Young Energy Europe 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Energy Scouts for a sustainable future

As part of the competition Young Energy Europe competition, the best Energy Scouts 2024 from Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected on December 10. Young employees from eight companies presented innovative projects on energy efficiency and resource conservation. The competition was organized by the AHK Bosnia and Herzegovina and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The project promotes energy efficiency and climate protection among young professionals in cooperation with the private sector. In October 2024, three-day training courses were held in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian capital Sarajevo, where future Energy Scouts learned about topics such as resource conservation, climate protection and energy efficiency. The aim is to identify potential savings in companies and present these to the jury on 10.12.2024.

AHK Bosnia and Herzegovina invited me as a journalist for e-mobility and sustainability to take part in the Young Energy Europe project as a jury member on December 10 in the central Bosnian city of Jajce. The first three winners will present their projects at the international competition in Berlin in February 2025 and thus also represent Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sustainability and innovation in industry: success stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sustainability and energy efficiency are no longer just buzzwords, but strategic priorities for companies worldwide. During the competition, it quickly became clear that more and more companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina are also focusing on innovative solutions to reduce their CO2 emissions and remain competitive in the long term. All pitches were valuable and useful, but only three were able to win. The choice was difficult and close. But let’s take a look at the companies in the top three places.

3rd place: Alternativa d.o.o. – Sustainable efficiency through technology

Alternativa d.o.o. has been an established name in the industry since 1997 with 160 employees and modernized facilities. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of thermal insulation panels, metal elements and roof and façade sheeting in Europe. With four ultra-modern production halls covering 5 million square meters, the company has a clear goal: to identify and optimize potential for energy efficiency and sustainability.

The company found an innovative solution for its forklift trucks. With 27 forklift trucks (17 gas-powered, 8 diesel, 2 electric), this area consumed a disproportionately high amount of energy. By introducing a warehouse management system (WMS) and using RFID technology to monitor movements, the diesel forklifts were the first to be optimized. The biggest investment was the software, but the results speak for themselves: massive energy savings and a sustainable increase in efficiency.

2nd place: Jajce Alloy Wheels d.o.o. – Focus on energy savings

Would you have known? One of the best rims in the world is made in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian town of Jajce! Thanks to German investment and the IDeenunsetzung of Bosnian-Herzegovinian engineers! A successful symbiosis that can serve as a model and inspiration for other such projects! With an energy requirement that results in 17,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, Jajce Alloy Wheels has set ambitious goals. Through the use of photovoltaics, new compressors and the recycling of waste heat, a reduction of 3,059 tons of CO2 is to be achieved by 2025.

The company has been using heat pumps and green production technologies for 15 years, which has significantly increased its competitiveness. The work for luxury brands such as Porsche, Mercedes and BMW is particularly impressive.

After the event, we went to the factory. Engineer Marko Jukić, one of the Energy Scouts at Young Energy Europe in Jajce, showed us around the production halls and presented the company’s commitment to a sustainable future.

1st place: Lukavac Cement – Green energy for two decades

Lukavac Cement, a company with a long tradition, has been investing in sustainable technologies since it was taken over by an Austrian investor in 2001. The result: an impressive CO2 reduction of over 88%. Particularly noteworthy is the use of waste heat for heating and the integration of heat pumps.

Conclusion

Through concrete projects, the Energy Scouts not only reduce costs, but also support climate-neutral strategies. This cross-border initiative turns companies into global players in climate protection. The participating companies prove that sustainability and economic success are not a contradiction in terms. With innovative technologies and a clear commitment to the green transformation, they are making an important contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and protecting our environment. A role model for many other companies in the region and beyond. We wish the winners the best of luck in Berlin!