Fakultet tehničkih nauka

EU Interreg DANUBE TRANSNATIONAL PROGRAMME

<eng> The Danube Transnational Programme is a financing instrument of the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), better known as Interreg. ETC is one of the goals of the European Union cohesion policy and provides a framework for the implementation of joint actions and policy exchanges between national, regional and local actors from different Member States.
 
The Danube Transnational Programme (DTP) promotes economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Danube Region through policy integration in selected fields. In order to achieve a higher degree of territorial integration of the very heterogeneous Danube region, the transnational cooperation programme acts as a policy driver and pioneer to tackle common challenges and needs in specific policy fields where transnational cooperation is expected to deliver tangible results.
Considering its geographical coverage, this highly complex programme provides a political dimension to transnational cooperation which is unique in Europe, successfully facing challenges such as ensuring good mechanisms to contract partners who receive funding from different EU instruments.
 
The Danube Transnational Programme finances projects for the development and practical implementation of policy frameworks, tools and services and concrete small-scale pilot investments. Strong complementarities with the broader EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) are sought. </eng>

<eng>Analyzing and promoting energy storage solutions, developing tools to mitigate the intermittency of RES, contributing to an accelerated transition to renewable energy and more balanced electrical grids  
Store More

Lead partner: Mr. Jenő Szécsi – Békéscsaba, City of County Rank, Hungary

Project partners: Lead Partner Békéscsaba, City of County Rank  Hungary; University of Pannonia,Hungary;BSC, Business support Centre, Kranj, Slovenija; Elektro Gorenjska, Kranj, Slovenia; Association for responsible urban development andcommunication Sankt Florian, Austria; Center for Energy, Energy Efficiency and Environment Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;Innovation Centre of the Usti Region Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; Oradea Metropolitan Area Intercommunity Developmen Association Oradea, Romania; Municipality of Fuchstal Fuchstal-Leeder, Germany;Municipal District Prague 3,Praha 3, Czech Republic; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Energy, Power Engineering andEnvironment Zagreb, Croatia; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Technical Sciences Novi Sad, Serbia; Science and Technology Park Montenegro  Podgorica, Montenegro.

Project budget:2.178.580 EUR
Project duration: 01.01.2024.-30.06.2026.
Project webpage: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/storemore

About the project:
Energy storage is key to unlocking renewable power’s full potential. Our groundbreaking project targets the critical challenge of energy storage within the Danube Region, specifically focusing on the environmental impacts of current storage methods and the need for more sustainable alternatives. Under the framework of the EUSDR Action Plan 2.1, our project is dedicated to assisting each country in the region in meeting its national targets by 2030, contributing to the European Union’s ambitious goal of achieving 30% renewable energy usage by the same year, while adhering to the National Emission Ceilings. Strategic Direction & Envisaged Achievements: Our project’s strategic direction is to expedite the transition towards a renewable energy-based economy in the Danube Region by enhancing energy storage capacities to alleviate the intermittency of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and push towards a more balanced electricity grid. This is a pressing need as increasing the share of RES in electricity production requires a more balanced supply of these energy sources. This balance is only achievable through a diversified portfolio of electricity storage options. Today, lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used method for storing electricity, with pumped hydro storage being another option in certain cases. However, lithium-ion batteries carry substantial environmental burdens. Their production process involves mining raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which leads to habitat destruction, water pollution, and increased carbon emissions. Moreover, these batteries, when improperly disposed of, can lead to soil and water contamination. According to IEA World Energy Outlook 2022 Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing storage technology in the world. Relative to current levels, demand for lithium for battery storage systems rises most sharply, by over 20-fold by 2030 and almost 50-fold by 2050 in the NZE (Net Zero Emissions by 2050) Scenario. However, while almost 85% of the battery manufacturing capacity needed in the NZE Scenario in 2030 is already in place or in the pipeline, the lithium supply chain faces a much bigger stretch. Announced capacity expansions and potential new projects would increase current production capacity three-and-a-half-times, but another tripling of current capacity would be required to meet the level seen in the NZE Scenario in 2030. In line with expert predictions mentioned above and in Section C.2, we expect that the supply of raw materials for these conventional batteries will struggle to meet the ever-increasing demand, which will lead to lithium scarcity and sharp price increases. These circumstances underline the urgent need for more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Our project is focused on developing and promoting these alternatives. We are committed to researching, developing, and implementing novel, sustainable technologies that promise a much smaller environmental impact than traditional batteries. Proposed Outputs and Beneficiaries: Our project will yield two significant outputs. First, we’ll provide a ready-made selection of scalable and modular options for alternative electricity storage that are not only effective but also environmentally responsible. Alongside this, we’ll deliver a modelling tool for planning energy storage systems equipped with these innovative, eco-friendly solutions, tailored to meet the needs and parameters of RES operators. Secondly, we will offer a Renewable Energy Sources (RES) optimisation tool that leverages the yet underutilised potential of Artificial Intelligence applications in renewable energy combined with energy storage. These initiatives will primarily benefit RES operators, enabling them to manage energy more efficiently and sustainably, contributing to a more eco-friendly, renewable energy-based economy. Transnational Approach and Novelty of the Project: Given the global nature of climate change and energy challenges, a cooperative, transnational approach is paramount. Our project stands out in its integration of AI applications within the RES domain – a pioneering approach that is not commonly seen in the current scenario. By transcending conventional energy storage methods and weaving AI into the RES sector, we aim to create a new standard for renewable energy management. We are committed to pushing the envelope of what’s possible in renewable energy, offering an innovative, environmentally-friendly solution for the future of energy in the Danube Region.

