Hrastnik1860 EU projects
Emission-free processes
for a clean future.
In an effort to combat climate change, the EU set to become climate neutral by 2050. This implies that energy intensive sectors, such as the glass industry need to start innovating now, as 2050 in only 3 glass furnaces away. Hrastnik1860 is actively tackling this challenge through internationally acclaimed R&D endeavours for decarbonising glass manufacturing, such as production & utilisation of sustainable fuels (H2) and electrification of high temperature processes.
EU Projects of Hrastnik1860
H2GLASS
Key facts
- Developing technology for 100% H2 combustion, ensuring required product quality and safety.
- On oxyfuel and hybrid EP regenerative furnaces with 100% H2 as fuel, aiming to reach 90% of the total energy used in the furnace
- Maintaining high glass quality while reducing the use of natural gas, leading to lower CO2 emissions
The EU-funded H2GLASS project aims to accelerate decarbonization in the glass industry by developing and implementing the necessary technology for full hydrogen combustion in production facilities. H2GLASS focuses on developing technology for 100% H2 combustion, ensuring required product quality and safety. The H2GLASS technologies and design solutions will be validated on 5 industrial demonstrators from 3 segments (container, flat glass and glass fibre), covering 98% of EU glass production. Another project feature is the demonstrator in the aluminium industry showcaseing transferability of underlying models to similar energy-intensive industries. The project has a total budget of approximately € 32 million.
Within the H2GLASS project, Hrastnik1860 acts as one of the five Industrial Demonstrators from glass industry. The aim is to achieve several objectives:
- Test the operation on two Steklarna’s furnaces (oxyfuel and hybrid EP regenerative) with 100% H2 as fuel, aiming to reach 90% of the total energy used in the furnace
- Maintaining high glass quality while reducing the use of natural gas, leading to lower CO2 emissions
- Determine the effect of hydrogen combustion on the glass melting process and on the furnace
- Enhance the integration of IT systems by creating a Computational Fluid Dynamics model of the glass furnace for techno-economic optimisation
On a larger scale of the project, in collaboration with other partnering IDs and researcher institutions, Steklarna will focus on the Developing and implementing H2 based Technology, by working on:
- Enabling the full dynamic functionality of the combustion in the glass melting furnaces with H2 fuels (0 to 100% H2 feed)
- Designing a H2 piping supply system, midstream interface and H2 combustions system for the H2 utilisation in different glass furnace types
- Integrating safety systems and control technologies for H2-based glass melting
- Solving competitive manufacturing design, technical difficulties and cost drivers, allowing H2 testing up to TRL7
- Enabling the retrofitting of existing furnaces to support the transition from fossil up to 100% H2
The Consortium consists of 20 partners from 7 Countries, including 6 Industrial Demonstrators (ID) from the glass and aluminium industries, alongside a group of highly qualified industrial and research institutions (e.g. National Institute of Chemistry – NIC). The project is coordinated by SINTEF ENERGY, one of Europe’s largest research institutes.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
NAHV
Key facts
- North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) is a hydrogen-based economic, social and industrial ecosystem in the area of Slovenia, Croatia and Italy (FVG Region).
- 17 testbed applications in 3 main pillars – hard to abate, energy and transport sectors.
- To decarbonize the process in the glass industry Hrastnik1860 water electrolyser (WE) system will be coupled with an existing glass furnace and RES.
The EU-funded, North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley – NAHV project’s high-level objective is the creation of a hydrogen-based economic, social and industrial ecosystem, i.e. valley in the transnational area of Slovenia, Croatia and Italy (FVG Region). Particularly, the project will activate 17 testbed applications in their related ecosystems, clustered in 3 main pillars – hard to abate, energy and transport sectors. These will act as real-life cases for piloting global hydrogen markets, moving from TRL 6 at the beginning to TRL 8 at the end of the project. Testbeds will then be scaled up at industrial level as a replicable model, contributing to the decarbonisation of the 3 territories by harnessing renewables to improve system resilience, security of supply and energy independence. The project has a total budget of approximately € 345 million.
Hrastnik1860 will develop a knowhow on usage of renewable hydrogen in the glass industry through the efficient utilization of water electrolyser (WE) technology. To decarbonize the process and boost the reliability and security of renewable energy supply, a WE system will be coupled with an existing glass furnace and RES. In additions to this, Hrastnik1860 also acts as the leader for activities on Renewable Hydrogen Testbed Applications for other industries and hard-to-abate sectors.
NAHV Consortium is composed of 27 main partners and 10 affiliated entity partners from 4 countries. The consortium consists of different companies, start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises representing the several components of the hard to abate, energy and transport sectors which integrate the hydrogen value chain. The project is coordinated by Holding slovenske elektrarne HSE.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
PHOTOSINT
Key facts
- Artificial photosynthesis technology for the production of hydrogen and methanol using only sunlight, wastewater and CO2.
- Hrastnik1860 demo plant consists of a green hydrogen-to-heat system composed of a photovoltaic power plant (PVPP), electrolyser and glass furnace.
