The 39th International Scientific and Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals, along with the traditional international exhibition of gas equipment and technologies, was successfully held in the Congress Center of the Grand Hotel Adriatic in Opatija in the period 8-10 May 2024 and organised by Croatian Gas Centre Ltd. and the Croatian Gas Association (CGA) as a member of the International Gas Union (IGU)

The meeting was organised under the high patronage of the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, including the Croatian Chamber of Economy. The meeting was also supported by the following main partners: Siemens Energy Ltd. and Prvo plinarsko društvo Ltd., in addition to the sponsors: INA-Industrija nafte d. d., Plinacro Ltd., LNG Croatia LLC, HEP d. d., Monter-strojarske montaže d. d., Monting Ltd., Chart Ferox a. s., Međimurje-plin Ltd., and MET Croatia Energy Trade Ltd., as well as the co-organisers Underground Gas Storage Ltd. and Termoplin d. d. Varaždin.

During the three days in Opatija, more than 500 attendees from 20 European countries, including China, Algeria and Cameroon, participated. This year’s exceptionally well-attended meeting gathered numerous gas and energy professionals, scientists from Croatian and European universities, managers of European energy companies, representatives of energy entities performing energy activities in the gas sector, as well as representatives of large industrial gas consumers, manufacturers and representatives of gas equipment from Croatia and abroad. Two introductory lectures were held, including ten roundtable discussions and four interesting interactive panel discussions, presenting a series of scientific and professional papers. Also represented were 178 gas and energy companies and organisations, including 35 exhibitors (16 were from abroad) presenting their products and services in the exhibition premises in front of the congress halls.

At the opening of the meeting, the President of the Croatian Gas Association, Assist. Prof. Dalibor Pudić, PhD., greeted invitees and attendees. He pointed out that the gathering brings together leaders of all major Croatian energy companies and hundreds of domestic and foreign experts and scientists. He stressed that in addition to natural gas, biomethane and hydrogen will also be discussed, which, together with renewable sources, will change the European energy sector. Over time, numerous technological innovations and new regulations will contribute to this approach. This conference presents a platform for dialogue, exchange of ideas and finding a solution that will shape the energy future. One of the key elements is exploring how the gas sector can respond to global sustainability goals and improve efficiency, safety and reliability in the production, transport, storage, distribution and supply of gas to consumers. Numerous presentations, panel discussions and roundtables will explore topics such as technological innovation, regulatory challenges, geopolitical impacts, and market trends. The gas industry and its development have a significant impact on the entire economy because gas, as an important energy source in the global energy mix, is indispensable in the energy transition. The president of the Croatian Gas Association invited Ivo Milatić, State Secretary from the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, to address the attendees and open the gathering.

State Secretary Ivo Milatić pointed out that the Republic of Croatia has invested almost 800 million euros in gas infrastructure in recent years, primarily in the LNG terminal on the island of Krk, new gas pipelines and the new Grubišno Polje underground gas storage facility, which has enabled us to avoid problems in supplying this energy source, despite the global energy crisis that occurred due to the war in Ukraine. Moreover, we have become a significant regional energy hub, and further investments in a large increase in the capacity of LNG terminals and gas pipelines will also facilitate supplying the regional market. He also announced that the Republic of Croatia, despite problems and long negotiations with other countries, will not give up on financial support and construction of the strategic Adriatic-Ionian Pipeline (IAP) through which large quantities of approx. 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas every year should arrive from the Caspian region to our gas system. The necessary permits are already in preparation, and the implementation of the project is under discussion with representatives of Albania and Montenegro, including Azerbaijan from where the gas would come. He stressed that gas would also be needed in the future for European plans involving the major decarbonisation of the energy industry, but the only question is whether there will be more natural gas in the pipelines or, over time, more hydrogen and other gases that are classified as renewable sources. He pointed out that Croatia continues with the decarbonisation of the energy industry, for which we have great potential. All new gas pipelines will be ready for hydrogen transport, and the Croatian Government will support the construction of hydrogen production plants and the use of hydrogen, for which there is an increasing interest in the EU. Furthermore, he stressed that the Croatian power grid is not yet ready to accept all initiatives for the construction of new power plants and the energy from them. At the end of his address to the gathering, State Secretary Ivo Milatic opened the 39th International Scientific and Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals.

