Start development of green hydrogen pilot project at "Chiren" underground storage (UGS)
Bulgartransgaz has joined domestic, Italian and American partners in a pilot project for the production and use of green hydrogen at Bulgaria's only underground gas storage facility, Chiren.
Bulgarian gas transmission and storage system operator Bulgartransgaz has launched a green hydrogen pilot project following the launch of a non-binding hydrogen market demand analysis survey.
It signed a memorandum of understanding with Bulgarian construction company Glavbolgarstroy Holding, gas turbine manufacturer Solar Turbines and industrial conglomerate Honeywell, both based in the United States, and gas technology company Pietro Fiorentini, headquartered in Arcugnano near Vicenza in Italy.
Bulgartransgaz said it will work with its new partners on the production and use of green hydrogen for the technological needs of Bulgaria's only underground gas storage facility, Chiren. This is located in the northwest of the country. According to the agreement, a study will be prepared to analyze possible technological solutions, mixing ratios and other characteristics.
Gas transmission company at the forefront of the hydrogen economy
The green hydrogen in Chiren is intended for technological needs as a fuel on site and is not planned to be supplied to third parties, Bulgartransgaz said.
Hydrogen is a cornerstone of the future economy and emission-free energy, according to Bulgartransgaz CEO Vladimir Malinov. "The experience of gas transmission system operators will guarantee the safety of the infrastructure, which will also be used for hydrogen transmission," he added.
The document was signed at the New Energy Landscape in Southeast Europe conference in Washington DC. Bulgartransgaz highlighted among its advanced projects the expansion of Chiren's capacity, the construction of the interconnection with Serbia and participation in the LNG terminal under construction in Alexandroupolis in Greece.
Green hydrogen pipeline interconnection project with Greece underway
The company stressed that it intends to improve gas infrastructure and expand capacity at the Kulata-Sidirokastro (with Greece) and Kardam - Negru Voda (with Romania) interconnections.
Bulgartransgaz plans to develop a hydrogen network in Bulgaria. The first phase of the hydrogen-only transmission infrastructure project - the construction of a 250-kilometer pipeline from Sofia to the Greek border with two compressor stations - has been proposed to the European Union as a common interest project or PCI, according to reports. It is a joint effort with Greece's National Gas Transmission System Operator - DESFA (also known as the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator).
Bulgartransgaz and its Greek partner DESFA proposed the pipeline as an EU project of common interest.
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