About us

Main areas of operation:

  • Research and development, education in the field of hydrogen technologies
  • Building a positive public opinion about hydrogen among the general public
  • Promoting the use of hydrogen-based technologies in energy, transport, industry and households
  • Identification of suitable business models of hydrogen utilization in the conditions of Slovakia
  • Identification of barriers for better integration of hydrogen into the energy system of Slovakia
  • Active involvement in creation
  • Commenting on national policies to promote hydrogen in line with European policy
  • Supporting cities and regions in introducing progressive and carbon-free hydrogen technologies
  • Communication with the European Commission and European hydrogen agencies with the aim to exchange information and engage in international projects
  • Cooperation with related associations in order to find synergies and mutual support in the modernization of the economic sector and strengthening the environmental feelings of the population of Slovakia

National hydrogen
association (NVAS)

The current trend in energy is to gradually increase the efficiency of energy processes, actively seek for new sources and at the same time bring environmentally friendly possibilities of use.

Hydrogen can provide answers to current energy questions, including the depletion of fossil fuels, the search for a new suitable alternative as a fuel, especially in the field of transport, the accumulation of electricity produced from renewable sources and the elimination of greenhouse gases. Thus, hydrogen is an option that offers a solution.

The National Hydrogen Association (NVAS) was established in 2015 as a joint initiative of natural and legal entities in order to support research, implementation and use of new technologies that actively use hydrogen and fuel cells.

The National Hydrogen Association supports hydrogen technologies in the transition to low-carbon economies. NVAS defined two main goals when it was established.

  • As a professional association, it will play a key role in the implementation of best practices in the Slovak Republic and shape effective public policy.
  • The second key role of the association is to be a benefit to its members in terms of prompt delivery of reports on regulatory decisions, new policies and technologies in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells.

Following the example of Hydrogen Europe by the National hydrogen association plays an important role in the preparation of new legislation and contributes to the transformation of the Slovak energetics, industry and transport to low-carbon.

Besides drafting of legislation, the National hydrogen association also acts as a trade association, which associates representatives of various sectors such as industry or research and science, and thus creates the conditions for the development of mutual cooperation.

In this case, the National hydrogen association plays a key role in promoting best practices and new research and technological knowledge from both domestic and global environments. At the same time, it offers the possibility of building and sharing a network of potential business and professional partners for its members.

The National hydrogen association is a member of Hydrogen Europe and cooperates with Fuel Cell Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), which enables public-private partnerships at European Union level in the field of industrial research. The Joint venture shall prepare its own strategic research program and fund projects selected on a basis of calls for proposals, applying the rules for participation in the horizon. The advantage of such cooperation is the possibility to apply for financial support under Horizon 2020 with a budget of 1.33 billion EU.

NVAS Board of Directors

Ing. Peter Hegeduš

Peter Hegeduš has been the chairman of the National hydrogen association since the summer of 2018. He has extensive experience in the management, training, implementation and operation of several projects focused on renewable energy sources in Slovakia as well as abroad. He is a co-founder and executive member of several associations uniting people of interest in a selected type of renewable energy sources. During his practice he gained experience with commenting and creating legislative standards and strategies in Slovakia.

Ing. Samuel Babjak

Samuel Babjak is the founder of the National hydrogen association with many years of experience in creating business structures, developing new activities and projects and introducing new technologies to the market. Within the framework of its activities, he operates in the areas of electricity production from renewable energy sources, smart solutions and new technologies in transportation of people and goods, building operation and maintenance of infrastructure and the use of state-of-the-art practices and technologies in agriculture.

Mgr. Ján Weiterschütz

Ján Weiterschütz has been a member of the association since the summer of 2018 and has experience in the management, training, implementation and operation of projects in the field of photovoltaic power plants and small hydropower plants. He has ambitions to include the association in the international network of hydrogen agencies and to cooperate closely with the European Commission and central European agencies such as FCH JU or Hydrogen Europe in order to involve Slovakia in international projects. His second priority, together with ministries and representatives of industry, local governments and the third sector, is to identify pilot demonstration projects for hydrogen applications for Slovakia.

Mgr. Maroš Halama, PhD

Maroš Halama became a member of the Executive Committee in 2019. Within the association he focuses on scientific-research and academic field. As an alternative member of the State Representatives Group, he represents the Slovak Republic in FCH JU. He studied physical chemistry in UPJŠ in Košice and Aristotle Uni. Thessaloniki (Mgr.) and obtained his PhD degree in the field of Physical metallurgy at the Technical University in Košice. Maroš Halama is currently sub-dean for Research, Innovation and International Relations at the Faculty of materials, metallurgy, and recycling at the Technical University in Košice, vice president of the Slovak Surface Treatment Association, member of the Steel Advisory Group, RFCS, DG R&I, Unit D. 3 in the European commission, member of the Caltech group in the European Defense Agency, member of the Board of the Slovak Battery Alliance SBaA and in the Slovak National Hydrogen Association. His research focuses on the development of non-destructive corrosion monitoring techniques, accident expertise, and corrosion of advanced materials, nanomaterials and nanosafety. Maroš is currently the head of the Corrosion laboratory at the Research Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies „Promatech“ (SAV). Together with leading Slovak scientists and the self-governing region- Košice, he is the leader of a Comprehensive/Complex Strategic Study aimed at identifying the potential of hydrogen technologies in industries and education in the region.