Project description
Paving the way for Bulgaria’s hydrogen future
Bulgaria’s transition to a low-carbon economy faces a challenge in replacing its coal-dependent energy sector with sustainable alternatives. The city of Stara Zagora, historically an energy production hub, is poised for transformation through the EU-funded H2START project that aims to establish a centre of excellence (CoE) for renewable hydrogen production. This initiative will position Stara Zagora as a key hydrogen valley in Europe. Supported by Trakia University and the Bulgarian Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Energy Storage Association, and with international partners Politecnico di Torino and the Italian National Research Council, the CoE will lead research and innovation, attract talent and foster industry collaboration. This initiative promises modern infrastructure, institutional reform and skilled employment opportunities, driving Bulgaria’s clean energy transition and placing the nation at the forefront of renewable hydrogen technologies.
Objective
The H2START project aims to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Stara Zagora to spearhead the advancement of innovative technologies for renewable hydrogen production and uptake. As an essential component of the transition towards a low-carbon and energy-secure economy, renewable hydrogen holds tremendous promise for Bulgaria, particularly in regions like Stara Zagora, historically developed as the energy production “heart” of the region, economically developed and well connected to infrastructure and trans-European roads.
The CoE, situated in the heart of Stara Zagora, is strategically positioned to lead the change in replacing coal mining with renewable energy and green hydrogen production, deployments and export. Recognised as a Hydrogen Valley by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (ZAHYR HV), the region's successful transformation hinges on excellence (R&I activities, attracting talents and gaining recognition and international collaboration).
Led by TrU and supported by BGH2A, the CoE aims to drive R&I initiatives, which will bring institutional change to the higher education sector in the whole system opening up to reforms linked to creating highly skilled employment opportunities, and positioning Bulgaria as an attractive hub for scientific and technological advancement. Collaboration with esteemed partners such as POLITO and CNR alongside the guidance of international recognized leaders, will ensure robust governance, management, and administration systems.
The CoE will revolutionize Bulgaria's research ecosystem, offering modern infrastructure and services to attract, nurture, and retain research talent while fostering collaboration with industry for enhanced innovation and technology transfer. As Bulgaria's research infrastructure outside of the capital Sofia, the CoE in Stara Zagora will serve as a beacon for bringing R&I in regions, positioning the nation at the forefront of clean energy transition technologies based on renewable hydrogen production.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences sociology governance
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fossil energy coal
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- social sciences economics and business business and management employment
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6000 Stara Zagora
Bulgaria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.