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ESHER
Development of a modern, thematically oriented research infrastructure, unique to Bulgaria and the region, dedicated to scientific research and innovation.
Read moreLABORATORIES
Overcoming infrastructure fragmentation by integrating components from 10 laboratories across 7 research institutions.
SERVICE REQUEST
A structured framework for submitting requests and communicating with users of the offered services through standardized forms.
Energy Storage and Hydrogen Energy
Energy is a fundamental factor for the functioning of any economy. It is directly linked to energy security, sustainability, and economic development. Today, the energy system is undergoing a profound transformation, necessary to achieve sustainable resource use and to limit environmental impact.
The National Research Infrastructure “Energy Storage and Hydrogen Energy” (ESHER), established by Decision No. 569/31.07.2014 and updated by Decision No. 354/29.06.2017 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, brings together nine entities: five research institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, three universities (located in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Blagoevgrad), and the BAS Innovation Center. The infrastructure follows the European strategy of consolidating expert scientific potential, available research facilities, and additional financial resources. This approach aims to accelerate a smooth, stable, and financially sustainable implementation of innovative technologies for energy storage from renewable energy sources, as well as their efficient utilization through energy conversion in households and industry - a process in which Bulgaria is becoming increasingly active, with the ambition to achieve a leading position in this still largely untapped technological and market niche in the region.
Activities in ESHER
The implementation of ESHER follows the Work Programme for 2018/2019,
which forms part of the Work Programme for the period 2018/19–2022/23, structured into four activities.
Activity 1
Establishment of an optimal project management and administrative support structure. Two executive bodies and one advisory structure ensuring effective coordination, implementation monitoring, and sustainable operation of ESHER.
Activity 2
Development of Integrated Thematic Laboratories “Research and Testing of Battery Energy Storage Systems” and “Hydrogen Energy with RES”, as well as upgrading the technological platform “Technological Development of a New Generation of Batteries”.
Activity 3
Maintenance and further development of a freely accessible website ensuring visibility of scientific research activities and providing descriptions of the offered services.
Activity 4
Scientific and applied research services, including service provision, project-related activities, dissemination, and training; development of a plan for the exploitation of results.
Hydrogen Energy and Battery Technologies
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Integrated Thematic Laboratory “Research and Testing of Battery Energy Storage Systems”
The laboratory conducts research on materials and technologies for energy storage.
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Integrated Thematic Laboratory “Hydrogen Energy with RES”
The laboratory develops and tests technologies for the storage and efficient use of energy from renewable energy sources.
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Technological Platform “Technological Development of a New Generation of Batteries”
The platform supports the transition from laboratory-scale developments to demonstration and implementation of innovations in the field of batteries.
News and Events
Read the latest NSI ESHER news and events.
ESHER Reports Progress in Stage 5 of the Project “Energy Storage and Hydrogen Energy”
In December 2025, the National Research Infrastructure “Energy Storage and Hydrogen Energy” (NI SEVE) successfully completed Stage 5 under Agreement D01-349, reporting progress in the development and advancement of Module 2. The commissioning of key equipment, along with the implementation of two technological lines for gas diffusion and zinc electrodes, expanded the opportunities for innovative research, increased t ...
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SEVENTH WORKING MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ...
On November 11, 2025, the Seventh Working Meeting of the General Assembly of NI ESHER was held at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IEES-BAS). The meeting was opened by Corresponding Member Evelina Slavcheva, President of BAS, and Assoc. Prof. ...
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SIXTH WORKING MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF T ...
On December 3 and 4, 2024, the Sixth Working Meeting of the ESHER General Assembly was held in the Compass Hall of the Paisii Hilendarski University in Plovdiv. On the first day, a joint meeting of the General Assembly and the ESHER Advisory Council was held, at which the results achieved in 2024, t ...
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