On February 12, 2025, Net-Zero Lab and the Association for Production, Storage, and Trading of Electricity (APSTE) officially launched their partnership during a high-level discussion forum on “Flexibility of a Renewable Energy-Dominated Power System: Business Solutions and Academic Partnerships.” Held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sofia, the event gathered leading experts from the energy sector, government administration, and academia to explore innovative solutions for enhancing power system flexibility. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging academic research with business-driven strategies to support the integration of renewable energy.
Figure: Panel discussion
During the discussion, Dr. Maria Trifonova presented key findings from Net-Zero Lab’s recently published report “Flexibility Assessment of the Bulgarian Power Grid: Scaling Variable Renewables for a Resilient Energy System by 2030“. The report provides a comprehensive modeling analysis of Bulgaria’s power system until 2030, focusing on maintaining grid stability amid the increasing share of variable renewable energy
It examines how the system currently operates, the role of reserves and stabilization mechanisms in maintaining electricity frequency, and the integration of flexibility services within smart grids. Additionally, the report explores different types of flexibility, key market stakeholders, and advanced technologies that enhance grid adaptability. Utilizing IRENA’s FlexTool, it assesses Bulgaria’s flexibility potential through data analysis, visualizations, and targeted recommendations. The report concludes with key lessons learned, strategic insights, and policy recommendations to strengthen grid resilience and efficiency.
The event between APSTE and Net-Zero Lab was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Sonia Mileva-Bozhanova, Vice-Rector of Sofia University, who highlighted the commitment of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration to supporting the energy transition in Bulgaria through the training of highly qualified professionals and innovations in education.
During the discussion, Deputy Minister of Energy Iva Petrova emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to developing a regulatory framework that will facilitate the integration of new storage technologies and renewable energy sources into the electricity system.
Nikola Gazdov, Chairman of APSTE, emphasized that energy storage is crucial for the future development of renewable energy sources (RES) and that partnerships between different market participants will be the driving force behind a successful energy transition.
“We are actively working to build bridges between business, government institutions, and academia, because only through coordinated efforts can we ensure a sustainable and balanced energy system,” he stated.
Figure: Nikola Gazdov, Chairman of APSTE
Dimitar Zarchev, Director of Central Dispatching Management (CDM) at ESO, pointed out that the main challenge for the grid operator is balancing the system as the share of variable renewable energy sources (RES) continues to grow. “Energy storage batteries will help, but large-scale deployment takes time. This spring, we anticipate new challenges—forecasts indicate that at certain times of the day, solar energy could reach up to 80% of total production,” he stated.
Figure: Participants at the discussion forum
Stefan Dechkov (Adex Energy) spoke about the integration of artificial intelligence and algorithmic trading in optimizing renewable energy plants, emphasizing Bulgaria’s advancements in digital energy solutions. Petya Dimova (Enery) presented the company’s investment strategy in energy storage, explaining how digitalization in energy trading helps manage market volatility while improving efficiency.
The event concluded with an open discussion, where participants explored future collaborations and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing system flexibility and integrating RES in Bulgaria.
Media publications about the event: