National Institute of Chemistry Presented Key Achievements of the HyBReED Programme
Photo: Nace Boskovič
Ljubljana/Zagorje ob Savi, June 2026 – National Institute of Chemistry, together with partners, presented in June key achievements of the research and innovation programme HyBReED – Development of Resilient Chemical Energy Storage with Hydrogen and Batteries, which coordinated as the lead partner in cooperation with numerous Slovenian research organisations and companies. The programme, focused on developing sustainable solutions for the production, storage and use of hydrogen and batteries in energy-intensive industries, concludes in June 2026, with its results presented at two important events.
Photo: Nace Boskovič
The first event took place on 10 June 2026 at the Cankarjev dom Club in Ljubljana, where the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency ARIS, in cooperation with SPIRIT Slovenia, organised the event From Proof of Concept to Prototype and Beyond. The event was dedicated to presenting experiences, challenges and good practices in connecting research organisations and companies in the joint development of technological solutions, with a focus on programmes funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan at TRL levels 3-6: DIGITOP, GREENTECH, HyBReED and PoVeJMo.
In the introductory part of the event, ARIS Director Tjaša Dobnik highlighted the importance of the experience gained through the implementation of Recovery and Resilience Plan measures for shaping new instruments for co-financing innovation activities and for the further development of the agency. SPIRIT Slovenia deputy director Mag. Nataša Kos pointed out that the path from a validated concept to a market-ready product is demanding and long-term, which is why development projects require support at multiple levels. Dr Tomaž Boh, Director-General of the Directorate for Science and Innovation at the competent ministry, emphasised the importance of broad cooperation among all stakeholders.
The programmes presented demonstrated that Slovenian consortia successfully connect research excellence with the needs of the economy. During the roundtable discussions, participants addressed key issues in the innovation process, ranging from partnership formation and intellectual property management to financing in critical development phases and support for market entry. Special attention was also given to medium technology readiness levels, where access to financial resources is often limited, which can significantly affect the further development and commercialisation of solutions.
Photo: Nace Boskovič
The event also included three roundtables. HyBReED representatives participated in the second roundtable, which focused on financing development projects: Blaž Likozar from the National Institute of Chemistry and Tilen Sever from Steklarna Hrastnik. Participants emphasised that a successful transition from a development concept to practical application requires various forms of support, from public calls and incentives to private sources of financing. They also pointed out that companies need to assess market potential already in the early stages of development, as this significantly guides further technological and business decisions. Cooperation between industry partners and research organisations is crucial, which is why they welcomed the recently launched new instrument, the SPS innovation voucher.
Photo: NIC
The achievements of the HyBReED programme were also presented the following day, on 11 June 2026, at the International Symposium on Batteries and Hydrogen in Zagorje ob Savi, which also hosted the programme’s closing event. The event presented the programme’s key results, linking research and industrial applications in the fields of hydrogen technologies, batteries and energy. In this way, HyBReED further highlighted the importance of cooperation between research institutions and industry in developing solutions that can contribute to more efficient energy use, reduced emissions and greater resilience of the energy system.
The purpose of the programme was to strengthen Slovenia’s energy sector by developing methods for the efficient production, storage and use of hydrogen, and by upgrading the potential of hydrogen and batteries for use in energy-intensive industries. Its objective was to improve existing sustainable solutions, products and processes for the energy sector, including technologies for the production, transport, storage and utilisation of energy. The programme connected leading Slovenian stakeholders in the fields of hydrogen technologies, batteries, renewable energy sources, steel, aluminium, glass and electronics, and contributed to the goals of the green transition and climate neutrality. The HyBReED programme ran from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2026 and was funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The total value of the programme amounted to 4,769,890.38 EUR, with co-financing totalling 3,749,491.90 EUR. The consortium was led by the National Institute of Chemistry and included 14 additional partners from the research and business sectors.
With June’s presentations, the National Institute of Chemistry and its partners demonstrated that the HyBReED programme has made an important contribution to research and development within Slovenia’s innovation ecosystem in the fields of hydrogen technologies, batteries and the industrial green transition. The two events confirmed that long-term partnerships, appropriate financing, thoughtful management of knowledge and intellectual property, and close cooperation between science, industry and the support environment are key to successfully transferring research achievements into practice.
More about the programme >> https://www.ki.si/odseki/odsek-za-katalizo-in-reakcijsko-inzenirstvo/hybreed/
"Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU"