelo aplikativnosti istraživačkog rada koji je elaboriran u knjiziPosebna izdanja br. 8

Prostorni aspekti uticaja vetroelektrana na životnu sredinu

U vremenu sve veće upotrebe obnovljivih izvora energije u proizvodnji električne energije i ekspanziji vetroenergetike u ovoj oblasti, nameće se potreba za sagledavanjem uticaja koje projekti u oblasti korišćenja obnovljivih energetskih resursa impliciraju u životnoj sredini. Iako se uglavnom piše i govori u pozitivnim uticajima koji imaju projekti u oblasti korišćenja obnovljivih energetskih resursa, koji su svakako nesporni, postoje i određeni negativni uticaji koje impliciraju ovakvi projekti. To je slučaj i sa projektima u oblasti korišćenja eolske energije u vetroelektranama. Iz tog razloga se posebna pažnja mora posvetiti analizi i proceni ovakvih uticaja i odgovornom planiranju i optimalnim rešenjima prostorne organizacije kojima se ostvaruje efikasna zaštita životne sredine. Upravo tu dolazimo do značaja primene strateške procene uticaja na životnu sredinu (SPU) u planiranju i prostornoj organizaciji vetroelektrana, sa ciljem ostvarivanja preventivne zaštite životne sredine. S obzirom na ulogu i značaj SPU kao instrumenta za usmeravanje planskog procesa ka ciljevima zaštite životne sredine, primena SPU u planiranju vetroelektrana nameće se kao optimalno rešenje za prevenciju mogućih negativnih efekata vetroelektrana na elemente životne sredine. Dodatni argument za ovakvu konstataciju je činjenica da SPU karakteriše holistički pristup u kome je moguće sagledati kompleksne interakcije i korelacije u prostoru u kome se planira realizacija projekta vetroelektrane, odnosno analizirati prostorne aspekte uticaja vetroelektrana na životnu sredinu. Upravo to je i tema ove knjige koja je formulisana i u njenom naslovu. Pored analize mogućnosti i značaja primene SPU u preventivnoj zaštiti životne sredine prilikom planiranja vetroelektrana, u knjizi je posebna pažnja posvećena mogućem metodološkom pristupu u evaluaciji planskih propozicija. U tom kontekstu, posebno je istaknuti značaj primene semikvantitativnog ekspertskog kvalitativnog metoda za višekriterijumsku evaluaciju planskih rešenja, koji u sebi integriše i tzv. parcijalne pristupe u proceni uticaja pojedinih elemenata životne sredine, a koji se u slučaju planiranja vetroelektrana mogu bazirati na određenim simulacionim softverskim modelima. Teorijska saznanja primenjena su na konkretnom primeru u drugom delu knjige, čime se doprinelo aplikativnosti istraživačkog rada koji je elaboriran u knjiziPosebna izdanja br. 8

Spatial planning in the system of environmental protection

The monograph covers the issue of environmental management, which is analysed through five chapters that encompass inevitable themes related to the system of environmental management within spatial and urban planning context. Certain elements of the environmental management system have been analysed with critical view and with recommendations for the problem solving. In such context, the special emphasis is given to analysing the information base condition, as well as to indicators and criteria, which are the fundamental elements for identification and evaluation of the environmental conditions. Environmental management, which is also implemented through spatial planning, where the goal is to provide environmental quality, mainly depends on the state policy for environmental protection. Yet, it is shown that despite the strategic decisions being taken, an integral approach towards environmental protection has been substantiated slowly, and sometimes the protection is not efficient enough. Excessive pollution of air, water, and soil is not acceptable, and it jointly puts a threat to the survival of forests, vulnerable ecosystems, biodiversity, etc. This condition derived from the overall economic development in the past, which was founded on the conflict between environmental policy interest and development interest. The monograph especially focuses at the analysis of the elements for implementing the environmental management policy: legislation (SEA and EIA), institutional organisation, economic interests, and most of all - the spatial planning. With evaluation of the complexity in present attitude towards the environmental protection in Serbia and in the spatial and urban planning, it has been substantiated that we are in the initial phase of environmental management, despite the fact that the first steps towards institutionalisation of this policy have been made. A declared integral approach towards environmental protection does not exist yet, because it seems that it has not been understood that integration of ecological aspects in the process of spatial and urban planning presumes incorporation of the environmental protection requirements into sectoral policies instead of making a new separate policy. The present models of spatial and urban planning mainly involve the environmental protection as the special segment of planning, and this, from the sustainable development viewpoint, cannot give the complete results. Beside that, it is necessary to make better connections of environmental management within spatial planning and management of certain environmental elements, through integration of the subsystem solutions into integral planning solutions according to the principle of applying the model of management which allows the continual process of environmental quality management. The advantage of the proposed model is in its potential to recognise the unexpected impacts on the system, which are registered according to the indicators, upon which it is possible to make additional actions in order to achieve the goal which was setПосебна издања бр. 5

Spatial Aspects of Environmental Impact of Power Plants

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is one of the key instruments for implementing sustainable development strategies in planning in general, namely for analysing and assessing the spatial development concepts, in this case in the field of energy and planning of power plants. The SEA in energy sector planning has become a tool for considering the benefits and consequences of the proposed changes in space, also taking into account the capacity of space to sustain the implementation of the planned activities. This chapter examines the multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) method for carrying out an SEA for the power plants in Energy Sector Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia (case study). The MCE method has found its use in the analysis and assessment of the energy sector spatial impacts on the environment and elements of sustainable development and, in this context, also considering the importance of impacts, spatial dispersion of impacts, their probability and frequency of occurrence, along with the elaboration of the obtained results in a specific, simple and unambiguous way. The chapter focuses on the consideration of aspects of environmental impact of all kinds of power plants, without taking into account the details regarding other aspects of energy sector development that are dealt with in the case study

