Elektroprivreda
Srbije (EPS) has optimal conditions for producing green hydrogen at key
locations: TENT A, TPP Kostolac A, CHPP Novi Sad, and CHPP Zrenjanin. These
sites are equipped with plants for chemical water treatment, district heating
system connections, and a robust power grid, according to Aleksandar Latinović,
Head of System Services of EPS JSC, at the 2nd Belgrade International
Conference on Hydrogen.
EPS
also sees considerable potential for hydrogen utilization. Latinović
highlighted that ongoing analyses focus on replacing supporting fuels, such as
fuel oil, in thermal power plants with hydrogen and hydrogen-based
alternatives. For example, building a hydrogen production plant at TENT A to
substitute fuel oil would require a 97-megawatt electrolyser operating approximately
9,000 hours annually - Latinović highlighted during the panel on hydrogen as a
solution to the challenges of integrating variable renewable energy sources
(RES) into the power system
Currently,
hydropower plants bear the primary load of system operation. However, Latinović
noted that this responsibility is gradually shifting to thermal power plants,
leading to changes in operational regimes and increased fuel oil usage. He
emphasized that the thermal sector would remain a cornerstone of Serbia’s
energy landscape for decades to come. Still, integrating renewable energy
sources (RES) will demand increased flexibility, more frequent start-stop
operations, and higher fuel oil consumption in thermal plants.
Latinović
concluded by underscoring EPS’ plans to thoroughly evaluate hydrogen usage from
economic, environmental, and energy independence perspectives. Crucially,
hydrogen would be produced locally to enhance the flexibility and resilience of
thermal power plants
