Naslov
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Activities and Perspectives in Croatia

Autori
Barbir, Frano ; Đukić, Ankica

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, ostalo

Skup
Hydrogen Days

Mjesto i datum
Prag, Češka Republika, 06.04.2016. - 08.04.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
hydrogen action plan, refuelling infrastructure, hydrogen boats, grid balancing, hydrogen islands.

Sažetak
There is no specific hydrogen and fuel cell action plan in Croatia, although hydrogen appeared in an official energy statistics annual (2011) as one of the transformed energy forms beyond 2020. However, there is a diverse range of hydrogen and fuel cell projects at several Croatian universities and institutes. The only commercial fuel cell and hydrogen installations in Croatia are autonomous power supply systems for a couple of telecommunication base stations where fuel cells and hydrogen are used to provide additional autonomy, developed by Koncar Electrical Engineering Institute. Croatia has both needs and potential to become one of the leaders in early applications of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies in transportation and stationary power generation and cogeneration. A plan based on a private initiative to build infrastructure for electric vehicles refueling is being implemented. A similar plan would have to be made for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Croatia is a popular tourist destination, and majority of tourists visit by car. Therefore, Croatia should be a part of European hydrogen highway network. There is a need for medium size passenger boats to connect the numerous islands with the mainland particularly during the tourist season. Croatia with its heritage in shipbuilding could become a leader in hydrogen and fuel cell applications in new generation boats. Croatia generates about 50% of its electricity from renewable energy, primarily hydro power plants. Although a very small percentage of electricity is currently being generated by solar and wind, their installations are rapidly growing but are limited by the ability of the grid to absorb large fluctuations. Therefore, there is a large potential in applying electrolytic hydrogen generation for grid balancing, and then using that hydrogen either as a fuel for transportation, or to convert it back to electricity in fuel cells, or to inject it in the natural gas pipeline. Major pipeline has been built along the major highway connecting North and South of Croatia thus bringing natural gas to the coastal region, where there are a few or no natural gas consumers, and thus no natural gas distribution network. This is an opportunity to install stationary cogeneration fuel cell power plants in commercial buildings close to the major pipeline to utilize available natural gas. Croatia has more than a thousand islands, but less than 100 are populated. Islands are ideal polygons for real world demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in conjunction with renewable energy sources in a complete, but small, autonomous systems. In conclusion, Croatia has a huge potential for application of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. However, hydrogen and fuel cells have yet to be included in the national energy strategy. A national action plan for hydrogen and fuel cells is needed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo

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