Conference on Innovations in Sustainable Energy in the Era of Decarbonisation and Green Hydrogen Held in Novi Sad
On December 3rd, 2024, a conference on innovations in sustainable energy in the era of decarbonisation and green hydrogen was held at the Amphitheatre of the Science and Technology Park in Novi Sad.
The event was organised by Color Media Events in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. The conference was moderated by Žikica Milošević from Color Media Events, who opened the event and introduced the panel participants to the audience.
The opening speeches were delivered by Boris Novaković, Vice President of the Assembly of Vojvodina, who emphasised that the future of environmental protection depends on upcoming generations. “It is essential that everyone, from local authorities to international partners, works together on sustainable energy solutions. Through international cooperation, we can achieve long-term goals in energy efficiency and make Vojvodina an environmentally renowned region,” Novaković stated.
Dr Nenad Ivanišević, Provincial Secretary for Economy and Tourism of Vojvodina, welcomed the guests and panellists, announcing that Vojvodina will become the first region in the Balkans to provide non-refundable grants of one mil. dinars for purchasing electric or hybrid cars following the adoption of the provincial budget on 17 December.
“Those involved in tourism can apply for up to 2,5 mil. dinars in grants for purchasing electric or hybrid vehicles. The idea is to support individuals wishing to embrace alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, with the full backing of the provincial government,” Ivanišević said.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Serbia, H.E. Charlote Sammelin, addressed the attendees, discussing the importance of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Sweden and international cooperation in sustainable energy between the two nations. “I would like to say a few words about Sweden and Serbia. In three years, we will celebrate 110 years of diplomatic relations, reflecting a long and friendly relationship evident in the Serbian diaspora in Sweden, where around 1,080 Serbs reside. It is also important to highlight the significance of economic cooperation, as we have about 200 companies in Serbia that bring innovations, create sustainable practices, and focus on local economic development,” stated Ambassador Sammelin.
Through international cooperation, we can achieve long-term goals in energy efficiency and make Vojvodina an environmentally renowned region
This was followed by a panel discussion featuring experts in sustainable energy, including: Jasmina Grbović Novaković, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy and Renewable Energy Sources at the Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, Slobodan Cvetković, Head of the Centre for Ecology and Techno-Economics at the Institute for Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, Ivan Pantelić, Director of the Novi Sad City Energy Agency, Miljan Radunović, Solution Engineer at the Centre for Competence of Industrial Solutions, Siemens Energy, Bojan Erak, Intesa Leasing, Filip Marković, KfW Development Bank. The panel discussion, led by moderator Žikica Milošević, focused on the importance and extraction of white hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
Jasmina Grbović Novaković from the Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča” was particularly active on this topic. “Over the past two to three years, intensive geological research has shown that certain geological formations can produce hydrogen energy. In Serbia, the ‘Vinča’ Institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Geology, agreed a year ago that our goal is to explore the potential for white hydrogen in Serbia. The key feature of white hydrogen is that there is no need to produce it—it is naturally available,” explained Grbović Novaković.