SVEUCILISTE U ZAGREBU RUDARSKO-GEOLOSKO-NAFTNI FAKULTET

Their core work

The Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Zagreb is Croatia's leading academic institution for subsurface engineering and geosciences. Their H2020 work centers on CO2 geological storage, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) infrastructure planning, and underground hydrogen storage — applying reservoir engineering and geochemistry expertise to Europe's energy transition challenges. They also contribute geological and minerals policy expertise, and have participated in explosives security standardization networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2016–2018) focused on foundational CO2 geological storage research — onshore storage site characterization, pilot field experiments, and minerals policy. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward strategic CCUS deployment (infrastructure planning, business models, regional development scenarios for Southern and Eastern Europe) and underground hydrogen storage. This trajectory shows a clear move from basic subsurface research toward applied energy transition planning, positioning them at the intersection of geology and decarbonization strategy.

Moving from subsurface CO2 research toward strategic energy transition planning, with growing hydrogen storage capabilities — expect continued focus on underground energy storage in Southeast Europe.

How they like to work

UNIZG-RGNF operates exclusively as a contributing partner or third-party expert — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. With 71 unique partners across 22 countries, they are well-networked for a relatively small portfolio, suggesting they are valued as specialist contributors brought in for specific geological and reservoir engineering expertise. Their third-party roles (ENOS, HyStorIES) indicate they often join through existing institutional relationships rather than leading consortium formation.

Despite only 5 projects, they have collaborated with 71 unique partners across 22 countries, indicating participation in large, pan-European consortia. Their network spans widely across Europe, with particular relevance to Southern and Eastern European CCUS development.

What sets them apart

As Croatia's primary subsurface engineering faculty, UNIZG-RGNF offers a rare combination of geological storage expertise with deep knowledge of Southern and Eastern European subsurface formations — a region underrepresented in CCUS research but critical for EU-wide deployment. Their dual competence in both CO2 and hydrogen underground storage makes them a valuable partner for energy transition projects that need regional geological knowledge beyond Western Europe. For consortium builders, they provide credible Croatian academic participation with genuine technical depth in reservoir characterization.

Highlights from their portfolio

• STRATEGY CCUS
  Their largest funded project (EUR 73,650), focused on strategic CCUS planning specifically for Southern and Eastern Europe — directly aligned with their geographic positioning.
• HyStorIES
  Signals their expansion into hydrogen storage, combining reservoir engineering with geochemistry and microbiology for subsurface hydrogen assessment.
• ENOS
  Foundational CO2 storage project involving field experiments and pilot sites across onshore Europe — established their credentials in geological storage research.