SVEUCILISTE U SPLITU, FAKULTET ELEKTROTEHNIKE, STROJARSTVA I BRODOGRADNJE

Their core work

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FESB) at the University of Split is Croatia's leading technical faculty combining electrical, mechanical, and maritime engineering under one roof. Their H2020 work centers on hydrogen-based energy systems — fuel cells for vehicles, metal hydride storage, and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure — alongside wildfire risk management and high-performance computing. They bring strong applied engineering capabilities, particularly in adapting hydrogen technologies for utility vehicles and material handling equipment.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 participation (2014-2019) was anchored in hydrogen and fuel cell engineering through AutoRE and Giantleap, plus fusion energy research via EUROfusion. From 2020 onward, they diversified significantly — adding wildfire risk science (FirEUrisk) and HPC competence building (EUROCC) while continuing hydrogen work through HYDRIDE4MOBILITY. This suggests a faculty broadening from pure energy engineering toward climate adaptation and digital infrastructure.

Moving from narrowly focused hydrogen vehicle engineering toward broader climate and environmental challenges, suggesting readiness for interdisciplinary projects combining energy systems with climate adaptation.

How they like to work

FESB operates exclusively as a partner or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for a mid-sized Croatian university faculty building its European research profile. With 343 unique consortium partners across 39 countries, they are well-networked for their size, suggesting they are valued technical contributors in large international consortia. Their repeat involvement in hydrogen-themed projects indicates trusted specialist status within the fuel cell community.

Despite only 6 projects, they have collaborated with 343 unique partners across 39 countries — a remarkably broad network driven by participation in large-scale programmes like EUROfusion and FirEUrisk. Their reach spans virtually all EU member states and beyond.

What sets them apart

FESB is one of few Croatian institutions with deep, multi-project experience in hydrogen fuel cell systems for vehicles and material handling — a niche that combines mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. Their unusual combination of naval architecture heritage with hydrogen mobility expertise makes them a strong partner for projects needing applied engineering in harsh or specialized operating environments. For consortium builders, they offer a Croatian entry point with proven reliability across multiple EU funding schemes (FCH2-JU, RIA, MSCA, COFUND).

Highlights from their portfolio

• Giantleap
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 296,250) focused on extending fuel cell lifetime in automotive applications — their flagship hydrogen mobility project.
• HYDRIDE4MOBILITY
  MSCA-RISE project on metal hydride hydrogen storage for utility vehicles, representing deep researcher exchange and skills development in an applied hydrogen niche.
• FirEUrisk
  Marks a strategic pivot into wildfire and climate risk management (EUR 180,000), their most recent and largest active project, signalling new research directions.