Contact person: Filip Kulić
Period of realization: 2024-2026
ID: DRP0200271</eng>

<eng>The main objective of the AQUATIC PLASTIC project is to use growing knowledge to significantly reduce riverine litter within water catchment areas like the Danube River Basin (DRB). The project will deliver several outputs, including solutions to cost-efficiently assess microplastic contamination of rivers, solution for managing and recycling large waste deposits collected at HPPs; a software to monitor potential infiltration points; a proactive stakeholder group, the RiverSaver Participatory Platform to enhance water quality in the DRB; a policy advocacy package for the upcoming update of the DRBMP to address riverine litter. By focusing on the largest accumulations of riverine plastic and the empowerment of stakolders, the AQUATIC PLASTIC project aims to achieve significant improvements in river water quality.

Contact person:  Prof. dr Dejan Ubavin
Period of realization: 2024 – 2026
ID: DRP0200235</eng>

<eng>Project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the EU.
It corresponds to the 1st priority of the Danube Region Programme: A smarter Danube Region.
To the specific objective 1.2: Developing skills for smart specialization, industrial transition and entrepreneurship.
Project budget: 2.159.530,00 EUR
Interreg funding: 1.727.624,00 EUR
Project duration: January 2024 – June 2026
Project partners: 12 Project Partners + 14 Associate Partners, from 12 Danube countries
Lead partner: Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Novi Sad
Project manager: Prof. Dr. Sanja Bojic
About the project:
The main challenge addressed with the project is the synchronized transnational digital transformation of SMEs towards industry and logistics 4.0, across the Danube Region. To address the challenge, the main objective of the project is to create the Danube DNA Network – Digital Transformation network of Active SMEs training and knowledge transfer centers.
The Danube DNA network will be the nucleus of integrative smart specialization, skills development, cross-sectorial collaborations, SMEs transformation, and transition towards industry and logistics 4.0, through the transfer of knowledge, inter-regional capacity building, jointly developed solutions, and implementation of innovative and sustainable pilot actions.
Danube DNA main outputs and results will be:
• Established Danube DNA network of “one-stop shops” for SMEs digital transformation and knowledge transfer along the Danube Region.
• Established Danube DNA platform.
• Transnational Guidelines for the smart specialization of the Danube Region.
• Knowledge transfer sessions and capacity buildings organized in 12 Danube Region countries.
• 6 joint technological solutions.
• 12 pilot actions in 12 Danube countries.

Contact person: Prof. dr Sanja Bojić
Period of realization: 2024 – 2026
ID: DR0200391</eng>