H2CE partners met in Zagreb on 6–7 June 2024 to review regional analyses and advance practical tools for hydrogen-ready regions. Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme Officer Mirjana Dominović joined the meeting and provided feedback on project implementation.
Regional analyses and strategic planning
Partners compared the challenges and opportunities identified in their regions. REGEA and representatives of the Pomorskie Region presented findings from their regional analyses and discussed how these could inform regional strategies and action plans.
The exchange showed that hydrogen planning needed to reflect different regional conditions, available infrastructure, stakeholder capacities and expected demand.
Tools and support mechanisms
The partnership reviewed progress on several H2CE solutions:
- GIS-based tools for mapping regional hydrogen and energy systems;
- an energy-cell model for modelling and simulating future energy systems;
- hydrogen vouchers to support hydrogen-related projects and initiatives;
- Regional H2 Competence Centres for capacity building and stakeholder support; and
- the H2CE Collaboration Platform for sharing knowledge, tools and regional experience.
The discussions also identified the need for comparable data and continuous input from project partners.
Learning from practical technologies
The meeting concluded with a study visit to the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. Professor Ankica Kovač presented hydrogen technologies, including practical demonstrations of hydrogen production and hydrogen-powered bicycles.
Main value
The meeting connected regional analyses with the development of practical project outputs. It helped partners compare approaches, identify data needs and refine tools that were later tested and made available through the H2CE Collaboration Platform.