Dr. Danica Maljković I CTO @ DOK-ING Indeloop Zagreb

Dr. Danica Maljković

Candidate for the Hydrogen Europe Board of Directors

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Meet Danica

Dr. Danica Maljković brings 20 years of experience in the energy sector, specializing in hydrogen economy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. As a scientist, she has detailed knowledge of the technology, and after working many years for the state energy institute, she also understands intricate regulatory affairs. With such complementary qualifications in the field, Danica successfully managed 50 projects across Europe, particularly in geothermal, biomass, biogas, and solar thermal energy.

Today, Danica is the CTO of DOK-ING Indeloop, internal start-up of Zagreb based company DOK-ING. Since 2021 she is also the President of the Association for Hydrogen Economy in Croatian Chamber of Commerce. Danica holds a PhD in Power Engineering and a Master’s degree of Mechanical Engineering, together with an MBA in Energy Economics.

"Hydrogen is the future I believe in and work for" - Danica Maljković.

What are your priority topics when it comes to hydrogen?

My priority topic is creating a new innovative hydrogen production pathway that would support and streamline reaching our common goal of full decarbonization by 2050. I believe we can achieve that by continuous advocating for the supportive regulatory framework, increasing public awareness and education and fostering industry collaboration. Within Hydrogen Europe I would love to work on several goals, including enhancing the role of SMEs, creating a technology open hydrogen production pathway, giving impetus to European hydrogen markets, and bridging the language between policy and technology.

What do you think should be the main priorities of Hydrogen Europe?

Top priority should be facilitating the creation of a framework that enables a true uptake of the hydrogen economy in Europe, creation of a healthy H2 market, and development of European hydrogen technologies. A key focus should be on accelerating the transition to green hydrogen and deployment of renewable energy sources like wind and solar for hydrogen production. HE should also be the voice of the industry towards the European Commission, Paliament and the Council and where needed and useful, support members in their outreach towards national authorities. It should continue to focus on supporting the R&D in hydrogen industry and creating favourable market conditions by securing adequate co-funding, intensifying collaboration with non-EU markets and prioritizing projects that align with Europe’s climate goals. Finally, the association should advocate for the inclusion of SMEs in large-scale hydrogen projects and public procurement processes. Beyond Europe, HE should be the promotor of European hydrogen technologies, and technical and regulatory standards worldwide.

How do you see Europe's global positioning regarding hydrogen?

Europe aims to achieve its climate goals and stimulate economic growth by concentrating on sustainable hydrogen production methods, such as green hydrogen, and improving infrastructure for storage and distribution. This is why it has robust research and innovation capacities, substantial granting schemes and joint projects all across the continent. In hydrogen economy, Europe has a rare chance to profile as a global leader in hydrogen technology development and this is a chance we have to utilize!

Do you see more initiatives like the EU Hydrogen Bank being promoted?

Certainly, I expect to see more initiatives similar to the EU Hydrogen Bank as the hydrogen economy continues to grow. These initiatives will likely emphasize providing financial support for hydrogen projects, encouraging innovation, and facilitating the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure. By establishing funding mechanisms and investment incentives, such programs can speed up the development and adoption of hydrogen technologies, ensuring that Europe stays at the forefront of the global hydrogen transition.

How do you see the relationship between hydrogen and other renewable energy sources?

To put it in a few words - this relationship is a complementary synergy or to say - a match made in heaven. Renewable energy sources and hydrogen technology are both carbon neutral with no negative emissions. Their symbiotic trade is stemming from the fact that once renewable energy is produced then comes a question of how best to storage it and transport to a place of biggest need. Hydrogen answers to this demands perfectly by serving as a quality energy carrier that can easily be stored in physical tanks and then transported via any means of transportation to any chosen location.

Why do you think Member States invest heavily in solar plants rather than hydrogen infrastructure?

Solar technology passed a similar path to where hydrogen is today and become one of the heaviest incentivized energy generation technology globally. I think we can expect the same development with hydrogen, but the only difference I see is that we will reach hydrogen economy much faster than we did with solar technology development. I am very excited to onboard and support this adventure. The factors I see currently in favour of solar energy compared to hydrogen technology are the fact solar technology is more mature and has been widely adopted for many years while hydrogen is at its beginnings. Also generating electricity directly from sunlight with solar panels is providing an immediate source of renewable energy. In contrast, hydrogen infrastructure requires additional steps for production, storage, and transportation before the hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier. However, hydrogen is yet to prove its significance in the energy mix and its storage convenience.

Enhancing the Role
of Small & Medium Enterprises

Creating a Technology Open Hydrogen Production Pathway

Giving Impetus to European Hydrogen Markets

Bridging the Language Between Policy & Technology

Ask Danica
a Question

Indeloop

is a Croatian R&D company that designs, develops and builds proprietary gasification systems that provide environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions for non-recyclable organic materials (mostly waste), carbon emission reduction and production of clean energy. These systems aim to make end users energy self-sustainable while dealing with the problem of organic material disposal.

Indeloop’s team consists of experts in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, energy engineering and hydrogen value chain. Indeloop is a member of DOK-ING Group, the world’s leader in producing special purpose robotics (mining, demining, safety).

"A 2.5-tonne Indeloop machine could take care of the textile dust and produce energy for the factory that uses some 400KW per day. This new innovation is contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment and thus directly influencing our lives on the planet."

Indeloop is a part of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley together with other stakeholders from Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. "If we are to meet our climate goals, we need to accelerate in the European hydrogen economy. Hydrogen valleys, are a perfect example of the hydrogen economy we want to build."

Croatian company is developing world brakethrough hydrogen technology at the heart of Europe:. "Indeloop's Waste2Hydrogen plant produces synthesis gas from non-recyclable organic waste, from which hydrogen is extracted. The process that takes place in the plant is the gasification process."

"Project envisages the transformation of sewage sludge into hydrogen for blending into the local natural gas grid and usage as fuel for 20 hydrogen-powered buses operated by Zagreb’s public transport firm ZET. The byproducts – carbon black and ash, will be used as additives in tyre manufacturing and concrete production."