The Solar Flex Croatia 2026<\/strong> conference, taking place on 17 March<\/strong> at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb<\/strong>, will bring together more than 300<\/strong> experts from the energy, business, financial, and regulatory sectors to discuss the role of batteries, system flexibility, and the evolving role of consumers in the electricity system.<\/p>\n The conference will present the results of the first national study on battery energy storage systems<\/strong> and provide concrete answers to key questions related to grid connection, market models, green tariffs, and the integration of battery storage systems into industry and households.<\/p>\n Renewable energy and batteries are no longer a question of the future \u2013 they are a business decision of today.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Maja Pokrovac<\/strong>, Director, Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia Ignacio Asenjo<\/strong>, Team Leader for Energy System Integration, DG ENER, European Commission Presentations:<\/strong> Assistant Prof. Ninoslav Holjevac<\/strong>, PhD, Department of Energy and Power Systems, Faculty of Panel 1: CRO Flex – From Grid Congestions to Battery Solutions<\/strong> Panelists: Moderator: Sa\u0161a \u0106eramilac<\/strong>, journalist, host and communications advisor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Pauza za osvje\u017eenje i networking<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Presentation: Alternative Forms of Electricity and Thermal Energy Storage<\/strong> Full Professor Goran Kraja\u010di\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Department of Energy, Power and Environmental Engineering, Panel 2: Energy Storage – Beyond Batteries<\/strong> Panelists: Moderator: Ivan Andro\u010dec<\/strong>, PhD, Director of Renewable Energy and Innovation, INA<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Presentation: Demand Response as a Contribution to Grid Flexibility<\/strong><\/p>\n Ivan Zubec, Head of Software Development, KOER<\/p>\n Panel 3: Batteries in Support of Energy-Intensive Industry<\/strong> Panelists: Moderator: Milan \u0160tekovi\u0107 \u0160uti\u0107<\/strong>, Sales Manager, JA Solar<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Pauza za osvje\u017eenje i networking<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Interview: A Green Tariff Model for Active Prosumers<\/strong> Filip Ku\u0161evi\u0107<\/strong>, Legal Advisor, RES Croatia<\/p>\n Panel 4: Active Consumers \u2013 The New Role of Households and SMEs<\/strong> Panelists:<\/strong> Moderator: Veselina Harabajs<\/strong>, Head of Business Development, Green Energy Cooperative<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Zaklju\u010dak konferencije i ru\u010dak uz networking<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> 390,00 EUR + VAT (487,50 EUR)<\/p><\/div> For any additional information or inquiries, please feel free to contact us at\u00a0 \ud83d\udce9\u00a0konferencija@oie.hr<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> 325,00 EUR + VAT (406,25 EUR)<\/p><\/div> A special promotional code for a discounted registration fee can be requested via the following email address\ud83d\udce9 konferencija@oie.hr<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> More information about the conference and topics related to power system flexibility is available HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n You can download the full conference programme in PDF format.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>CONFERENCE AGENDA<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>09:00 \u2013 09:30 | Welcome Speeches<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nArthur Daemers<\/strong>, Senior Policy Advisor, SolarPower Europe
\nMiljan \u017ddrale<\/strong>, Regional Director for Central Europe, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
\nMinistry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition tbc
\nMinistry of Economy tbc
\nMinistry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets tbc<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>9:30 \u2013 9:50 | Introductory Interview - EU Flex<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development tbd<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>9:50 \u2013 11:10 | Presentation of the Study \u2013 CRO Flex<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nStudy \u201cIdentification of Congestion Locations in the Electricity Grid and Battery Energy Storage Needs <\/em><\/strong>
\nin the Republic of Croatia<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nElectrical Engineering and Computing (FER)
\nDra\u017een Bali\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Head of Energy Generation and Energy Markets Department, Energy Institute
\nHrvoje Po\u017ear (EIHP)<\/p>\n
\nThe panel is dedicated to the results of the national battery study, which identifies critical grid
\ncongestion points within the Croatian power system and defines the need and optimal locations for
\nbattery energy storage systems as a key solution for increasing grid flexibility. The discussion focuses
\non how batteries can mitigate congestion, enhance system stability, and support further development