Impact evaluation within strategic environmental assessment: The case study of the Waste Management Regional plan for Kolubara region in Serbia

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) represents one of the most important instruments for implementation of the sustainable development strategy in planning. The paper presents methodological framework and method used for SEA impact evaluation of the Waste Management Regional plan for Kolubara region in Serbia. The methodological approach and method are based on planer's approach that has results in practice. The method is found after the multicriterion evaluation of the plan solutions within the defined SEA aims and indicators using qualitative expert assessment

Solar power plant planning and the environment

Globalni trend smanjenja ugljeničnog otiska uticao je na dinamičan razvoj projekata koji koriste OIE, uključujući i razvoj solarne energetike u velikim solarnim elektranama, zbog čega se javila potreba za sagledavanjem uticaja koje ovi projekti imaju na prostor i životnu sredinu. U knjizi je konstatovano da uticaji projekata koji koriste OIE, uključujući i solarne elektrane, mogu imati i pozitivne i negativne uticaje na prostor i životnu sredinu, a koje neizostavno treba utvrditi u cilju izbora optimalnih prostornih/teritorijalnih rešenja kojima se obezbeđuje preventivna planska i aktivna zaštita životne sredine. U tom procesu do izražaja dolazi primena strateške procene uticaja na životnu sredinu (SPU) u planiranju i prostornoj organizaciji solarnih elektrana. SPU karakteriše holistički pristup, u kom je u najranijoj fazi razvoja projekta (u procesu planiranja) moguće sagledati kompleksne interakcije i korelacije u prostoru u kom se planira realizacija solarne elektrane, a zatim primeniti princip preventivne zaštite kako bi se negativni uticaji eliminisali ili umanjili, a pozitivni uticaji utvrdili. Na taj način moguće je preduprediti sve potencijalne rizike koji mogu nastati u kasnijim fazama realizacije projekta, što je povoljno i sa aspekta efikasne zaštite životne sredine i iz ugla investitora koji ulažu u projekte solarnih elektrana. Optimalna rešenja kojim se ostvaruje osnovna uloga SPU traže se prvenstveno u analizi prostornih odnosa solarne elektrane prema zemljištu, biodiverzitetu, predelu i osnovnim činiocima životne sredine. Kako je u knjizi prikazano, ovaj proces se, u metodološkom smislu, ostvaruje kombinacijom različitih metodoloških pristupa i metoda za procenu uticaja, kao deo jedinstvenog semikvantitativnog metoda višekriterijumske evaluacije planskih rešenja. Teorijska saznanja primenjena su u knjizi na studiji slučaja kompleksa solarne elektrane Brebeks, što je prikazano u drugom (aplikativnom) delu knjige, na osnovu čega je zaključeno da primenjeni pristup SPU predstavlja pogodnu podršku u proceni uticaja solarne elektrane na životnu sredinu, preventivnoj zaštiti životne sredine na području na kom se planira izgradnja solarne elektrane i procesu donošenja optimalnih odluka o prostornom razvoju na području planirane solarne elektrane.The global trend of reducing the "carbon footprint" has influenced the dynamic development of projects utilizing renewable energy sources (RES), including the expansion of solar energy in large-scale solar power plants. This has led to the need for assessing the impacts these projects have on the space and the environment. The book notes that projects using RES, including solar power plants, can have both positive and negative impacts on the space and the environment, which must be determined to choose optimal spatial/territorial solutions ensuring preventive planning and active environmental protection. In this process, the application of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the planning and spatial organization of solar power plants becomes significant. SEA involves a holistic approach where complex interactions and correlations in the space where the solar power plant is planned for implementation can be considered in the earliest stages of project development (in the planning process). The principle of preventive protection can then be applied to eliminate or mitigate negative impacts and ascertain positive impacts. This approach enables the anticipation of all potential risks that may arise in later stages of project implementation, which is beneficial both in terms of efficient environmental protection and from the perspective of investors investing in solar power projects. Optimal solutions to fulfill the primary role of SEA are primarily sought in the analysis of spatial relationships of the solar power plant with land, biodiversity, landscape, and basic environmental factors. As demonstrated in the book, this process, methodologically, is achieved through a combination of various methodological approaches and impact assessment methods, as part of a unified semi-quantitative method of multicriteria evaluation of planning solutions. Theoretical knowledge applied in the book is exemplified in a case study of the "Brebex" solar power plant complex, as shown in the second (applicative) part of the book. It is concluded based on this case study that the applied SEA approach provides suitable support in: assessing the impact of the solar power plant on the environment; preventive environmental protection in the area where the construction of the solar power plant is planned; and the process of making optimal decisions on spatial development in the area of the planned solar power plant

Strategic environmental assessment and climate change in the Republic of Serbia: Support to development and adjustment process

The paper analyzes the SEA status in the Republic of Serbia in the context of climate change problem. In addition to an overview of current legal framework, status and relationship towards the planning process, special attention has also been dedicated to the analysis of current practice - the SEA of plans of different hierarchical levels - for the purpose of giving insight into the current state. The paper stress that the development of the SEA in Serbia has stagnated since the introduction of the Law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment ('Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia', no.135/2004 and 88/2010) in the sense that there are no special activities in innovating methodological and procedural framework, nor public participation initiatives. Further, results of research that has been carried out indicate that climate change problems have not been systematically treated in the SEA, i.e. in plans, and that the existing legal framework is not fully supportive of this problem area. Based on the results, the recommendations have also been formulated which, amongst other things, include the formulation of special guidelines for carrying out the SEA which would, in particular, treat climate change in the sense of instructions related to phases of planning, level and coverage of plans including also examples of good practice, as well as strengthening of institutional framework and permanent education