Active Participation of CoC HITMOBIL in the National Meeting “From Science to Innovation”
The Centre of Competence HITMOBIL took an active part in the National Meeting “From Science to Innovation”, held on 4 November 2025 in the John Atanasoff Hall at Sofia Tech Park.
The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, the Ministry of Education and Science, research organizations, academia, industry associations, and business representatives to discuss policies and instruments aimed at strengthening the links between scientific research and its economic application.
Participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Nikolov in the Plenary Discussion
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Nikolov, Director of the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems at BAS – the leading organization of the Centre of Competence HITMOBIL, took part in the panel dedicated to the priority area “Mechatronics and Clean Technologies.”
When asked by the moderator of the event – journalist and TV host Dobrina Cheshmedzhieva (BNT) – “What will we drive our cars with from now on?”, Assoc. Prof. Nikolov presented the Centre’s vision for actively and sustainably supporting the transition towards hydrogen-based transport and the development of technologies for energy storage and utilization from renewable sources, including battery and hydrogen systems.
He emphasized that the scientists from CoC HITMOBIL will continue to focus on addressing specific industrial challenges related to the decarbonization of the economy, concluding that: “Scientific results must be visible to society – people need to feel them and recognize them.”
HITMOBIL Exhibition Stand
In the exhibition area of the event, the Centre showcased a stand featuring demonstrations of several developments, including: Pulse Control of Electrolyzers, Efficient Supercapacitors with Improved Electrochemical Characteristics, and a Metal Hydride/Air Battery.
Visitors also had the opportunity to watch a video presentation and explore informational materials presenting the laboratories and work packages within which the R&D activities of Project No. BG16RFPR002-1.014-0009 “Development and Sustainability of the Centre of Competence HITMOBIL” are carried out.
The project is funded by the Programme “Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation” 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. In front of the John Atanasoff Hall, the hydrogen vehicle developed by HITMOBIL’s Integrated Energy Systems Laboratory was also demonstrated.
Programme Highlights
In his opening address, Ivan Popov, Executive Director of the Education Programme Executive Agency, emphasized that the main goal of the meeting was to present opportunities for collaboration between the Centres of Excellence and Competence and the business sector - through the provision of R&D services, technology transfer, and joint projects.
Martin Danovski, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, underlined that “the new dimensions of competitiveness are speed, adaptability of models, and continuous innovation,” and announced that a new National Model for Technology Transfer would become operational in 2026.
In a video address, Andreas von Busch from the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission highlighted the significance of Bulgarian scientific achievements, stating that Bulgaria has a real opportunity to occupy a more visible position in the European innovation landscape, especially in the fields of digitalization, clean technologies, and defense innovation.
Documentary Film Presentation
The meeting also featured the official premiere of the second episode of a BNT documentary film dedicated to the Centres of Excellence and Competence established with the support of the Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth” 2014–2020.
The HITMOBIL Centre of Competence is among the featured centres in the film, which is expected to be broadcast on national television in January 2026.
Organizer
The National Meeting “From Science to Innovation” was organized by the Education Programme Executive Agency – the Intermediate Body managing Priority Areas 1 and 2 under Priority 1 of the Programme “Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation” 2021–2027 (RIDIT).