Zsuzsanna Ortutay, President of the Management Board of INA, pointed out that INA is still the largest producer of natural gas in the region and remains very important for the security and reliability of supplies to Croatian consumers. INA produced 540 million cubic meters of gas in 2023. New large investments in exploration and production will not increase our natural gas production, but only alleviate the long-standing trend of its decline. Gas production is not only essential for the security of supply but also for the upcoming green transition. She then stressed that, in line with the energy transition, INA is investing heavily in new technologies (every fifth euro they plan to invest will go into renewable energy sources and environmental protection). She mentioned important new projects: the production of biomethane in the Sisak Refinery and green hydrogen in the Rijeka refinery, solar power plants in Virje and Sisak and geothermal research (Lešćan and Međimurje concessions). As a responsible company, INA faces major challenges in implementing these projects and a reliable regulatory framework is expected for the task. She expressed optimism about the future of the business.

President of the Plinacro Management Board, Ivica Arar, pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine and the use of Russian energy products as a form of pressure required rapid strategic adaptation to new circumstances and an increase in transport capacity. The company has done the required preparations and necessary works, which is why the Republic of Croatia is energy-stable and independent of Russian gas. The company has readily responded to expressed interest in increasing the export capacity of the LNG terminals toward Slovenia and Hungary, and is ready to increase the transport capacity to Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany. Given the need to expand the domestic pipeline network to achieve this goal, Plinacro has received 533 million euros from the Croatian Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) for the construction of four gas pipelines that will transport gas from the LNG terminal on the island of Krk to Slovenia and Hungary and neighbouring European countries. The LNG terminal on the island of Krk will increase its capacity to provide 6.1 billion cubic meters per year, thereby improving supply security for Croatia and neighbouring countries.

Antonija Glavaš, a member of the Management Board of the company Prvo plinarsko društvo, said that the gathering is an opportunity for gas companies to align themselves with the latest technological innovations and regulatory changes and jointly achieve a more sustainable energy future for Croatia. The EU operates under the imperative of reducing hydrocarbon emissions and the growing need for energy security. Despite the great support of renewable energy sources by the European administration, gas remains a necessity and a key component in the energy sector. Therefore, in the largest European countries, gas continues to be part of the strategies and will continue to be an important energy factor and the most important transition fuel. Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as other European states, continue to count on existing and planned gas thermal power plants for electricity generation in the long term. The company Prvo plinarsko društvo carefully tracks these energy trends because almost 80% of its revenues are generated abroad. Furthermore, she stressed that the trends do not diminish the importance of the commenced energy transition, nor investments in greater efficiency, the importance of innovation, the use of hydrogen and all other solutions to reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

The President of the Management Board at Siemens Energy, Boris Miljavac, emphasised that issues involving sustainable development and innovation have never been more important due to the need to transform society to use sustainable, reliable and low-carbon energy. Energy will needed more and more in the future, while consideration must also be given to having a minimal impact on the environment. Accordingly, a key challenge for energy professionals is how to increase energy production while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. He stressed that the solution lies not only in the greater use of renewable energy sources but also in the modernisation and transformation of existing energy systems, for which they offer numerous innovative solutions (especially in terms of hydrogen technologies) to meet the needs of customers and the requirements of increasingly stringent regulations.

The Technical Director of LNG Croatia Ltd., Ivan Fugaš, spoke about expanding capacities at the LNG terminal on the island of Krk in collaboration with Plinocro. The joint works in the first phase are half completed and are expected to be fully completed by the start of the 2025/2026 gas year. Additional capacity will be offered to the market at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, for which there is already much interest. Completion of the project will further improve Croatia’s supply security and the country’s role as an energy hub in this part of Europe.

