Project start: 1.10.2025.

Increasing demands at the EU level for renewable energy sources (GreenDeal, RePowerEU) as well as the need for energy self-sufficiency in each country indicate the need for greater engagement in the installation of renewable energy sources. Croatia has almost fully utilized hydropower potential, so the main focus has become the installation of wind turbines and solar panels. Solar panels are an excellent solution, but compared to other renewable energy sources, they require a larger area to produce the same amount of energy. Wind farms on a small area can achieve significantly higher energy production, but require a carefully selected location with regard to wind potential, distance from settlements, connection to the power grid, avoidance of bird migration routes, etc. Increasing the rotor size increases the amount of energy produced, but this leads to the need for a greater distance between wind turbines and a greater impact on the surrounding population. For this reason, the installation of offshore wind turbines is a possible solution where significantly larger wind turbines can be installed. The importance of research is also confirmed by the European Union's goals for increasing offshore wind capacity from 19.38 GW (2023) to 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. Preliminary research in the Adriatic Sea has identified potential installation locations where relatively low wind speeds have been observed. For this reason, within the framework of this project, new technological solutions with innovative rotor designs, optimal wind farm design and the possibility of installing hybrid systems - wind farms with solar panels, which would achieve a greater amount of energy produced from renewable sources, will be tested for selected locations. In addition, a survey of the local population's perception of the aforementioned technologies will be conducted, which has proven to be a significant factor in the implementation of planned installations in other countries.