Ohmium International has announced its collaboration with IVICOM to equip Croatia’s first green hydrogen project. This project will be located at INA’s Rijeka refinery and will use Ohmium’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, combined with a new solar power plant. This facility aims to decarbonize the refinery and provide sustainable fuel for Croatia’s growing transport market. The initiative is supported by the Croatian government’s recovery and resilience plan, which includes measures to improve the sustainability and diversity of energy supplies for EU members. This initiative is also in line with Croatia’s national hydrogen strategy, which calls for the installation of 70 MW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030 and a ramp-up to 2,750 MW by 2050 to achieve climate neutrality.
Project objectives and impact
The 10 MW green hydrogen project at the Rijeka refinery represents a concerted effort to align the country’s energy infrastructure with the EU’s decarbonization objectives. By integrating a solar power plant, the project aims to produce green hydrogen to reduce the refinery’s carbon emissions and provide a clean, sustainable alternative for the Croatian transport sector.
Dinko Čondić, Chairman of IVICOM’s Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of the synergy between IVICOM’s engineering expertise and Ohmium’s PEM electrolysis technology for the successful completion of the project. “This partnership is in line with our vision of prioritizing green projects and green hydrogen innovation for a sustainable future,” he said.
Advanced technologies for a sustainable future
Ohmium International is recognized for the design, manufacture and deployment of modular, scalable PEM electrolyzers that enable competitive green hydrogen production. Ohmium ‘s PEM technology is particularly well suited to combining with renewable energy sources such as solar power, maximizing the efficiency and sustainability of hydrogen production projects.
Arne Ballantine, Ohmium CEO, said: “The green hydrogen installation at the Rijeka refinery will be a prime example of the green transition in Europe. Ohmium is delighted to be working with leaders such as IVICOM and INA on this pioneering project. Our PEM electrolyzers are particularly well-suited to combining with solar energy, thereby promoting the decarbonization of refineries and green transport.”
The plant’s ability to store solar energy and convert it into hydrogen will provide a stable and reliable source of energy, even during periods of low sunlight. This flexibility is crucial to meeting fluctuating energy demand and ensuring continuous, efficient production of green hydrogen.
Support and financing
The project receives financial support from the European Union’s recovery and resilience program, which aims to strengthen the sustainability and energy security of member states. This funding is essential to cover the initial costs of implementing green hydrogen technologies and to ensure the long-term economic viability of the project. In addition, the initiative contributes to Croatia’s climate objectives, by aligning its energy infrastructure with EU sustainability standards. The Croatian government, in collaboration with the EU, is implementing incentives to encourage the development of similar projects across the country, thus promoting a comprehensive and sustainable energy transition.
The green hydrogen project at the Rijeka refinery represents a significant step forward in Croatia’s energy transition. By combining Ohmium’s technological expertise with IVICOM’s engineering capabilities, this pioneering project demonstrates how strategic collaborations can accelerate industrial decarbonization and promote sustainable energy solutions. With initiatives like this one, Croatia is at the forefront of energy innovation in Europe, contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