The Director of the Underground Gas Storage Ltd., Vlado Vlašić, pointed out that the decision to build an underground gas storage facility in Grubišno Polje was timely and necessary in order to get another flexible gas storage facility that will complement and further optimise the operation of Underground Gas Storage Ltd. at Okoli. He also pointed out that upon completion of the first phase and ongoing exploitation of natural gas deposits, conditions will be created for continuing the project and the commissioning of a new storage facility to meet user needs, including the stability and flexibility of operations throughout the Croatian gas system, and consequently, reliable supplies to consumers.

After providing a warm welcome, Antonija Glavaš, a member of the Management Board at the company Prvo plinarsko društvo Ltd., held an introductory lecture. She said that prior to the war in Ukraine, Russian gas was used for as much as 45% of Europe’s needs. Subsequently, the European market underwent a significant transformation, driven by geopolitical changes (traditional supply routes disrupted), and liquefied natural gas (LNG) acquired first-class importance in energy supplies and flexibility of supply routes. Further infrastructural development facilitates connectivity with Southeast Europe (which is becoming an area of low gas prices). The company Prvo plinarsko društvo Ltd. supports increasing the capacity of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk and the construction of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP). Gas prices are now relatively low due to several mild winters, very good capacity levels at European storage facilities and good supply on the markets, with no major fluctuations expected. However, impacts on gas prices are possible due to the ending of the existing contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine that could stimulate demand, this year’s election in the USA leading to a possible reduction of US LNG exports, elections to the European Parliament and political pressure due to energy transition and the financial burdening of the gas industry. She advocates the thesis that gas will play an important role in the future energy mix and the commenced energy transition. Flexibility is a big advantage of gas because the most commonly used intermittent renewable sources (solar and wind farms) still cannot iron out the gap between supply and demand, which is the reason for significant and continued investments in gas power plants to meet consumer needs. At the end of the presentation, she also touched on hydrogen, which she is counting on in the future (both for use as an energy source and for energy storage), but due to its high prices, widespread use is not yet feasible.

In the next introductory talk, Marin Zovko, a member of the Management Board at INA, pointed out the great vulnerability of the gas market, and increasing prices from any disruption to gas supplies. He referred to the start of the war in Ukraine and, subsequently, multiple increases in gas prices in European markets (to more than 210 euros/MWh). Although prices have decreased significantly over time and stabilised, and consumption has recovered, INA no longer expects gas production to reach levels from the past. The company predicts an increase in consumption from households, small and medium-sized enterprises and some industries. The EU has launched accelerated construction of an LNG terminal to compensate for Russian gas and plans to increase capacity to a total of 400 billion cubic metres per year by 2030. In addition to increasing the capacity of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk and providing reliable diversification of gas supplies for Croatia and beyond, our own gas production and storage capacities are essential for supply security. He believes that natural gas is the best fuel for energy transition as it generates less emissions than other fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products, and advances in CCUS technology urther reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also mentioned that INA, in addition to gas exploration and production, has invested 500 million euros in gas and oil fields over the last five years. The company invests heavily in renewable energy sources, such as biogas, solar, and hydrogen. It intends to invest 20% of its total investments in energy transition projects in the coming years. The investment in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects for CO2 extraction from natural gas is more than 200 million dollars, with 2.3 million tons of CO2 permanently stored in the old gas fields, with the aim of increasing the production of the remaining gas supplies in the Ivanić and Žutica oilfields.