PHOTOSINT is an EU funded project, focused on transforming process industry through the innovative application of artificial photosynthesis technology for the production of green fuels – a sustainable processes to produce hydrogen and methanol as energy vectors will be developed, using only sunlight, wastewater and CO2. To achieve this, devices based on the principles of artificial photosynthesis, integrating local resources from industry, will be designed and implemented within the project. By utilizing waste streams and CO2 emissions from industry as primary inputs, PHOTOSINT contributes to the transition towards a fossil-free economy and circular economy. The project has a total budget of approximately € 5 million.
Within PHOTOSINT, Hrastnik1860 will operate the pilot for green hydrogen production, which will be valorised as an alternative fuel for a glass melting furnace. The Demo plant consists of a green hydrogen-to-heat system composed of a photovoltaic power plant (PVPP), electrolyser and glass furnace.
PHOTOSINT brings together 14 partners from 8 European countries (Spain, France, Sweden, Estonia, Italy, Slovenia, Greece and Romania) – 5 academic partners, 4 industrial organisations and 5 research entities. The project is coordinated by IDENER R&D.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
BEAR
Key facts
- The first-ever hybrid regenerative glass furnace, marking a breakthrough in sustainable glass production.
- The furnace has the capacity to reduce natural gas consumption by 50% and targets a 33% reduction in GHG emissions, sourcing up to 40% electricity for its heat supply.
- The project aims to prevent almost 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the first 10 years.
Project BEAR, an EU-funded initiative under the Innovation Fund, is transforming glass manufacturing with the installation of the world’s first hybrid regenerative glass furnace at HRASTNIK1860’s facility in Slovenia. This furnace combines the traditional end-fired regenerative furnace with high energy share of electric boosting, achieving more than 40% electrification, surpassing the maximum 10% limit in a traditional furnace. The projected result is a substantial 50% reduction in natural gas use and a target of 33% lower greenhouse gas emissions. Over its first 10 years of operation, BEAR is projected to avoid almost 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, more than the annual household GHG emissions of the Zasavje region, where the furnace is located. The project has a total budget of just under €4 million.
Hrastnik1860 is playing a pioneering role in BEAR by implementing the hybrid furnace at their production site. The project not only aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of glassmaking but also helps retain jobs and boost the local economy, making a positive contribution to the former coal region of Zasavje.
BEAR is led by HRASTNIK1860 in collaboration with the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC), which contributes critical expertise in chemical engineering, decarbonization technologies, and process modelling. This collaboration aims to advance hybrid furnace technology, demonstrating its potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries and inspire broader industrial transformation toward sustainability.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
i-STENTORE
Key facts
- Innovative energy storage technologies.
- Hrastnik1860 first-of-a-kind end-fired regenerative hybrid furnace will be coupled with a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) power plant to serve as a molten glass thermal storage.
The Horizon Europe Energy project, i-STENTORE – innovative energy Storage TEchNologies TOwards increased Renewables integration and Efficient operation, will examine the integration of diverse storage solutions and their combinations in various applications, encompassing mobility, agriculture, industry, households, heating, and other sectors. Particularly, I-STENTORE will showcase and integrate innovative hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) for increased uptake of renewable energy sources. The total budget of the i-STENTORE project is approximately € 10 million.
Hrastnik1860 is the pioneering demonstrator for the i-STENTORE project. Within the project, Steklarna’s first-of-a-kind end-fired regenerative hybrid furnace will be coupled with a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) power plant to serve as a molten glass thermal storage, whereby the glass melting process will be aligned with the availability of renewable energy sources (RES) through coordinated manipulation of electric melting (boosting) at uncompromised glass batch quality.
The Consortium consists of 27 partners from 10 Countries. The project combines different key players and organisations, bringing together expertise from ICT technology providers (e.g. COMSENSUS) and research institutions that have renowned know-how at the interplay among smart grid technologies and ESSs, as well as a large variety of energy and non-energy stakeholders. The project is coordinated by EUROPEAN DYNAMICS LUXEMBURG SA.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Citadel
Key facts
- Replace fossil fuel combustion processes with innovative electric technologies
- Upgrade of Hrastnik1860 hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace to super hybrid operation, increasing electric power beyond the starting 40%, resulting in substantial reduction of natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions.
The CITADEL project, co-funded by EU, aims to replace fossil fuel combustion processes with innovative electric technologies like electric resistance, microwave and plasma heating in five use cases: refractory brick, glass, and copper wire production, preheating in steel production and concrete recycling. Demonstration plants near the processes will be designed, built, and tested. The project has a total budget of approximately € 20 million.
Within CITATEL, Hrastnik1860’s role is the Pilot demonstration in the Glass production industry. Hrastnik1860 will upgrade its hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace to super hybrid operation, increasing electric power beyond the starting 40%, resulting in substantial reduction of natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions.
The CITADEL project assembles an interdisciplinary consortium comprising 14 partners from 6 countries. Together, they aim to devise game-changing solutions for different electrical heating principles and diverse industrial processes. The project is coordinated by HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or [name of the granting authority]. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.