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Innovation and Safety

Hydrogen technologies, hydrogen separation, and safety

The research includes hydrogen production, the development and testing of membranes for electrolyzers, hydrogen separation from process gases, and the safety assessment of hydrogen technologies.

Thermochemical and catalytic conversion of fuels and waste

This area focuses on biomass gasification, the thermochemical conversion of solid fuels, the valorization of waste materials, and the catalytic production of hydrocarbons from alternative feedstocks.

Autonomous and energy-efficient systems

The research is dedicated to the development of off-grid energy systems, the utilization of waste heat using ORC technologies, and the optimization of energy processes.

Diagnostics, reliability, and operational safety

This area includes monitoring the technical condition of energy equipment, identifying faults and risks, and designing measures for safe and stable operation.

Environmental assessment and applied technology development

The research evaluates environmental impacts using the LCA methodology and supports increasing the technology readiness of innovative solutions for practical use in the energy sector and industry.

Description of the research group

The research group focuses on the development and application of modern energy technologies with an emphasis on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The main research goal of the group is to support low-emission energy through research into hydrogen technologies, energy conversion and storage, biomass gasification, the utilization of alternative fuels, and the integration of advanced energy systems into industrial practice. Another significant area of interest is the utilization of waste heat using ORC systems, the safety analysis of energy equipment, and the assessment of the environmental impacts of technologies using the LCA methodology. The group combines experimental research, modeling, diagnostics, and applied development with the aim of increasing the technology readiness of innovative solutions for the energy sector and industry.

Keywords

# hydrogen

# biomass gasification

# technologies

# energy

# safety

Objectives and Focus

The research group focuses on the development, testing, and implementation of innovative energy technologies with an emphasis on safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The group's activities include researching the safety properties of fuels, energy equipment, and technological processes, particularly concerning fire and explosion risks, as well as developing advanced solutions that support the decarbonization of industry and the energy sector.

The long-term goal of the group is to conduct internationally competitive applied research focused on low-emission energy, the alternative production of hydrocarbons without the use of fossil resources, and the development of sustainable energy systems. The group strives for the transfer of research results into industrial practice, cooperation with industrial partners, participation in national and European projects, and the publication of results in prestigious professional journals.

Ing. Ján Vereš, PhD.

Ing. Ján Vereš, PhD.

Research Group Leader

E-mail: jan.veres@vsb.cz
Phone: +420 596 994 924
Profile

Research Activities and Projects

The research group focuses primarily on applied research with a high degree of practical applicability. An experimental approach to verifying valid models ensures relevance to industrial requirements, thus forming an essential step between basic research and the market implementation of energy solutions. We carry out our research procedures using pilot and industrial-scale technologies, complemented by advanced laboratory analytical equipment. Our methods also include model-based environmental and economic evaluations of the processes and materials used.

SYNCO2H2: Sustainable catalytic synthesis of atmospheric carbon and green hydrogen into light alcohols

  • Program: TS Project – THÉTA 2 Applied Research and Innovation Support Programme (2024–2031)
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2024–2028
  • Principal investigator: doc. Dr. Ing. Tadeáš Ochodek
  • Research and development of a new catalytic material as a key active component for the synthesis process of light alcohols (methanol/ethanol).

CatPCM: Catalysis of phase change materials for sustainable heat storage in buildings

  • Program: TS Project – THÉTA 2 Applied Research and Innovation Support Programme (2024–2031)
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2024–2028
  • Principal investigator: Ing. Jakub Čespiva, Ph.D.
  • A tool for increasing thermal comfort in buildings while simultaneously reducing the need for energy supplies (potential reduction in the use of fossil resources).

RESORB-GHG: Recyclable waste-derived sorbents for the sustainable management of operational greenhouse gas emissions

  • Program: TQ Project – SIGMA Applied Research and Innovation Support Programme (2022–2035)
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2025–2027
  • Principal investigator: Ing. Jakub Čespiva, Ph.D.
  • Production of new, efficient sorbents based on waste materials, which will act as functional elements in controlling the composition of flue gases and process gases.

AI-WASTE: AI-supported optimization of thermochemical processes for resource recovery from waste

  • Program: TQ Project – SIGMA Applied Research and Innovation Support Programme (2022–2035)
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2026–2028
  • Principal investigator: Ing. Jakub Čespiva, Ph.D.
  • The project proposal focuses on waste management through the energy recovery of waste. The proposal aims to improve thermochemical processes and optimize operating conditions for the energy and material utilization of waste using an advanced AI-supported predictive model to increase process efficiency.

Innovative transfer of knowledge from the study of hydride mixtures from the laboratory to industrial enterprises

  • Program: TQ Project – SIGMA Applied Research and Innovation Support Programme (2022–2035)
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2026–2028
  • Principal investigator: Ing. Jan Skřínský, Ph.D.
  • The aim of the project is to research the safety and material aspects of metal hydrides for use in hydrogen storage and their safe application in industrial practice. The project focuses on the design and preparation of hydride materials, as well as their experimental and model evaluation in terms of reactivity, explosiveness, and stability under operating and emergency conditions.

