The laboratory units two BAS institutions - IEES and IGIC integrated on the basis of equipment capabilities, combining the available equipment and long-term expertise of the two organizations scientific teams in a wide range of activities related to the development of new materials as well as innovative electrochemical and physical methods for their characterization. The integration is based on the two main partner laboratories "Electrode Materials for Batteries" and "Battery Testing", which have the potential to conduct basic and applied research on developments for high-efficiency energy storage systems, supplemented by expertise at the national and international level, approved by a lot of contacts with the Bulgarian industry.

The laboratory offers specialized investigation of new materials - synthesis and analysis. The equipment available, purchased or upgraded within ESHER program, allow obtaining materials by high-temperature synthesis up to 1600оС. Advanced tools for materials investigation are applied: X-ray phase and structural analysis of solid phase materials (XRD); Characterization of crystal/particle size and morphology by electron microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM and X-ray microanalysis); Total pore volume determination, their size distribution, volume and density, specific surface area (BET), etc. The Laboratory conducts also chemical composition analysis of metal compounds, carbons and other chemical substances used as raw materials in the manufacture of electrochemical power sources, as well as of the intermediate products obtained as a result of chemical conversions at different stages of battery operation.

Dr. Sasho Vassilev is a professor at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems "Acad. Evgeni Budevski ” (IEES), BAS. His scientific work is focused in the field of materials science, X-ray diffraction, phase analysis, close order in amorphous materials, nanoscale materials, materials for electrochemical power sources, thin films and fibers, new materials for industry, medicine and ecology. He has expertise in the field of layer structure and secondary layers extinction.

The main activity of the laboratory is related to testing and qualification of batteries and fuel cells. The available equipment makes it possible to test single electrodes, cells, batteries and fuel cell stacks. With the help of impedance-based techniques it is possible to conduct diagnostics of batteries, hydrogen and hybrid energy storage systems and transport applications. The laboratory has equipment and expertise for conducting accelerated stress tests to study the degradation processes of energy storage / conversion systems, incl. and high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

Dr. Emilia Mladenova is a senior assistant at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems "Acad. Evgeni Budevski ”(IEES), BAS. Her research activity is focused on the study of materials and energy storage systems through various standard and non-standard methods of analysis, incl. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. He has experience and knowledge of conducting basic research and applied techniques for the development of various electrochemical systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, etc.).

The laboratory has equipment and well-trained specialists for preparation, testing and complex characterization of various electrode materials. The activities are carried out in development  of new methods for synthesis which allow to control  the composition, the structure and the morphology of the obtained electrode materials, as well as their complex characterization and determination of chemical, physical and electrochemical properties. For their characterization different physico-chemical techniques are applied: X-ray analysis, structural, spectroscopic, microscopic, thermal and electrochemical, which allows a detailed description of the mechanism of the processes of reversible intercalation/deintercalation. By understanding the relationships between the macroscopic properties of the compounds and the local structure of their constituent components, more efficient materials are created and the properties of those already known are controlled.

Dr. Eli Grigorova is an associate professor at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry (IONH), BAS. She conducts research in the field of metals and intermetals for hydrogen storage. Her research interests also include intermetals suitable for anodes in NiMH batteries, as well as mechanochemical synthesis of alloys.

The laboratory implements fundamental and applied research in the field of electrochemical energy sources. The lab team has long-term scientific background in battery systems investigation on Zn/MnO₂, Ni/Cd, Ni/MH, primary and secondary lithium batteries as well as metal-air systems. The Laboratory offers services such as electrode preparation using different techniques regarding the material requirements, assembly of test cells (in a glove box keeping low moisture and oxygen contents for lithium-ion batteries assembly) and electrochemical analysis. The materials electrochemical properties can be studied by cyclic voltammetry, charge and discharge galvanostatic mode (long term cycling), Constant Current Constant Voltage (CC-CV) mode, Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) to determine the diffusion coefficient, etc. In addition, the laboratory has the necessary capacity to evaluate the characteristics of the commercial cells.

Dr. Simeon Stankov is a senior assistant at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems "Acad. Evgeni Budevski” (IEES), BAS. His research interests include the study of intercalation compounds such as active materials for aprotic lithium-ion and post-lithium-ion batteries, new battery systems based on aqueous electrolytes and innovative composite materials for the conversion, production and storage of electricity.

The laboratory achieves coordinated and joint activities for the preparation, testing and characterization of a wide range of objects with specific areas of application using the integrated facilities and expertise of 7 partner laboratories, geographically located in three different Bulgarian cities and several institutions. By creating a national research space in the area of ​​"Hydrogen Energy with RES", the Laboratory aims to support developments at the level of technological readiness for basic, fundamental research. With modernized and renewed equipment base, the integrated thematic laboratory assists for painless introduction of the innovative technologies for energy storage from RES and for its efficient co-generation and conversion in the household and industry.

