The Bulgarian energy sector faces a number of challenges: high energy intensiveness of the gross national product; strong dependence on energy supplies from a single supplier (Russian Federation); structural economic reforms insufficiently coordinated with national interests, lack of adequate consideration of the complex interactions energy – economy – technologies – environment – society – security – climate – globalization - Internet of things; considerable share of grey economy; sufficient availability of local, but strongly polluting energy lignite sources; limited water sources; sufficient solar and wind primary energy, a considerable share of which is absorbed at long-term set “preferential” prices; low solvency of consumers and wide spread energy poverty; high share of electricity in the end energy consumption; high share of electricity generation with obligation for purchase contracts; insufficient regulation range of the electricity generation etc. At the same time for a number of years now, the world has embarked on a “grand transition” in the field of energy use, defined as the transition to a world with less population and work force increase, dramatically new technologies, greater environmental protection obligations and shift of the economic and geopolitical force to other countries/states.
The objective of the project is fundamental research that will establish the basics of a Methodology and toolbox (regulation of the organization, forces and resources, including mathematical models and information exchanges) for strategic planning of the energy sector development, in order to meet identified challenges.
The elaborated Scientific Methodology will answer the following questions:
1. What are the influencing factors on the development of the energy sector in Bulgaria?
2. What are the constraints for long-term energy plans?
3. Who should be involved in the strategic energy development planning process and what are their roles?
4. What should be the information exchange system that supports the strategic planning?
5. What should be the organization and coordination of activities for planning, monitoring, analyzing, evaluating and updating of the strategic development?
6. What resources are necessary for the planning process and how to secure them?
The expected contributions are related to improvements of known strategic planning models in the energy sector, improving the algorithms for their solution, introducing new factors and reflecting additional dependences, proposing approaches for modeling of newly occurred energy conversion technologies, etc.
The results will be provided to state and municipal administrations to help in elaboration of strategies on national and regional development, as well as to large energy companies and public organizations.