After the introductory lectures, a panel discussion was held. The moderator of the panel was Marko Biočina, and the participants were Antonija Glavaš from the company Prvo plinarsko društvo Ltd., Hrvoje Šimović from INA-Industrija nafte d. d., Assoc. Prof. Darko Pavlović, PhD., from Plinacro Ltd., Ivan Fugaš from LNG Croatia LLC and Boris Miljavac from Siemens Energy Ltd. The panellists spoke about gas prices that were extremely high. They are convinced that gas prices will continue to remain at current acceptable levels because there is enough gas, and the EU has ensured safe and reliable diversification of supply through its measures. In Croatia, the production of electricity from gas is expected at today’s level and this is the reality. In the coming period, large investments in renewable energy projects will follow, but in the next ten years, gas and oil will play a dominant role. Accordingly, the EU has commenced the construction of a large number of new LNG terminals and the expansion of capacity in existing ones (a total of 400 billion cubic metres), primarily for supply security. The green transition is considered a generational process that will last for decades, with technological development assuming a key role, given that approximately 35% of the technologies needed to make a complete transition to climate neutrality by 2050 still do not exist and are nowhere near final development. Panellists view hydrogen as the best decarbonisation factor, which also requires the highest technological standard for safe pipeline transportation. At the end of the discussion, the panellists concluded that next year, they will achieve already launched projects to pave the way to a green energy transition.

After the panel discussion, Tomislav Baketarić, from INA-Industrija nafte d. d., presented a new gas discovery at the location Veliki Rastovac near Grubišno Polje, as a potential new gas region on the mainland part of Croatia. Investigations confirmed the possibility of economically viable well production capacity and excellent reservoir characteristics, and during the test, an inflow of about 145,000 cubic metres of gas was achieved, offering the potential for new exploration facilities in the area. Laslo Farkaš Višontai, from the company Podzemno skladište plina Ltd., spoke about the production of natural gas at the Grubišno Polje exploitation field. In 2024, the plant entered regular operation, and about 270,000 cubic metres per day of natural gas is provided to the gas transmission system using the technological process of preparing gas for daily transport. In the case of maintaining the existing exploitation regime, the completion of primary gas production is planned by the end of 2026. Coinciding with the ongoing development of primary gas production, activities in achieving the second phase of the project, i.e., initial and preparatory activities for the development of the reservoir to be repurposed into an underground gas storage facility. Completion of the project and commissioning of the new underground gas storage facility is scheduled for the last quarter of 2027 at the earliest. Marin Dumančić, from HEP Proizvodnja Ltd., explained the synergy between the regulation of the gas transmission system and the power system using the example of Block C in the TE-TO Sisak Thermal Power Plant. He presented the results of analysing the possibility of simultaneous regulation for operationally managing the electricity and gas transmission system in Croatia. Marko Babić, from Siemens Energy Ltd., presented how Siemens Energy corporation offers CertaLink Clean Energy Certificates that allow monitoring the environmental impact of the entire production process, from production to end-user. Thanks to a partnership with TÜV SÜD and the German Energy Agency, the CertaLink Clean Energy Certificates bring together manufacturers, energy suppliers and customers, scheme holders, independent certification bodies and registries.

After all lecturers had completed their presentations on the respective thematic units, an interesting panel discussion was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Darko Pavlović, PhD., with the participation of Tomislav Baketarić from INA-Industrija nafte d. d., Laslo Farkaš Višontai from the company Podzemno skladište plina Ltd., Marin Dumančić from HEP Proizvodnja Ltd. and Marko Babić from Siemens Energy Ltd. Ambitious plans to discover new gas supplies and increase domestic production will result in increased investments in new exploration wells, and the underground gas storage facility in Grubišno Polje would increase by about 20% of the currently available storage operating volume, which refers to Okoli Underground Gas Storage (and the withdrawal capacity would increase by about 40% of the current capacity to withdraw from the storage system) and its main task in the storage system would be to improve operational flexibility. Although the power system and the gas transmission system are connected, their balancing and regulation take place independently. The CertaLink system connects the physical facility using distributed ledger technology (DTL). The implemented DTL eco-system is the main requirement for certificate verification, interoperability, authentication protected from unauthorised changes and portability in various industrial sectors.

