On Friday, the first hydrogen charging station in Bulgaria and the region was officially opened at 11 Iskarsko Shose Street, Sofia. This significant development was announced by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and the HITMOBIL – Technologies and Systems for Clean Energy Generation, Storage, and Consumption Centre of Competence, along with the Academician Evgeni Budevski Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES) at BAS.
Launch of Hydrogen Electric Mobility in Bulgaria
The unveiling of this hydrogen charging station signifies the dawn of hydrogen electric mobility in the country. The station, produced by the Austrian company EDC-Anlagentechnik, represents a major step forward in Bulgaria’s commitment to adopting clean energy technologies. The project’s main contractors, Aquachim, Monbat, and Delectra, played pivotal roles in bringing this initiative to fruition.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Hydrogen at the station is generated on-site through the electrolysis of water, with a capacity to produce 8 kilograms per day. This freshly produced hydrogen is then compressed to either 350 bar or 700 bar for refueling, accommodating a wide range of vehicles from cars to heavy trucks. The use of high-pressure buffer tanks ensures quick refueling capabilities. Additionally, for larger demands, the station can source hydrogen from cylinder groups produced elsewhere.
The facility’s storage capabilities include high-pressure vessels that can hold up to 70 kilograms of compressed hydrogen, providing a range of up to 7,000 kilometers. Its daily compression capacity ranges from 40-50 kilograms, sufficient to refuel 10-15 cars or two buses.
Support and Future Prospects
The HITMOBIL project is supported by a grant from the EU-co-financed Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth. This project not only positions Bulgaria as a leader in innovative technologies but also aligns with global advancements in hydrogen energy.
Statements from Dignitaries
At the opening, the President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. Julian Revalski, remarked, “Bulgaria could be a leading country in the highest innovative technologies in the world.”
Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “The opening of the first hydrogen station in Bulgaria and the region is a huge success, because for the last five years in the European Parliament one of the main topics has been precisely the fuel of the future – hydrogen.”
Caretaker Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Prof. Georgi Angelov, discussed the strategic vision for hydrogen in Bulgaria. “We are moving completely in step with the world. In other countries, although more developed economically, this is also just a beginning,” he explained, referring to the comprehensive Hydrogen Strategy that outlines the steps for the development of hydrogen in the coming years.
This landmark development not only marks Bulgaria’s entry into the hydrogen fuel landscape but also sets a precedent for future technological advancements in the region.
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