The laboratory performs fundamental and applied research in the field of hydrogen energy systems with solid polymer electrolyte. Complex electrodes are fabricated, membrane electrode packages with cation (PEM) and anion conducting (AEM) electrolyte membranes are assembled, and characterized by modern electrochemical methods. Polarization curves are taken, long-term tests are performed to determine the optimal and peak mode of operation and accelerated tests to assess the degradation processes and life cycle of single cells and stacks.

Dr. Galin Borisov is an associate professor at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems "Acad. Evgeni Budevski” (IEES), BAS. His research activities are in the field of hydrogen electrochemical technologies, including the development and testing of fuel cells, water electrolyzers, hydrogen electrochemical compressors, as well as the study of the operation of these devices in integrated complex systems.

The Laboratory Cross-linked polymers at IP-BAS performs fundamental and applied research in the field of synthesis of polybenzimidazoles (PBI) and nanocomposites based on them for application in the production of solid polymer-electrolyte membranes (proton- and anion-conducting), which serve as a key component in the manufacture of membrane electrode packages for medium and high temperature hydrogen fuel cells and for water and water-alcohol cells. Another direction is the production of a new generation of nanofibrous and carbonized materials from PBI and their potential application in hydrogen technologies.

Dr. Hristo Penchev is an associate professor at the Institute of Polymers (IP), BAS. His research activity is in the field of polymer engineering - synthesis and modification of polybenzimidosols and (nano) composite materials based on them and their use in the technological production of ion-conducting membranes as a component in fuel and electrolysis cells. Develops technologies for obtaining chemically stabilized polybenzimidosols, composite membranes and binders highly donated with acid and alkali electrolytes.

The Laboratory conducts research on the development and research of new materials and technologies for the generation and conversion of energy from renewable energy sources. The existing material base, purchased or modernized with funds from ESHER allows for the development of thin-film materials for photovoltaic devices and research of their properties. The laboratory has a vacuum installation for evaporation of thin layers, a spinner for deposition of thin layers of solution by rotation in a box with an inert atmosphere, an optical microscope with micrometric resolution to characterize surface morphology and defects, a potentiostat/ galvanostat for electrical measurements and electro of thin layers, scanning Kelvin microscope to measure excretory work.

Dr. Maxim Ganchev is an associate professor at the Laboratory of Solar Energy and New Energy Sources (CL SENES), BAS. His research interests are in the field of materials and devices for solar energy conversion, dvelopment of technologies for obtaining new thin-layer nanometric structures from inorganic and organometallic materials and devices, and characterization of their electrical and physical properties.

The laboratory being a part of at the Center for Hydrogen Technologies of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (CVT-UCTM) is  specialized in the production of hydrogen by pulse electrolysis and photoelectrolysis, as well as characterization of photo-sensitivity and photo-electrochemical properties of materials. The laboratory has modern specialized equipment, supplemented and modernized within ESHER, and offers electrochemical characterization in stationary and dynamic conditions (current-potential curves, current-time, impedance spectra) of electrocatalysts for pulse electrolysis of water; characterization of the photo-sensitivity of materials in a wide range of light energies in stationary and dynamic electrochemical conditions (photo-voltammetry, photo-current energy spectroscopy); characterization of photo-absorbers and photo-catalysts for decomposition of water in stationary and dynamic conditions (photo-current spectroscopy with modulation of light intensity, photo-impedance spectroscopy).

DSc. Martin Bojinov is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (UCTM), Sofia and Director of the Center for Hydrogen Technologies at UCTM. He has over 30 years of expertise in the experimental characterization and modeling of corrosion and anodic oxidation of metals and alloys, nanotechnologies and nanomaterials for energy, incl. electrolysis and photoelectrolysis, and development of experimental techniques in electrochemistry and corrosion.

The Laboratory of Bioelectrochemical Systems for Hydrogen Production is part of the University Innovation Center for Eco Energy Technologies, created by a decision of the Academic Council of South-West University "Neofit Rilski" from 21.12.2012. The main activity of the laboratory is related to the development and characterization of new electrode materials, as well as the construction and testing of microbial electrolysis cells of different design

Dr. Mario Mitov is a professor at the Southwestern University "Neofit Rislki", Blagoevgrad. He lectures on General and Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry. His research interests are focused on the characterization of new nanomaterials as potential electrodes for batteries and fuel cells and the study of bioelectrochemical systems including microbial fuel cells, microbial electrolysis cells and direct photosynthetic plant fuel cells.

The Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergy is based at the University of Plovdiv and performs fundamental and applied research in the field of microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells. The analyzes include a study of the behavior of bioelectrochemical systems and their individual elements with an emphasis on the detailed study of the biocatalysts used. Interdisciplinary methods such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, determination of enzyme activities related to the respiratory chains, as well as the expression of specific genes are applied.

The Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergy is based at the University of Plovdiv and performs fundamental and applied research in the field of microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells. The analyzes include a study of the behavior of bioelectrochemical systems and their individual elements with an emphasis on the detailed study of the biocatalysts used. Interdisciplinary methods such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, determination of enzyme activities related to the respiratory chains, as well as the expression of specific genes are applied.

