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This article presents a concept of establishing a network of energy self-sufficient nodes in Slovenia and the EU, within the Defence RESilience Hub Network in Europe project initiated by the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia (MORS). The goal is to reduce the energy dependence of military facilities on external suppliers. A mathematical model of a military site's micro-grid incorporates multiple energy vectors and their conversion and storage, with a focus on hydrogen technologies. A case study of a military site in Belgium shows that an energy system with solar and wind power can provide sufficient hydrogen for transportation needs and operate the site autonomously for up to 30 days. Additionally, the carbon footprint of the military base as an energy system was calculated, indicating potential reductions in environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to identify fields where Slovenia needs to improve in order to be able to implement hydrogen economy. For this purpose the methodology of a time “snapshot” (year 2008) was used to show a degree of early market penetration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in mobile and stationary applications in comparison with nine developed countries. The socioeconomic development indicators were used to characterize these countries and to find the correlations, if they exist, with the penetration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Results of statistical analysis have revealed that Slovenia is positioned rather well among the analysed countries with regard to the development indicators at higher hierarchical levels. However, two crucial indicators that correlate very strongly with the penetration of hydrogen and fuel cells technologies in studied nine developed countries – the number of researcher per one thousand of employees and the number of granted patents per one million population – are rather low for Slovenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]