Progress reported at the Consortium meeting in Nova Gorica (Part I)
Nova Gorica, 11th November 2025
Five NACHIP pilots report progress as the initiative evolves into its second year. Pilots led by DOK-ING, ECUBES and Faber are in the advanced stage of their implementation and are getting ready for the next stage, in which they will work in the integration in related value chains, also in cooperation with new partners selected for Cascade Funding.
Matija Pavlovčič, NACHIP Coordinator, IJS, Maja Ferlinc, Project Officer, EISMEA and Tomislav Pinter, DG Regio
Photo: C. J
Gasification plant for waste materials, a pilot led by DOK-ING, a Zagreb-based manufacturer of unmanned vehicles, electric vehicles, and robotic systems, focuses on enhancing a prototype gasification plant for non-recyclable waste materials. A universal gasification system is designed to process municipal solid waste (MSW) and convert it into valuable products by separating components of synthesis gas (syngas) and charred residue (ash), which can be further utilised. Through this pilot, DOK-ING aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of hydrogen technologies in urban and industrial contexts. By collaborating with leading organisations across the North Adriatic region, the company seeks to showcase the feasibility and scalability of hydrogen-based solutions while reinforcing its position as a pioneer in sustainable technological progress.
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Hydrogen Use in urban Areas is being piloted in Velenje, Slovenia, The project is a comprehensive initiative to generate and efficiently utilise renewable energy based on hydrogen in urban areas. The implementation a local hydrogen system for a heating system of a multifunctional building hosting a fire station and offices in Velenje is led by ECUBES and supported by ETRA, the Municipality of Velenje and KSSENA, the regional energy agency. The initial project design has gotten an important enhancement, as the partners of this local hydrogen alliance are expanding its scope towards the demonstration of viability of a future district heating system with its main components: storage, local distribution and conversions. Filip Margan reported that the City of Velenje may benefit from the pilot by receiving an industrial scale, hydrogen-facilitated heating system in a few years.
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The pilot aiming to design a new, cost-efficient hydrogen transportation cylinder in Civdale del Friuli (Italy) is led by Faber Industrie, S. p. a. The goal is to develop composite designs for cost-efficient hydrogen transportation cylinders with the focus is on improving vessel designs to enhance the mobility of energy storage, reducing costs while ensuring the safe and efficient transport of compressed hydrogen.
Currently, the new cylinder design is in the optimisation phase, when high-performance fibres have been tested, particularly with regard to price-performance criteria. The most cost-effective fibre in terms of performance has been selected to design the first prototypes. Faber has completed the definition of the optimal service pressure for the cylinders, while the selection of the technology for the liner production and an in-depth study of glass fibre reinforcement is still ongoing. The design has been successfully verified through burst testing, and the optimization process will continue in iterative loops, improving the winding pattern and validating it through further testing.
A preliminary simulation for the full-scale tank (approximately 1,500 litre) and a tentative trailer layout have already been completed. The trailer study will be updated once the cylinder design is finalised after the optimisation phase. So far, Faber’s new cylinder design is proving to be both efficient and cost-effective, marking a significant innovation in the compressed hydrogen transport sector.
Photo: C. J