Danijel Štavalj, from INA-Industrija nafte d. d., showed how CO2 recompression takes place at the ethan process plant in Ivanić-Grad, with the aim of eliminating CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and increasing the efficiency of the EOR project, i.e., increasing the extraction of oil and gas from EPU Ivanić and Žutica. Marijan Svjetličić, from Plinacro Ltd., presented an overview of the European strategic, planning and legislative framework for biomethane, with the potential for its production in Croatia. He also presented the technical prerequisites for the acceptance of biomethane into the gas transmission system. Klaus Payrhuber, PhD, presented the vision of INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG of how microgrids increase renewable energy. The volatile and unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources requires highly available balance power and solutions for resilient and stable network operation. Accordingly, decentralised gas power plants can provide reliable balance power and, at the same time, utilise waste heat for district heating or the heating of larger commercial facilities. Igor Baltić from Weishaupt-Zagreb Ltd. presented some of the alternative fuels used in supplying energy to burners in boilers on medium and/or large energy or process plants. He also gave an overview of previous research at the company, including the practical utilisation of several boilers where various alternatives are used on burners in terms of plant or animal oils, and also when using a hydrogen mixture in gas. The pumping of natural gas using a mobile pumping plant was presented by Hrvoje Rukavina from the company Macel plin Ltd. He emphasised that this practice is used during maintenance, repairs or pipeline works, where natural gas is evacuated and pumped from a specific part of the network for safety purposes when carrying out works, with the aim of reducing negative environmental impact.

The role of permanent carbon dioxide disposal in achieving net zero emissions is one of the most important issues of the gas sector with regard to a future decarbonised energy system. Lidija Božić, from the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency, presented the activities of the agency as a promoter of the Croatian project for permanent geological storage of CO2. The project was submitted in December 2022 according to the European Energy Network Regulation (TEN-E) (EU/2022/869) for inclusion in the list of energy infrastructure projects of common interest (PCI projects) in the category Priority Area for Cross-Border CO2 Networks, within the framework of the Call of the European Commission. Croatia has significant CO2 storage capacities, and given the fact that the industry needs to decarbonise its operations, the Croatian Government considers that permanent CO2 storage projects are necessary in the transitional period until the full realisation of production processes with zero emissions targets. Assoc. Prof. Luka Perković, PhD, from the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Zagreb, believes that the gas sector will face numerous technical challenges in the upcoming period of transition towards climate neutrality for national energy systems on the European continent. He presented possible scenarios for the decarbonisation of the gas sector in Croatia, with an emphasis on the specific opportunities and challenges of each scenario. Luka Dermišek, from Plinacro Ltd., presented activities on reducing methane emissions within the Croatian gas transmission system and referred to the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector and the amendment of Regulation (EU) 2019/942. Leonardo Mazzoli, from Automa S.r.l., showcased the company’s patented GOLEM technology as a smart solution for reducing fugitive emissions. This solution dynamically controls the default values of the regulator in real-time, taking into account pressure and flow. Assoc. Prof. Luka Perković, PhD., from the Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, presented a detailed analysis of thermodynamic parameters in the process of permanently disposing of carbon dioxide. An analysis of the results of the calculations was focused on identifying the key factors that affect the efficiency of the disposal process and ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Andreja Ana Lopac, from LNG CROATIA LLC, in her presentation outlined the maritime context of the LNG Terminal business on the island of Krk. The company LNG Hrvatska d.o.o., in addition to being the operator of the LNG Terminal, is also the holder of the Maritime Domain Concession Agreement and manages the area granted in the concession. The start of operations at the LNG Terminal and the arrival of the FSRU ship LNG Croatia and the LNG tanker, besides the high standards and requirements of the LNG industry, raised awareness of the required level of safety and quality of port services, improving the business of all stakeholders in the Rijeka Bay area. Mihovil Galić, from LNG CROATIA LLC, presented a model of joint use of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal on the island of Krk, which prescribes the Rules of Use of liquefied natural gas terminals, allowing terminal users to lend LNG to each other. She also presented an analysis of the terms of execution of LNG loan transactions, the necessary means of securing payments for receivables based on terminal sharing, schedules of terminal use services and allocation of gas losses at the terminal. Julie Cejkova, from the company Chart Ferox a.s. presented the cryogenic technology concept as a path to energy independence and security using small-scale LNG and entry into the hydrogen economy. She pointed out that a small-scale LNG facility is an excellent tool for addressing the energy trilemma and finding a balance between accessibility, supply security and emission reduction, according to which the company is continuously developing a virtual pipeline model created for liquid gases and, in particular, LNG, applicable to hydrogen as well.

