The research group focuses on the development and application of hydrogen technologies for sustainable energy systems. Its research activities cover hydrogen production, storage, compression, and utilisation, with particular emphasis on electrolysers, fuel cells, and metal hydride storage systems. The group conducts research on diagnostics and degradation analysis of electrochemical components, develops advanced control algorithms for hydrogen systems, and optimises their efficiency, reliability, and lifetime. Additional research areas include the integration of fuel cells into mobile and industrial applications, as well as the development of innovative solutions for incorporating hydrogen technologies into renewable energy systems and supporting the energy transition.

• Hydrogen integration in renewable energy systems
• Integration of fuel cells into industrial vehicles (forklifts)
• Diagnostics and degradation analysis of electrochemical hydrogen compressors
• Hydrogen production by water electrolysis, including the impact of operating conditions on electrolyser performance and durability
• Design and optimisation of metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with enhanced heat transfer management
• Characterisation of metal hydride storage systems during hydrogen absorption and desorption processes
• Fuel cell design, operation, and applications
• Development of control algorithms for fuel cell and electrolyser systems
• Experimental testing and characterisation of electrochemical compressors

Laboratories

• Laboratory for Advanced Thermal Energy Technologies (C516)

Equipment

• Fuel cell test station for single-cell testing across various cell sizes (Teledyne Medusa), equipped with integrated Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) electronics
• Fuel cell test station for single cells and small fuel-cell stacks of various sizes (Scribner Associates)
• PEM electrolyser test station for single-cell testing (Sustainable Innovations Test Station for PEM Electrolyzers)
• Potentiostat/Galvanostat (BioLogic SP-150) with external current booster up to 10 A for advanced electrochemical testing, Base unit: ±10 V, ±400 mA, Current booster: ±10 V, ±10 A
• S++ Current and Temperature Scanner featuring: Local current measurements at 121 measurement points, temperature measurements at 49 measurement points, measurement ranges: 0–2 V and 0–100 °C, fuel cell active area: 50 cm²
• Stand-alone hydrogen energy system consisting of: Solar photovoltaic array (1.6 kW), Wind turbine (1.4 kW), PEM electrolyser (2.8 kW, maximum pressure 30 bar), Hydrogen storage system (600 L volume, 1.5 kg H₂ capacity), Fuel cell system (1.2 kW electrical output), Battery storage (24 V, 1000 Ah), DC/AC inverter (3.5 kW), Programmable electrical load (up to 1.5 kW)

• HyRefuelStat – Development of a High-Efficiency Metal Hydride Compressor with Integrated Thermal Energy Storage for Advanced Hydrogen Refuelling Stations Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Ivan Tolj, 2025-2028
• HYTECH – Advanced Diagnostics and Prognostics for Efficient Green Hydrogen Production and Utilisation Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), Principal Investigator: Assistant Professor Ivan Pivac, 2026-2031
• LUMINIH2 – Laboratory Model and Prototype Control and Monitoring System for Renewable-Energy Microgrids with Hydrogen Technologies Targeted Scientific Research Programme, NPOO.C3.2.R3-I1.04
• International Engineering Competence Centres for Sustainable Mobility Development in Albania and Montenegro Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project (ERASMUS-LS), 2023-2026
• Increasing Efficiency, Reducing Harmful Emissions and Hybridisation of Marine Energy Systems, Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), 2021-2025

The research group welcomes collaboration with universities, research institutes, industry partners, and public-sector organisations in the field of hydrogen technologies and sustainable energy systems. Particular interest lies in the joint development and deployment of technologies for hydrogen production, storage, compression, and utilisation, including electrolysers, fuel cells, and metal hydride systems. Potential forms of collaboration include joint national and international research projects, the development of innovative products and prototypes, industrial testing and validation, technology transfer, as well as technical studies and expert analyses. The group has access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure for the experimental testing of fuel cells, electrolysers, electrochemical compressors, and hydrogen storage systems, enabling advanced research and the validation of novel technologies and solutions. The group is especially interested in collaborations focused on integrating hydrogen technologies into transportation, industry, microgrids, and renewable energy systems, as well as projects supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation. In addition, the group offers opportunities for joint supervision of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, organisation of workshops and professional training programmes, and the exchange of researchers, expertise, and knowledge.