Croatia is a member of the EU since 1st July 2013 and actively works towards the success of the energy transition objectives to achieve the declared policies for achieving the low carbon economy. However, the following areas are still a concern in achieving carbon neutrality:

• R&I activities in the field are weak, calling for more national and European support to raise opportunities, bring closer to the wealth of EU knowledge and offer the means to address local needs with the support of the industry and broader communities.
• Enabling technologies like digitalization, storage, smart grids and reliable communications are not adequately addressed to facilitate the much wanted transition for the effective use of emerging technologies that include distributed RES, e-mobility with smart charging and V2G attributes and demand flexibility.
• End-users and citizens are not adequately empowered. This can be done through codes, appropriate regulations and market instruments to build and operate effective energy management systems, utilizing emerging technologies to grow into efficient energy communities with appropriate technologies to facilitate the optimal use of local resources for the benefit of the citizens.

To this end, PANTERA and SUPEERA project joined forces in this co-organised workshop at the Splitech conference to address the above-mentioned areas of concern by bringing together stakeholders in the field of smart grids, storage and local energy systems.