The digital transformation of the gas and energy sectors in the era of decarbonisation is a continuous development process. Marko Grbić, from LNG CROATIA LLC, held a lecture on the development of cybersecurity IT and OT infrastructure at the LNG terminal on the island of Krk. Operational and information technologies are two different aspects of the technological framework in organisations. IT and OT infrastructures have common points, but they must also be optimised and well-monitored to take advantage of synergy and achieve greater efficiency. Assoc. Prof. Mihael Mišo Mudrić, PhD., from the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, explained the application of the Regulation on Artificial Intelligence to the energy sector. He believes that certain AI systems already in use in the energy sector will certainly fall into a high-risk category, meaning that the energy sector in the next two years will need to invest certain effort in developing new measures and mechanisms, i.e., compliance with EU law. Luka Klancir, from Feromihin Ltd., showcased innovations in asset management in the gas and oil industry through predictive analytics, maintenance strategy and digitalisation, which the company offers. In particular, he stressed the importance of asset management in the oil and gas sector as essential for operational efficiency, safety and profitability, given the industry’s dependence on complex, high-value assets. Ivan Juras, from GDi Ltd., pointed to new perspectives of managing gas infrastructure through digital transformation. The view is that critical infrastructure is a key component of preserving the stability, security and functionality of the delivery of services and energy products. He presented practical examples of implementation in energy entities in Croatia.

Marko Zrno, from the company Končar Inženjering Ltd., presented cathode protection and protection of pipelines against electromagnetic influences from the Plinacro ee-facility. Compared to past times, and thanks to technological developments, the work of cathodic protection in real-time can be monitored, and a response in case of anomalies is possible. Accordingly, he referred to the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) PROZANET system for monitoring and controlling the operation of cathodic protection. Berislav Pavlović, PhD, from Zagreb Gasworks Ltd., gave a lecture on laboratory comparative measurements of gas flow with G6 diaphragmatic gas meters ranging from 0.04 m3/h to 10 m3/h. Measurements were taken at six flows and atmospheric air pressure. The revitalisation of the communication equipment in Plinacro’s remote sensing system was presented by Ivan Krapić from the company Končar Inženjering Ltd. He described in detail the field activities, the replacement of old devices with new ones at the location, including functional testing of information and verification of the data itself in the GEMALogic system. The European Commission’s Green Deal, which aims to achieve climate neutrality for the EU by 2050, has greatly focused attention on the issue of methane emissions. The reduction of methane emissions during the functional inspection of gas pressure control stations, as practised for years by German distribution system operators (DSO), was shown by Jan Sietsma from Macel plin Ltd. He showed a reduction in methane emissions using the PLEXOR inspection system. The development and use of the SCADA system in the management of the gas transmission system in Croatia were explained by Josip Jovanovac from Plinacro Ltd. in his presentation. He highlighted Plinacro’s key role in managing the gas transmission system to ensure the security of gas supplies in Croatia. He presented a brief overview of the historical development and use of the SCADA system at Plinacro, and then the modernisation and development of the Simone system for assessing the real state of pipelines (and upgraded with functionalities for the preparation of the gas transport plan for current and subsequent gas days and for storing, drafting and preparing the calculation of archived gas days). The assessment of the dynamic interference of pipeline wandering currents near two metro rails was shown by Jinhua Li from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University in Shanghai. He presented the results of the conducted analysis, i.e., how gas pipelines are cathodically protected against stray currents caused by railway traffic, mitigate the corrosive effect of the pipelines and ensure pipeline safety.

