Increasing Energy Efficiency and Transitioning to Renewable Sources in Heating and Cooling

The challenge of transitioning to renewable energy sources or improving energy efficiency may stem from current and future legislative measures, outdated equipment, or the belief that we must act for the environment and climate.

We invite you to an event where you can learn how to enhance energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources in heating and cooling.

The event will take place on 17 December 2024, 9.00-15.00, and will consist of three parts:

1. Lecture by Prof. Dr. Filip Kokalj:
   • Overview of strategic and legislative challenges in heating.
   • Theory of heat production, distribution, and utilization.
   • Small heating and cooling systems.
2. Lecture by Mag. Slavko Može (Viessmann):
   • Large heating systems with boilers and heat pumps.
   • Hybrid multivalent systems to increase the share of renewable energy sources and efficiency.
   • Digitalization of heating and cooling systems.
3. Workshop with Prof. Dr. Filip Kokalj and Mag. Slavko Može:
   • Participants will present their challenges, and together, we will explore conceptual solutions for their issues.

In the first part of the lecture, we will review the current state of legislation in Slovenia, EU directives, and this year’s update to the National Energy and Climate Plan regarding heating and cooling. The requirements are substantial and are expected to increase over time, making it prudent to plan investments with future developments in mind.

To correctly understand the selection of heating and cooling solutions, we will revisit the theory of heat production through combustion processes, cyclical processes, solar radiation, wind, geothermal energy, and more. We will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and individual heat and cold production. For heat utilization, we will explore heat transfer theory and review the regulatory requirements of the new Energy Efficiency in Buildings Regulation.

The range of options for providing heat and cooling in smaller systems is diverse, with completely different characteristics. We will examine various scenarios based on building type or needs, whether for new constructions or renovations, and depending on the available energy sources at the site.

17 December 2024, 9.00-15.00, University of Maribor

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filip Kokalj (M. Sc.) is a renowned expert in mechanical engineering, energy, and environmental protection, employed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor. He lectures on key subjects in these fields and is the author and co-author of numerous scientific articles, books, and a patent holder. He has led numerous research and development projects and, as a licensed engineer, has been involved in complex projects related to design, management, and supervision. Since 2019, he has been lecturing under the TAIEX program of the European Commission on energy and environmental protection. As the president of the Regional Energy Council of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, he actively shapes the energy strategy of the region. Dr. Kokalj is highly respected for his combination of expertise, research excellence, and practical experience.

Mag. Slavko Može (M. Sc.) is a technical expert with over three decades of experience in energy. Early in his career, he was employed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, focusing on energy in a laboratory and research environment. Later, he transitioned into the industry, where he has been working for the past two decades as a technical expert at the renowned German energy company Viessmann. His detailed knowledge of Viessmann’s broad product portfolio, covering nearly all areas of heat production, combined with his excellent presentation skills, makes him a sought-after speaker at professional conferences. He is particularly oriented towards addressing practical development challenges.

Viessmann is a renowned company in energy and climate solutions, distinguished by its innovation, reliability, and sustainable approaches. With a broad range of solutions for heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water preparation, the company contributes to energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. Its technology supports the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. By adapting its operations to digitalization and the energy transition, Viessmann has become a provider of solutions for entire living spaces – both inside and outside buildings.