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.

The aim of SET4H2 is to provide organisational, logistic and secretarial support to the newly formed Implementation Working Group on hydrogen under the revamped SET Plan. This includes refining the IWG’s mission and identity, finalising the Implementation Plan and exploiting synergies with the activities of other SET Plan stakeholders and relevant European and international hydrogen initiatives. The new IWG can build on the results already achieved in the ERA pilot initiative “Agenda Process on Green Hydrogen”, a comprehensive pan-European strategy-building process involving 30 European countries, and thus can achieve faster progress in implementing the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. The CSA supports the IWG in applying an integrated, systematic and interdisciplinary approach to address research needs, while considering the different starting conditions of European countries in the energy transition. Furthermore, the CSA will contribute to enhancing cooperation and synergies among Member States and SET-Plan countries, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making and implementation of the IP’s activity fiches as well as facilitating mutual coordination of R&I programmes. The consortium of SET4H2 consists of eight members having the necessary experience both in the field of hydrogen and in the context of coordination within the SET Plan. Consortium members have worked together in several contexts and are involved with IWGs including the new one on hydrogen. The annual work plan enables priority-setting in all six work packages, with WP2 leading the thematic focus and consolidating the findings from analytical work in WP 3, 4 and 5 and from regular exchange with the hydrogen IWG members, other IWGs and hydrogen initiatives. WP6 serves to develop and carry out tailored communication and outreach activities, while WP1 ensures the targeted and efficient implementation of the CSA as well as the exchange with the European Commission.

Stara Zagora is a strategic logistic centre in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. It is also host to one of the biggest power production complexes in Europe (Maritsa East). This makes it the perfect location to showcase the versatility and potential of green hydrogen as means to improve air quality in the city, reduce CO2 emissions for energy production and mobility applications, and generate economic welfare. The demonstration of clean, safe, and sustainable hydrogen technology applications will improve public perception of hydrogen ecosystems, and kick start a hydrogen-based economy not only in the region but across the country. ZAHYR will install and demonstrate two electrolysers with a combined installed power of 5MW, to be run on green electricity produced in a new 20MW PV plant. The hydrogen produced will be used in various transport and energy applications. These include the installation of two Hydrogen Refuelling Stations to service a fleet of 10 city buses, 2 heavy transport trucks and 2 light-duty vehicles. A bi-fuel gas turbine will be installed in which blending limits between hydrogen and natural gas will be tested. A 1MW fuel cell at Stara Zagora will provide the municipality’s public night lighting, showcasing how this municipality can become net zero emission. Finally, a broad training and education program will be set up resulting in a master’s degree. An intense replicability activity will be carried out based on the organization of the Hydrogen Valley Development Group.