Following the mentioned group of lectures, a panel discussion was held, moderated by the president of the Croatian Gas Association, Assoc. Prof. Dalibor Pudić, PhD., with the participation of Goran Babić from the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (HERA), Dean Gnjidić from E.ON Croatia Ltd., Nenad Hranilović from Međimurje-Plin Ltd. and Srećko Ezgeta from Bjelovar Gasworks Ltd., In the introductory part of the panel discussion, representatives of gas distributors warned of the perennial problem of losses incurred by gas distributors operating due to tariffs becoming insufficient to keep pace with the increase in real costs of maintaining the gas system and overall business. Distributors have doubts about how to further plan and operate strategically in relation to the EU policy on the abolition of gas in 2040 (though gas consumers must have the technical security of using gas). Goran Babić stressed that gas distributors can apply to HERA for tariff correction due to the Regulation which until recently prevented it but is no longer in force. Also, HERA will consider the issue of depreciation life for investments in gas infrastructure. The President of the Croatian Gas Association, Assoc. Prof. Dalibor Pudić, PhD., expressed the readiness of the Croatian Gas Association (CGA) to organise an all-day round table after the meeting in Opatija, to find a solution to the issue and to which the relevant participants from the Ministry, HERA and gas distributors would be invited. At the end of the discussion, the panellists concluded and expressed confidence that, regardless of EU directives, gas will be used beyond 2040 in both households and industry, and many consumers will continue to maintain and use gas appliances in the long run.

Danijel Bukša, from the company Siemens Energy Ltd., presented the functionality capability of a hydrogen-powered gas turbine, i.e., a system for mixing and injecting hydrogen. He believes that gas turbines will play an important role in the energy transition by ensuring a reliable supply of electricity and decarbonising energy production through the use of low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen. He described in detailed the Siemens Energy Mixing Skid (MXS), designed to inject hydrogen into a natural gas stream. Robert Serec, from White hydrogen Ltd., presented the White Hydrogen Coalition Platform and the production of green hydrogen by implementing the project in Ogulin. He presented the work of a mobile hydrogen production plant where the raw input material is plastic waste, thus directly contributing to environmental protection and the circular economy. Dalibor Veseli, from HEP Toplinarstvo Ltd., held a lecture on the use of hybrid renewable energy sources for the decarbonisation of the energy industry. He pointed out that successfully transitioning towards zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 requires changing the current way of valuing and using heat energy while also encouraging the use of renewable sources, where hydrogen is intended to take the lead. Bruno Lacković, from Zagreb Gasworks Ltd., analysed the unresolved issues of hydrogen use in gas distribution systems. He pointed to the complexity of decarbonising gas systems, which is why he does not believe in quick solutions. He also presented an overview of the most important experiences so far in applying renewable hydrogen to solve this issue and all currently known applications of hydrogen for this purpose (including those rejected as irrational, such as direct distribution of hydrogen instead of natural gas).

The projection of the green transitioning of charging stations to compressed natural gas in the future was presented by Krešimir Marijanović from the company Brod-plin Ltd. The distribution system operator, Brod-plin Ltd., started an ambitious project five years ago to transform the vehicle fleet from conventional fuels to compressed natural gas. Igor Marjanović, from the Center for Vehicles of Croatia d. d. presented the state of the vehicle fleet in Croatia and natural gas-powered vehicles. He briefly described the scope of work of the Center for Vehicles of Croatia d. d. and a profile analysis of the vehicle fleet based on vehicle types registered in Croatia. Also presented was an overview of the average age of the fleet by vehicle categories in the last ten years and the number of registered vehicles in Croatia powered by gas. Vladimir Pelić, PhD, showed the use of gas and hydrogen in maritime transport. Today, natural gas is used in maritime transport in significant quantities, such as LNG, due to appropriate technical and technological solutions. As the requirements to reduce CO2 emissions become even higher, an overview of hydrogen-based technologies was also given. In conclusion, he defined the applicability of natural gas as an acceptable solution in the transition period leading up to the time when hydrogen will be positioned as a propellant.

