Croatian city of Vinkovci plans to produce, use hydrogen from waste

The local authorities in Vinkovci, a city located in the eastern part of Croatia, plan to produce hydrogen from waste, and use it in public transportation and for heating.

Josip Romić, the deputy mayor of Vinkovci, says the city has prepared a pre-feasibility study for the project called +ZEMC (Zero Emission Mobility Corridor) H2, whose estimated value is EUR 48 million, according to a report by Index.hr.

Vinkovci is well on its way to start discussions on all the benefits of hydrogen technology, Romić stressed.

Hydrogen production would solve the problem of unrecycled waste

The benefits, in his words, are the solution for waste disposal and the use of hydrogen for the development of public transportation and for heating. Of course, these benefits would allow the city to lower citizens’s bills, Romić added.

He also stressed that the production of hydrogen from waste simultaneously solves the problem of accumulated non-recycled waste and provides cheap environmentally friendly fuel.

Currently, according to Romić, the use of hydrogen in the energy supply in the EU is at a very low level, but Brussels has ambitious plans. The City of Vinkovci, in his words, intends to seize the opportunity and become the leader of hydrogen use in Croatia.

Vinkovci expects to become part of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley

The city plans to join the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, a cross-border project aimed at creating a hydrogen market in Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.

The project was launched on September 1, and is expected to last six years.

The plan is to develop 17 pilot projects and produce more than 5,000 tons of renewable hydrogen a year.

Of note, hydrogen accounts for a 2% share of the EU’s energy consumption. Hydrogen is produced 95% from fossil fuels, chiefly natural gas.

Analyses show that by 2050, hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources could cover 20-50% of traffic energy needs and 5-20% of industry consumption.