Croatian company Končar is set to receive nearly EUR 40 million from the European Union for the development of innovative technology designed for green hydrogen electrolysers. The technology addresses an infrastructure bottleneck in the decarbonization of energy-intensive sectors.
The Končar Nexus project will receive EUR 39.3 million from the Innovation Fund under a funding programme for innovative technologies that support decarbonization and strengthen industrial competitiveness. The project has successfully passed the evaluation process and was selected to enter the grant agreement preparation stage.
Končar Nexus focuses on the industrialisation of the innovative Končar Smart Power Interface
Končar Nexus focuses on industrialising the innovative Končar Smart Power Interface (KSPI), a modular 2.5 MW platform that enables the efficient conversion of power from the medium-voltage grid into direct current, Končar said.
The technology is primarily intended for electrolysers used in green hydrogen production, but it can also be applied in other industrial processes that require direct current (DC).
Photo: Končar
By integrating several traditionally separate components into a single compact solution, the platform will reduce energy losses, simplify installation and improve the efficiency and flexibility of power systems, the Croatian company said.
The project is planned to be implemented in the Zagreb area
The project is planned to be implemented across two complementary sites in the Zagreb area.
The Fallerovo site will host engineering and validation activities, including a validation laboratory, engineering offices and a new 110 kV substation to enable full-scale system testing and industrial qualification.
The Sesvetski Kraljevec site is planned as a greenfield production location for serial assembly, testing and dispatch of Končar Smart Power Module (KSPM) units.
The production facility is designed for a maximum output capacity of up to 200 units per year, according to the update.
Total investment is estimated at EUR 70.1 million
Photo: Končar
Končar Nexus involves planned CAPEX of up to EUR 70.7 million, of which EUR 39.3 million from the Innovation Fund. Končar targets financial closing by March 31, 2029, followed by putting the system into operation on January 1, 2031.
The project addresses a recognised infrastructure bottleneck in the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors, according to the company.
Large-scale renewable hydrogen electrolysers require stable, high-quality DC power, while existing grid connection solutions are typically based on fragmented alternating current (AC)-centric architectures involving multiple components, interfaces and conversion stages.
The Končar Smart Power Module is a standardised 2.5 MW modular platform
The Končar Smart Power Module (KSPM) is a standardised 2.5 MW modular platform based on solid-state transformer technology that integrates medium-voltage interfacing, protection, conversion, galvanic isolation, auxiliary supply, liquid cooling, and digital monitoring and control within a single containerised unit.
In this year’s call, the European Commission selected 77 projects from 23 European countries, with a total funding allocation of EUR 3.4 billion.