Fire and technical properties of dust dispersions, hybrid mixtures, and dispersions of energetic materials in non-standard explosion equipment close to practical conditions

  • Program: VK Project – Open Calls in Security Research 2023–2029 (OPSEC) (2023–2029)
  • Provider: Ministry of the Interior
  • Implementation period: 2026–2029
  • Principal investigator: Ing. Jan Skřínský, Ph.D.
  • The project focuses on investigating the fire and technical properties of dust dispersions and hybrid mixtures, including dust dispersions of energetic materials, under real practical conditions.

National Centre for Energy II (NCE II)

  • Project No.: TN02000025
  • Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Implementation period: 2023–2028
  • Principal investigator: prof. Ing. Stanislav Mišák, Ph.D.
  • The mission of NCE II is to stimulate long-term cooperation between leading research organizations and major application entities in the energy market. NCE II is a cluster of leading research organizations, universities, and innovation leaders in the field of modern energy.

Research Excellence For REgion Sustainability and High-tech Industries (REFRESH)

  • Project No.: CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048
  • Provider: Ministry of the Environment
  • Implementation period: 2022–2027
  • Principal investigator: prof. Ing. Igor Ivan, Ph.D.
  • The project focuses on strengthening research excellence and building top-tier infrastructure for the development of technologies in the areas of sustainable energy, materials, digitalization, and environmental technologies with the aim of supporting the transformation of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Methodology

  • Applied research focused on the practical application of results
  • Experimental verification of theoretical and computational models
  • Testing of technologies on a pilot and industrial scale
  • Laboratory analysis of materials, products, and operating parameters
  • Verification of technologies under conditions corresponding to industrial practice
  • Environmental assessment of processes and materials used
  • Economic evaluation of proposed technological solutions
  • Transfer of research results into industrial and market applications

Services

  • Fire and technical characteristics
  • Catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons
  • Thermochemical conversion
  • LCA analysis
  • ORC technologies
  • Hydrogen separation technologies
  • Development and testing of membranes for electrolyzers
  • Hydrogen systems for industry and the energy sector

Results and Applications

The Innovation and Safety research group provides an expert foundation for the development of modern energy and industrial technologies, with an emphasis on their practical applicability, safety, and environmental impacts. The contribution of this research lies primarily in supporting the implementation of hydrogen technologies, the efficient utilization of energy resources, and the transformation of the industry towards a low-carbon economy. The group provides experimental verification of technologies, technical analyses, and the development of innovative solutions applicable in the energy, transport, and industrial sectors. The research results contribute to reducing the emissions burden, increasing energy self-sufficiency, and ensuring the safe operation of new energy systems.

Utility models, patents, prototypes

  • Heated collection vessel with automated valves and level meters for the separation of liquid products of catalytic synthesis in an isolated pressure environment (Utility model; Jan Čespiva, Ján Vereš, Jan Skřínský; 2025)
  • Micro-cogeneration unit with ORC technology (Prototype, 2024)
  • Device for testing the efficiency of a system for high-pressure hydrogen production using an electrochemical compressor and an electrolyzer, particularly of the PEM type (Utility model, 2024)

Selected Publications

Partners

The Innovation and Safety research group has a long-standing collaboration with universities, research institutions, industrial partners, and the public sector at both the national and international levels. Joint activities are primarily focused on the development and verification of innovative technologies in the fields of hydrogen energy, the safety of technological processes, thermochemical conversion, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy systems.

As part of its international scientific cooperation, the group carries out joint research activities and project solutions with institutions such as:

National Cheng Kung University
National Taipei University of Technology
Korean Institute of Science and Technology
National Sun Yat-sen University
Institute on Membrane Technology
Wrocław University of Science and Technology
AGH University of Krakow
University of Porto
Chemnitz University of Technology

Významnou součástí aktivit skupiny je také intenzivní spolupráce s průmyslovými partnery v oblasti vodíkových technologií, energetiky, bezpečnosti procesů a využití alternativních paliv. Mezi hlavní průmyslové partnery patří například:

Henry gas a.s
Ranido s.r.o.
LeanCAT s.r.o.
Devinn s.r.o.
OZO Ostrava
HEGAs s.r.o.
TechSim Engineering s.r.o.,
IHAS s.r.o.
OZM Research, s.r.o.
COUP OSTRAVA s.r.o.
Veolia Energie ČR, a.s.
SBB Energy S.A.

Contact Information

Ing. Čespiva Jakub, Ph.D.

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
jakub.cespiva@vsb.cz
+420 596 993 866

prof. RNDr. Danihelka Pavel, CSc.

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
pavel.danihelka@vsb.cz
+420 596 992 822
+420 596 993 847

Ing. Koloničný Jan, Ph.D.

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
jan.kolonicny@vsb.cz
+420 596 993 847

Ing. Kupka David, Ph.D.

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
david.kupka@vsb.cz
+420 596 994 926
17. listopadu 2172/15 (map)
708 00 Ostrava - Poruba

doc. Dr. Ing. Ochodek Tadeáš

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
tadeas.ochodek@vsb.cz
+420 596 994 265

Ing. Skřínský Jan, Ph.D.

Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
jan.skrinsky@vsb.cz
+420 596 994 931

Ing. Vereš Ján, PhD.

Head of Department (9341)
Employee (9340)
Employee (9341)
jan.veres@vsb.cz
+420 596 994 924