Time	Duration	Session	Details	Speakers
08:30:00	00:30:00	Registration and Breakfast	Opportunity for participants to network and discuss ideas.
09:00:00	00:30:00	Opening and Welcome Speeches	Key figures will welcome attendees and set the tone for the conference.	Ambassadors, Primož Lemež
09:30:00	00:15:00	Keynote Speech	EU financial and legislative frameworks in the new EC mandate.	Cesar Santos, EC DG Environment
09:45:00	00:20:00	Presentation	Recent advancements in battery technology.	Robert Dominko
10:05:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Towards the industrialization of LFP batteries in Subotica.	Nemanja Mikać
10:20:00	00:15:00	Networking Break	Opportunity for participants to network and discuss ideas.
10:35:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Battery engineering; thermal management and safety.	Tom Horvat, AVL
10:50:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Second-life applications for batteries.	Andrej Pečjak, Metron inštitut
11:05:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Batteries in maritime applications.	Jure Podkrižnik, Podkrižnik
11:20:00	00:40:00	Panel Discussion: Innovations in Battery Materials	Discussion on new materials for anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and solid-state technologies.	Robert Dominko, Simon Franko, Uroš Herlec, Tom Horvat
12:00:00	00:15:00	Networking Break	Opportunity for participants to network and discuss ideas.
12:15:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Basic materials and their availability/cost.	Uroš Herlec
12:30:00	00:40:00	Panel Discussion: The Battery Business from A to Z	Overview of key materials, R&D, battery production, recycling, and Europe’s outlook.	Simon Franko, Uroš Herlec, Zoltán Maráczi, Andrej Pečjak, Jure Podkrižnik, Tom Horvat
13:10:00	00:25:00	Keynote Session	Presentation of the Slovenian Battery Center.	Dr. Robert Dominko
13:35:00	00:15:00	Networking Break	Opportunity for participants to network and discuss ideas.
13:50:00	00:15:00	Presentation	Why does nobody like batteries?	Katarzyna Iwińska
14:05:00	00:30:00	Panel Discussion	Storage solutions, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).	Andrej Pečjak, Boris Kuhelj, TBA
14:35:00	00:30:00	SEBA Presentation and Discussion	Establishing a regional interest association for SEBA.	Primož Lemež, Jelena Simjanović
15:05:00	00:10:00	Closing Remarks	Summary of the day’s discussions and a call to action for collaboration.	Primož Lemež
15:15:00		Lunch	Opportunity for participants to network and discuss ideas.

Press Release: Southeast Europe Battery Conference

The Southeast Europe Battery Conference will soon bring together leading experts, industry players, and policymakers to delve into critical advancements in battery technology, the battery industry, and the role of energy storage in the green transition. This year’s conference promises a comprehensive review of the battery sector’s latest progress and its trajectory, featuring high-profile speakers and key industry stakeholders.

Key Themes of the Conference

This conference will cover the current landscape of battery technology, the latest breakthroughs, and challenges faced by the battery industry. Attendees can expect in-depth sessions on:

• Battery Technology Advancements: Highlights include the recent progress in lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, plus innovations in new materials such as nanomaterials and advanced cathodes and anodes. Experts will also address the
  ongoing quest for greater battery capacity, safety, and faster charging solutions.
• Economic Insights and Industry Trends: This section will explore production costs per MWh, economic trends, and the global market’s competitive landscape. With a strong focus on Europe’s unique position in the battery value chain, speakers will discuss future growth, investment projections, and Europe’s potential in battery production and recycling.
• Environmental and Safety Challenges: The conference will spotlight battery recycling, environmental concerns, and the industry's commitment to sustainability. Key figures will discuss efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of battery production and strategies to address waste management.

Distinguished Speakers and Participants

The conference will feature esteemed experts, including Dr. Robert Dominko of the National Institute of Chemistry, a leading researcher in battery chemistry; Uroš Herlec, a geologist with expertise in critical minerals; and Nemanja Mikać, owner of Eleven ES, Europe’s first LFP battery factory. Additionally, Andrej Pečjak, a pioneer of e-mobility in Slovenia, and
Katarzyna Iwińska, a sociologist addressing social perspectives on battery adoption, will share their insights. Representatives from prominent organizations, including AVL (Austria), TAB, Metron Institute, and Podkrižnik (Slovenia), will also contribute to discussions.

The European Commission’s battery policy and legislative frameworks will be presented by Cesar Santos, representing the Directorate-General for Environment, while the Southeast Europe Battery Association (SEBA) will formally establish a collaborative network to advance regional interests. SEBA’s establishment is a milestone for securing funding, fostering joint projects, and facilitating information exchange within Southeast Europe.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Battery Technologies

As the conference nears its conclusion, sessions will focus on potential breakthroughs expected over the next 5-10 years and the vision for battery technology in 2050. Speakers will highlight ongoing research, collaborative industry-academia projects, and new market opportunities. A closing panel will underscore the essential need for continued innovation, investment, and skilled professionals in the field.

This conference is free to attend, and we welcome all professionals, academics, and stakeholders interested in the future of battery technology. For registration, please visit: https://forms.gle/JmbYXmNuvedsH5JQ8.

Join us to be part of Southeast Europe’s battery revolution!