Post-graduates and lecturers from the Energy Institute at Texas Christian University got acquainted with Bulgartransgaz EAD activities. Кey projects, currently operated by the Bulgarian gas transmission operator, were presented to the American experts.
"Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the partner companies from the USA, the Bulgarian gas transmission operator continues to develop its network, so that the security and diversification of supplies both, to the country and to the region of South-Eastern Europe are guaranteed", emphasized the Еxecutive Director, Vladimir Malinov.
The experts got acquainted on site with the modernization project of Ihtiman compressor station. In 2015 and 2021 two new low-emission turbine compressor units of SOLAR TURBINES were put into operation. The American company is among the leaders in manufacturing gas compressor equipment. The implementation of the project of modernization of the Bulgarian gas transmission network, co-financed under the Connecting Europe Facility, enabled not only to improve the flexibility and reliability of our network, but also to maximize the transmission capacity. By creating technical possibilities for natural gas transport in all directions, coming from various sources and along new routes, the quality and volume of the services offered by Bulgartransgaz EAD increased.
The benefits of the future use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source were also presented to the experts. Bulgartransgaz EAD infrastructure could accept natural gas mixtures with certain amounts of hydrogen and transport them. "Natural gas is the necessary transition fuel on the way to carbon neutrality. It is necessary for the successful realization of hydrogen potential as an energy source and its gradual introduction as an economic alternative", underlined the Executive Director, Vladimir Malinov.
Emphasis was also placed on the project for expansion of the underground gas storage in Chiren, which will guarantee the security of natural gas supplies and contribute to improving competition and access to natural gas from alternative sources. Currently, liquefied natural gas has significant potential, can reach up to 70% of consumption in Europe, taking into account the rapid development of receiving terminals. The high level of connectivity of the Bulgarian gas transmission system with all neighbouring countries ensures the opportunity for supply of significant LNG quantities to the markets in the region.
The representatives of the Energy Institute at Texas Christian University highly appreciated the actions undertaken by Bulgartransgaz to develop the gas transmission network and ensure alternative natural gas supplies.