After this group of lectures, a panel discussion was moderated by Davor Matić, MSc, with the participation of Krešimir Marijanović from Brod-plin Ltd., Igor Marjanović from the Center for Vehicles of Croatia d. d. and Vladimir Pelić, PhD, from the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka. At the beginning of the panel discussion, Davor Matić, MSc, gave a brief introduction and informed the conference participants about the current state of gas in the EU, where, in addition to more than 4,200 CNG charging stations, there are 720 LNG charging stations for motor vehicle. Natural gas has definitely found its market niche in the segment of heavy-duty vehicles, trucks and buses. He also referred to the recently adopted revised Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, the revision of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which has also been extended to the road transport system, and recent measures to reinforce binding targets to reduce carbon emissions from new heavy goods vehicles and buses with a 90% reduction from 2040, and adopted by the European Parliament. In the discussion, the panellists expressed a unique position on natural gas as an ideal fuel in the transition period, both in road and maritime transport. There is a great perspective in using biogas in road transport, in fact, because Croatia will have its own production. Increasingly strict fuel quality standards are in favour of developing the use of hydrogen in transport, for which the Center for Vehicles of Croatia d. d. will be prepared in terms of vehicle approvals. The use of hydrogen in maritime transport requires further technological developments. At the end of the discussion, the panellists concluded that the construction of the necessary infrastructure of filling stations in Croatia is still crucial for greater gas consumption in transport, especially along transit corridors. Regardless of the major incentives the EU invests in electromobility, it does not pose serious competition in the coming years.

Vlatka Kos Grabar Robina and Danijel Golja, from the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar, presented the Energy Balance of Natural Gas in the Republic of Croatia in 2022. A comprehensive overview of the energy situation in terms of natural gas in Croatia in a compact format, including the energy supply and consumption of the entire economy as well as individual sectors, was given. Attorney-at-law Petra Šantić, LL.M., presented an overview and analysis of the new legal framework of the European Union for granting state aid in the field of energy, with special reference to the categories of environmental measures on the basis of which state aid can be compatible with the internal market under specific conditions. Competition policy, and in particular state aid rules, play an important role in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and the European Union’s transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. Marko Ivandić, from Plinacro Ltd., presented the implementation of the project of building a solar power plant on the company’s administrative building. As the gas transmission system operator, Plinacro Ltd. has recognised the need for active involvement in initiatives and projects that promote corporate social responsibility and contribute to the energy transition. Berislav Pavlović, PhD, from Zagreb Gasworks Ltd., explained the impact of the method of calculating consumption to protect consumers in gas distribution systems. Šime Dujmović Maruna, from the Law Firm Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko and Partners Ltd., in cooperation with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz, presented an analysis of the proposal of the Directive on Common Rules for the Internal Markets in Renewable and Natural Gases and in Hydrogen. He also referred to the analysis of LNG and storage rules and the new rules on the unbundling of transmission system operators (unbundling of dedicated hydrogen network operators).

At the end of the big three-day meeting, the president of the Croatian Gas Association, Assoc. Prof. Dalibor Pudić, PhD., thanked the patrons, main partners, sponsors, co-organisers, media sponsors, lecturers, companies that leased exhibition units, media representatives and all other participants of the event for their support and contribution to making the conference a success. He presented data on attendance at this year’s conference and exhibition. In particular, he stressed the necessary role of natural gas in the process of decarbonisation in the transition period, for which there is still no alternative. He noted that the gas sector must adapt to the new guidelines to welcome a low-carbon future readily.

The next jubilee 40th International Scientific and Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals will be held on 7-9 May 2025 in Opatija.