DSc. Yolina Hubenova gives lectures on Ecological Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemical Workshop, Biochemistry. Her research interests are focused on the characterization of metabolic pathways and the study of the respiratory chain components of biocatalysts that contribute to the generation of electricity in biofuels, as well as the study of mass and charge transfer in bioelectrochemical systems.

gives lectures on Ecological Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemical Workshop, Biochemistry. Her research interests are focused on the characterization of metabolic pathways and the study of the respiratory chain components of biocatalysts that contribute to the generation of electricity in biofuels, as well as the study of mass and charge transfer in bioelectrochemical systems.

The Laboiratory of Chemical & Biochemical Reactors is a structural unit at the Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChE). There are catalytic processes in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems studied in the Laboratory with applications in chemical industry, energetics and environment protection.

IChE activities are based on its scientific methodology, scientific capacity and broad experience in the scientific and applied research fields of chemical technology and industrial biotechnologies.

The main directions in research and development activities of IChE are in the area of fuel cell applications, biofuel production and waste recycling. They are fully consistent with the stated priorities of the National and European strategies 2020 and they can be summarized as follows: energy and energy efficiency; development of green and eco-technologies; biotechnology and production of pure products; advanced materials and technologies; information and communication technologies.

Prof. Venko Beschkov, DSc, is researcher in IChE and leading participant in the team. His present research interests are in the area of integrated chemical and microbial methods for waste recycling and energy production (biogas, fuel cell applications, hydrogen) as well as carbon dioxide recycling tor chemical products. The main goal is to combine waste treatment with energy production and carbon dioxide removal.

The platform aims to fill the infrastructure gap for scaling up of advanced laboratory developments (below Technological Readiness Level 4) of a number of National and European projects, allowing the continuation of the developments in the direction of demonstration and implementation. The platform is structured in several modules, aiming scaling up of the best battery and fuel cell developments.

The laboratory, which is under construction, will allow technological research and testing of new developments and scaling of batteries such as metal-air, nickel / zinc and others. The equipment will allow the production of electrodes - gas diffusion and metal electrodes with a larger area and, accordingly, the assembly of pilot samples of batteries that have reached the Тechnological Readiness Level 4-5.

Dr. Borislav Abrashev is an assistant  professor at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems "Acad. Evgeni Budevski ”(IEES), BAS. His research activity is in the field of energy storage (hydrogen storage in metal-hydride alloys and metal-air systems, including zinc-air batteries, nickel metal-hydride batteries, etc. He participates in a number of international and national projects related to the topic of hydrogen storage.

The laboratory offers modern methods such as X-ray phase and structural analysis; electron microscopy (SEM); BET analysis, etc. They are designed for quick analysis and ongoing control of both manufactured components and finал products. The specific techniques and the equipment upgrade aim at the completion of the so-called Auxiliary laboratory for Technological control (characterization and testing) of a laboratory to serve the technological development of TRL4-5 developments with post-mortem characterization.

Dr. Sasho Vassilev is a professor at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES), BAS. His scientific work is focused in the field of materials science, X-ray diffraction, phase analysis, close order in amorphous materials, nanoscale materials, materials for electrochemical power sources, thin films and fibers, new materials for industry, medicine and ecology. He has expertise in the field of layer structure and secondary extinction in layers.

(Construction will start in 2023)

Темата за впръскване на водород в природния газ е Европейски приоритет поради възможността за мащабно въвеждане на водорода в кръговата икономика и улеснения му транспорт чрез изградената газопреносна мрежа. Основната дейност на лабораторията е свързана с анализ на газови смеси на обогатен с водород природен газ в различно съотношение и изследване на влиянието им върху ефективността на системите и газовите емисии, отделяни при тяхната работа. В дългосрочен план се очаква развитието на платформата в посока на изследване на това влияние върху газопреносната система с включени крайни потребители, използващи природен газ, смес от природен газ и водород.

The laboratory has the opportunity to assess the parameters of gas mixtures compatible with the operation and performance for domestic use and study the impact of different concentrations of hydrogen into the natural gas grid mixtures to determine allowable amounts for efficient operation of these appliances. This allows the permissible concentrations of hydrogen in gas mixtures to be determined so that there is no negative effect on the operation of the appliances used by the customers of the gas distribution companies.

Dr. Nikolay Hristov is a senior assistant at the University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski”. He teaches at the Department of Geology and Mineral Research at the Faculty of Geology, where he completed his doctorate. Dr. Hristov is among the best engineers in Bulgaria working in the field of exploration of the earth's bowels and their reserves. Participates in and manages international projects for oil and gas exploration and for the design and construction of gas storage facilities and networks.

(Construction will start in 2023).

Its activity requires significant financial resources. ESHER can provide the necessary expertise for its implementation, for which, however, the participation of the government and business is mandatory.