On 27th and 28th September 2021, DanuP-2-Gas project stakeholders and representatives of partner organisations met in person for the first time since the project start. The two-day hybrid event, which was hosted by the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, took place in Zagreb, Croatia.

Day one of the event was dedicated to the First Year Review meeting and the 3rd project partner meeting. Project consortium met virtually with the MA/JS DTP Project officer, Mr. Horst Schindler and updated him on the project implementation status, the progress of all activities/deliverables/outputs, and potential challenges to overcome until the end of the project. The partner meeting on the other hand focused on thematic work package workshops, whereby partners discussed future steps to reach set objectives and shared their experience on implementation of thematic project activities on a national level. During the meeting, a special focus was put also on the status of project communications and the plan for future dissemination activities that will engage as many stakeholders and the public as possible. The meeting was closed to the public.

The Stakeholder event took place on 28th September. The event, which was available for public access, brought together project stakeholders, partners and all interested parties. To provide a possibility for joining the event to as many people as possible, it was organized in a hybrid way, allowing on-site and online participation. The event programme focused on the topics of renewable energy, power-to-gas, sectors coupling and more. Speakers at the event were project partners as well as external project stakeholders and representatives of key target groups.

The event was opened and moderated by Mr. Mario Vašak, the representative of the hosting organization. After a warm welcome and introductory speech, the first speaker Ms. Astrid Heindel from project leading organization, Technology Centre for Energy, University of Applied Sciences Landshut, presented the DanuP-2-Gas project in detail, addressing all relevant aspects and challenges to address. Speakers coming from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Dejan Stojadinović and Mr. Mile Međugorac gave insight into countries’ status on biomass, renewables potential, potentials for renewable hydrogen production and legal framework. The remaining part of the event focused on the situation in Croatia more in detail. Ms. Nataša Putak presented the role of Croatian Energy Market Operator in supporting renewable energy in Croatia, Mr. Tonći Panza talked about Energy Park ”Ravne” Pag and Prof. Neven Duić provided a detailed insight into possibilities and perspectives of biomass, electricity and gas sectors coupling in Croatia via Power to gas Hubs.

List of speakers and their presentations:

• Project Status, Updates and Perspectives for Stakeholders, Astrid Heindel, Technology Centre Energy - University of Applied Sciences Landshut
• Biomass Assessment, Renewables Potential, Infrastructure, Policy and Legal Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mile Međugorac, JP Elektroprivreda Hrvatske Zajednice Herceg Bosne d.d. Mostar
• Potentials for Renewable Hydrogen Production in Serbia, Dejan Stojadinović, Regional Agency for Socio-Economic Development–Banat Ltd 
• The Role of Croatian Energy Market Operator in Supporting Renewable Energy in Croatia – Experiences and Perspectives, Nataša Putak, Croatian Energy Market Operator 
• Repowering of the First Wind Farm in Croatia with Photovoltaics and Hydrogen Production - Energy Park ”Ravne” Pag, Tonći Panza, Adria Wind Power 
• Possibilities and Perspectives of Biomass, Electricity and Gas Sectors Coupling in Croatia via Power-to-gas Hubs, Prof. Neven Duić, International Centre for Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems   

The overall impression of the event from attendees was very positive. The next time partners meet each other will be for the Mid-term event in Passau and at the Technology Centre for Energy in Ruhstorf an der Rott in Germany. All project partners are looking forward to the next meeting to share knowledge and create synergies with stakeholders.

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