Slovenia’s transmission system operators, ELES (electricity) and Plinovodi (gas), have joined forces with Japanese industrial automation giant Yokogawa Electric Corporation to build an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem designed to secure the nation’s critical energy grid.
The three entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 10 in Tokyo alongside high-level ministerial meetings between Japanese and Slovenian government officials. Under the framework, ELES, Plinovodi, and Yokogawa Europe will collaborate on a pilot plant interfacing hydrogen with both the national power grid and gas transmission networks.
The project will focus on “sector coupling”—using green hydrogen produced from excess renewable power to stabilize the electrical grid, inject clean gas into existing pipelines, and provide emergency power back-up units.
Driving Europe’s Green Hydrogen Backbone
As member states accelerate decarbonization targets, integrating intermittent renewables like solar and wind presents major grid stability challenges. The initiative aims to deploy digital orchestration tools to manage cross-network energy flows while converting hydrogen into clean mobility solutions for heavy infrastructure maintenance and fast-charging distribution hubs.
“This initiative will establish the foundation for the wider deployment of hydrogen technologies in industry and transport, playing a key role in the emergence of a hydrogen-based economy,” said Aleksander Mervar, CEO of ELES. “What makes this project particularly significant is its potential for replication… supporting the transition towards more resilient, flexible and sustainable energy systems throughout Europe.”
Plinovodi will leverage the initiative to connect Slovenia to the broader European Hydrogen Backbone, preparing regional gas networks for transport of carbon-neutral gases across European corridors.
The immediate next step will be a joint feasibility study led by Yokogawa Europe to outline the technical, operational, and financial roadmap for full-scale implementation.