News

With the support of TEŠ, NEXTISTENCE established the Competence Center for Advanced Applied Energy Technologies and Solutions (KENT) in February 2026. The partnership was formally confirmed through the signing of a cooperation agreement.

KENT is a research and development platform dedicated to the development, testing, and implementation of advanced energy technologies, while also connecting key stakeholders involved in the energy transition. The center operates in Šoštanj, in close proximity to major energy infrastructure, enabling the development and testing of new technologies within a real industrial environment. The competence center represents an important development initiative for the future of the Šalek Valley, one of Slovenia’s key energy regions. At a time when the energy sector is gradually transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, KENT provides a platform for the development of technologies that will support the sustainable transformation of the energy system and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The center’s mission is to accelerate the development of innovative energy solutions, encourage the creation of high-impact development projects, and contribute to the establishment of new technology-driven companies and high-value-added jobs.



KENT also serves as a platform for the formation of project consortia and the preparation of development initiatives for national and European funding programmes. The center is designed as an open innovation environment that brings together companies, research institutions, development organisations, and public-sector stakeholders. Its activities are focused on the development of applied solutions in renewable energy, advanced energy systems, and particularly hydrogen technologies, which are expected to play a major role in the future of low-carbon energy systems.

Objectives and Areas of Activity

The key objectives of the competence center are:

• Development of innovative energy solutions for the production, storage, and use of renewable energy
• Implementation of advanced technologies, particularly hydrogen technologies and energy storage systems
• Strengthening collaboration between industry, research institutions, and development partners
• Development of educational programmes and professional training in emerging energy technologies
• Promotion of sustainable practices in the energy sector and reduction of carbon emissions
• Creating conditions for the establishment of new companies and high-value-added jobs within the green energy sector

Development Projects and Demonstration Environment

The center carries out research projects, pilot projects, and demonstrations of new technologies, enabling their testing under real industrial conditions.

Special focus areas include:

• Hydrogen technologies (fuel cells, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage systems)
• Advanced energy systems and energy management
• Digitalisation of the energy sector, including IoT applications and advanced analytics
• Development of energy communities and innovative energy infrastructure models

By connecting research, industry, and investment, KENT enables a faster transfer of technologies from development environments into practical application while supporting the creation of new technological projects and companies.

Why KENT

KENT creates a collaborative environment where industry, research, and development intersect in order to accelerate the implementation of advanced energy technologies and establish concrete development projects. Its location in Šoštanj, in immediate proximity to existing energy infrastructure, enables solutions to be tested within a real industrial environment and supports a faster transition from research to practical implementation. The center also serves as a platform for building development partnerships and project consortia capable of jointly participating in national and European funding calls. In doing so, KENT opens new opportunities for investment, technological development, and the creation of innovative companies. By combining expertise, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, KENT contributes to the development of advanced energy solutions that support the sustainable transformation of the energy sector and regional development.

Location:
Šoštanj, Slovenia – in immediate proximity to the energy infrastructure of Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ), enabling the development and testing of technologies within a real industrial environment.

Development Focus:
Advanced energy technologies, particularly hydrogen technologies, energy storage systems, advanced energy systems, and digitalisation of the energy sector.

Role of the Center:
A development and demonstration environment for research, pilot projects, technology testing, and the transfer of innovations from development into industrial application.

Partner Collaboration:
A platform for cooperation between companies, research institutions, development organisations, and the public sector, including the formation of project consortia for national and European funding programmes.

Development Potential:
Support for the creation of new technological projects, companies, and high-value-added jobs while contributing to the sustainable transformation of the energy sector and regional development.

Existing Activities of the Center

The center’s facilities have already become a meeting point for experts, companies, and development partners. On 19 February 2026, KENT hosted its first professional event, Hydrogen 2026, aimed at connecting regional companies in the development of projects focused on hydrogen technologies. The event focused on shaping project ideas, establishing development consortia, and identifying opportunities for applications to national and European funding programmes. Participants discussed the development and implementation of hydrogen technologies, opportunities arising from European cohesion policy and the region’s just transition process, as well as the technological and economic aspects of hydrogen utilisation. Part of the event was dedicated to practical group workshops, during which participants developed initial project proposals in the fields of energy systems, fuel-cell mobility, and the development of key components for hydrogen technologies.



Founders of the Center

NEXTISTENCE
NEXTISTENCE is a development institute focused on advanced technological solutions and future-oriented projects. The institute participates in numerous international development programmes and projects in the fields of energy, industrial digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation, biotechnology, and smart cities. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of applied technologies and demonstration environments where research concepts evolve into concrete technological solutions and innovative projects.

Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ) – Partner
Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (TEŠ) is one of the key production facilities within the Slovenian power system and an important pillar of Slovenia’s energy sector. Its core activities include the production of heat for district heating in the Šalek Valley and the generation of electricity, giving it an important role in ensuring a stable energy supply in Slovenia. The power plant has a long-standing tradition in the region and has represented the foundation of the Šalek Valley’s energy development for decades. Today, with its modern technological infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, TEŠ also represents an important industrial environment for the development of new energy solutions. In the context of the energy transition, TEŠ is gradually developing new initiatives and projects focused on future energy technologies and the sustainable transformation of the region. Through its cooperation in establishing the KENT competence center, TEŠ is creating opportunities for collaboration between industry, research institutions, and development partners in the development of advanced energy technologies of the future.