Program 2025

Program

08:00 – 09:00
Registration and Welcome Coffee
08:30 – 09:00
Media Statements
09:00 – 09:10
Welcome Words
  • Jelica Putniković , editor, Balkan Energy
  • Prof. Dr. Vladimir Popović , Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
09:10 – 09:30
Official Opening
  • Dušan Živković , General Director, Electric Power Company of Serbia
  • Plamena Halacheva , deputy head of the EU delegation in the Republic of Serbia
  • Predrag Grujičić , Head of the Gas Unit, Secretariat of the Energy Community
  • Rade Mrdak , Advisor to the Minister for Renewable Energy Sources, Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia
09:30 – 09:45
Introduction to the conference day
  • Japan’s Hydrogen Strategy , H.E. Akira Imamura, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia
09:45 – 10:00
Introduction to Panel I

PPT presentation:
North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley , Aleksander Gerbec, founder and director, Ecubes , Slovenia

10:00 – 11:00
Panel I

The panel explores the concept of Hydrogen Valley – integrated ecosystems for the production, storage and use of green hydrogen. The introductory part will explain the basic principles and importance of such projects for the energy transition and decarbonization of the industry.
Experts will analyze in detail the development process of a Hydrogen Valley project, including infrastructure requirements, technological capacities and key resources needed for its realization. A special focus will be on the identification of potential in Serbia – from renewable energy sources to industrial and logistical opportunities.
In conclusion, we consider specific locations and isolated energy systems that have the greatest potential to host the first Hydrogen Valley project in Serbia, with recommendations for further development and institutional support.

Moderator: Nebojša Lapčević, director of risk management, EPS

Panelists:

  • Jovica Budimir , executive director for investments, Srbijagas
  • Jozsef Szuper , General Manager, ENASCO Capital Ltd
  • Slobodan Cvetković, PhD , senior research associate, director of the Center for Ecology and Technoeconomics, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade
  • Prof. Miloš Banjac, PhD , professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade
11:15 – 11:35
Coffee break and networking
11:35 – 12:50
Panel II

Do hydrogen production facilities, as controllable consumption, represent a balancing reserve resource?
Can hydrogen facilities compensate for the balancing reserve shortfall identified in the Adequacy Analysis?
Can hydrogen facilities provide new capacity for secondary reserve ancillary services, as a condition for exemption from delaying the connection of new VRES to Serbia’s power system?
Can hydrogen address the challenges of balancing the energy system?
Is hydrogen an energy carrier or merely a medium for electricity storage?
Can hydrogen be one of the solutions to electricity price volatility caused by VRES?
Can hydrogen technologies exist independently, or is their integration into other industries necessary?
What cross-sector collaborations between hydrogen and other industries are realistic, expected, and already established?

Moderator: Dušan Macura , head of the sector for production and distribution of thermal energy, Novi Sad heating plant

Panelists:

  • Bojan Bogdanović, Specialist for energy efficiency and green buildings, EBRD
  • Nenad Šijaković, advisor to the general director for international and regulatory issues, EMS
  • Dušan Vlaisavljević , Head of the Energy Market and Energy Analysis Team, Electric Power Coordination Center (EKC)
  • Mladen Apostolović, senior manager for portfolio and renewable energy sources, Energy Financing Team (EFT)
  • Aleksandar Latinović , Head of System Services, EPS
12:50 – 13:50
Lunch & Networking
13:50 – 14:05
Introduction to Panel III

PTT presentation
Funds and financing of hydrogen technologies and development of legislation in energy, industry and transport – Gligo Vuković, project manager, EU Delegation in Serbia

14:05 – 15:20
Panel III

How to secure capital for the development of the hydrogen economy and what are the key sources of financing? The panel will explore available investment models, including public and private funds, EU programs and innovative financial instruments for hydrogen projects, as well as a view on the development of hydrogen
projects from the perspective of the economy.
Strategies for attracting investments, analysis of return on invested funds, as well as key challenges and risks accompanying hydrogen financing will also be discussed.
The panel will also investigate legislation that should support the development of hydrogen technologies.

Moderator: Miloš Erić, Senior Manager, PwC

Panelists:

  • Dimitrije Knjeginjić , Director, Lafarge Serbia
  • Filip Marković , Local Climate Expert Climate Partnership, KfW Development Bank
  • Pavle Milekić, expert in RES financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD
  • Jovana Joksimović , Assistant Minister, Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia
15:20 – 15:25
Panelist Transition
15:25 – 15:40
Introduction to Panel IV

CHANG-HOO OH, Senior Manager, H2 & Smart Business Department Hydrogen Business Office / Global Hydrogen & Energy Business Section, KHNP

15:40 – 16:40
Panel IV

How are new technologies shaping the future of hydrogen in industry? The panel will explore the latest innovations in hydrogen production, storage and transport, as well as its application in various sectors – from energy and transport to
industrial processes.
Through the analysis of current projects and studies, technical challenges, regulatory frameworks and potential for commercialization will be discussed.
of hydrogen technologies. A special focus will be on industrial solutions that can accelerate the transition to a sustainable and competitive hydrogen economy.

Moderator: Jasmina Trbović , Head of the Department for Dual Education and Lifelong Learning, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce

Panelists:

  • Matthias Predojević, Vice President for Corporate Development, Elixir Group
  • Tomo Martinović , director, Go2Power
  • Lazar Radovanović , Business Development Manager, Siemens Energy Serbia
  • Slobodan Nikolić, Technical support specialist, Toyota Serbia
  • CHANG-HOO OH, Senior Manager, H2 & Smart Business Department Hydrogen Business Office / Global Hydrogen & Energy Business Section, KHNP
16:40
Cocktail & Networking