\nof Croatia\u2019s electricity network.<\/p>\n
\nFull Professor Igor Kuzle<\/strong>, PhD, Head of the Smart Grid Laboratory, FER
\nGoran Majstrovi\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Head of Energy Transmission and Distribution Department, EIHP
\nLjupko Tekli\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Assistant Director, Development, Connection, Construction and Asset Management Department,
\nCroatian Transmission System Operator (HOPS)
\nBranimir Ivkovi\u0107<\/strong>, Head of Wind Power Department, ENCRO
\nHelena Kokot<\/strong>, Director of Legal, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, E.ON
\nJosip To\u0161i\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Director, TOSKA
\nCroatian Energy Regulatory Agency tbc<\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>11:10 \u2013 11:30 | Break <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>11:30 - 12:25 | Energy Storage - Beyond Batteries<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nThe presentation provides an overview of other forms of electricity and thermal energy storage beyond
\nbattery systems, including hydroaccumulation, hydrogen, and thermal storage solutions. Particular
\nfocus is placed on their role in managing variable generation from renewable sources, reducing peak
\nloads, and strengthening the resilience of the energy system.<\/p>\n
\nFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB)<\/p>\n
\nThe panel builds on the discussion about alternative energy storage solutions and broadens the
\nperspective on the systemic deployment of reservoir and pumped-storage hydropower plants,
\nhydrogen, thermal energy storage, and the integration of renewable gases into the energy
\ninfrastructure. The objective is to demonstrate how a combination of different storage technologies
\ncan contribute to a more stable and resilient energy system.<\/p>\n
\nMario Peri\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Product and Solution Manager for New Energy Technologies, Kon\u010dar
\nAnte Elez<\/strong>, PhD, Member of the Management Board, HEP
\nMarino Valjak<\/strong>, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Department Manager, Elektroprojekt
\nIvan \u0160imi\u0107<\/strong>, Technical Director, EnergoVizija<\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>12:25 \u2013 13:40 | Batteries in Support of Energy-Intensive Industry <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nThe panel focuses on the role of energy-intensive industry in energy system flexibility, with an
\nemphasis on battery storage systems for optimizing energy consumption. Using practical examples,
\nthe discussion explores the contribution of active consumers to grid stability through demand
\nresponse, virtual power plants, aggregation, microgrids, and integration of generation and
\nconsumption at the point of use.<\/p>\n
\nVladimir Gagi\u0107<\/strong>, Head of Business Area – Control, Protection and Smart Grid Systems, Siemens
\nMarko Vukobratovi\u0107<\/strong>, PhD, Director, Versolvio
\nMarko Lasi\u0107<\/strong>, Director, Crossvolt
\nMichael Strobel<\/strong>, Business Director Europe, Great Power
\nVedran Belamari\u0107<\/strong>, Director, Orbico Electro<\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>13:45 \u2013 14:00 | Break<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>14:00 - 15:00 | Active Consumers \u2013 The New Role of Households and SMEs<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nRES Croatia presents a proposal for the introduction of a green tariff model designed for consumers
\nwho generate and store electricity from solar power plants at the point of consumption. It outlines a
\nspecial tariff framework that recognizes active prosumers and provides for a preferential network use
\ncharge for users who reduce grid load through self-generation and storage. The discussion addresses
\nthe questions why the European Union introduced net-metering schemes and how a green tariff
\nmodel could encourage the broader deployment of solar systems and battery storage in Croatia.<\/p>\n
\nThe panel focuses on the consumption flexibility at the household and SME levels through the
\ndeployment of battery systems, heat pumps, closed distribution systems, microgrids, and energy
\nsharing models. The discussion addresses the role of end-users in energy management, cost
\noptimization, and contribution to the stability of the electricity grid.<\/p>\n
\nEnvironmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund tbd
\nIvan Burul<\/strong>, Advisor to the Management Board, HEP – Distribution System Operator
\n(HEP-ODS)
\nTomislav Bunjevac<\/strong>, Member of the Management Board, ENNA NEXT
\nAnto Matija\u0161evi\u0107<\/strong>, Head of Product Management, Energy3000
\nUprise tbd<\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>15:00 - 16:00 | Closing Remarks and Lunch <\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Join us at Solar Flex Croatia 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1. STANDARD Registration Fee \u2013 Solar Flex Croatia 2026:<\/h4><\/div>
2. OIEH and SPE Members Registration Fee \u2013 Solar Flex Croatia 2026:<\/h4><\/div>