With a choice that could rewrite the rules of sustainable energy and waste management, the city of vinkovci, located in the eastern part of Croatia, has launched an initiative called ZEMC (Zero Emission Mobility Hall) H2. With an investment of approximately 48 million euros, the project aims to transform domestic and natural waste into green hydrogen. Yes, you read that right: waste that once ended up in landfill could now power your buses and heat your homes, all without emitting a gram of CO2.
The deputy mayor of Vinkovci, Josip Romic, says the project will not only solve the problem of waste accumulation due to a lack of recycling infrastructure, but could also help reduce the price of public transport and heating bills. Vinkovci will be a place where waste will no longer be a problem, but a solution.
Green hydrogen vs gray hydrogen
One more little recap (even if all the comments on this topic will come, on social media, from people who won't even have opened this article). Most of the hydrogen used in the EU today is produced from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. Gray hydrogen. L'green hydrogen, however, is produced by renewable energy, and is at the center of the Croatian city's initiative. If you want to learn more about the processes behind the production of green hydrogen from waste, you can learn more research like this.
A step forward for Europe
It's not just a local issue. Vinkovci is ready to join the consortium North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, a cross-border initiative involving Croatia, Italy and Slovenia. The target? Over the project's six-year lifespan, major industrial players from all three nations will develop 17 pilot initiatives to produce more than 5 tons of green hydrogen per year. It seems like a good starting point to me, then everything will also depend on the strategic choices of individual countries.
In conclusion, the Vinkovci initiative is a clear example of how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. Analyzes show that by 2050 green hydrogen will be produced from renewable energy sources will be among the protagonists. It could cover 20-50% of traffic energy needs and 5-20% of industrial consumption. With the right methods, our waste could one day power public transport or heat homes.
