The Department of "National and Regional Security" in connection with the activities of the National Scientific Program "Security and Defense" organizes the thematic seminar "Energy security in the modern security environment in the Republic of Bulgaria".

Within the framework of the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between UNWE and "Bulgarian Energy Holding" .

The document was signed by the rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and the executive director of Bulgarian Energy Holding Ivan Andreev.

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov opened the event and emphasized that the National Science Program "Security and Defense" is unique, for the first time in our country there is such a program among universities that operate in the field of defense and security. "A lot of work was done within the program activities, events were organized and held presenting the strategic tasks and individual work packages and the level was very high. The program also envisages joint work with business, and this event is a step in that direction. The state-owned Bulgarian energy companies are part of the strategic objects of national security, and joint work with them within both the National Scientific Program "Security and Defense" and within the scope of the work of the Department "National and Regional Security" will provide added value for the energy security and the critical infrastructure of the country", pointed out Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.

"This forum is extremely important for us because its topic is part of the overall concept of nuclear safety and energy security. We need to focus not only on the technical aspects, but also on the philosophy of this field and its future development, so that our staff and future students are well informed and familiar with all the features and requirements. We must continue to work together for the development of energy security and nuclear safety," Ivan Andreev pointed out.

Within the scope of the agreement, the two sides agreed on the expansion of training opportunities, the conduct of scientific research, pre-project studies and project activity, the promotion and implementation of scientific, technical and professional achievements. The purpose of the agreement is to increase the effectiveness of educational, research and development activities in the field of energy. The possibility of a new master's program in energy security was also discussed during the event.

"Thank you to Mr. Ivan Andreev and his team, that together with Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, we developed this memorandum, which I hope will lay the foundations for a long-term cooperation and will be beneficial for both parties, be it short-term or long-term trainings, or the other option is work on a project for small modular reactors", said the moderator of the event Assoc. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov, who is the director of the Center for Nuclear Security Support of the UNWE and a lecturer in the Department of "National and Regional Security" .

The head of the "National and Regional Security" department and coordinator of the National Scientific Program "Security and Defense" for the UNWE Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov introduced the attendees to the National Scientific Program "Security and Defense" and emphasized that UNWE is a beneficiary of the Program, which is implemented in partnership with the Defense Institute "Prof. Tsvetan Lazarov", the University of Library Science and Information Technologies, the Military Academy "G. S. Rakovski", the Center for National Security and Defense Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Higher Naval School "N. Y. Vaptsarov", the National Military University "Vasil Levski" and the Higher Air Force School "G. Benkovski". Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov added that the implementation of the Program will lead to an increase in publication activity, creation of modern models for management and functioning, development of active relationships between scientific organizations and state higher education institutions in the country, inclusion in partner scientific networks of abroad, creating prototypes of tools and environments for more secure virtual communication, as well as improving the interaction between research and development units and business.

Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov presented the international master's program "Nuclear Security" and pointed out that the program, which was launched in 2015, is the only one in the world that was created in accordance with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) .

Within the framework of the program, the executive director of the "Electricity System Operator" (ESO) Angelin Tsachev introduced the participants to the investments and development of the electricity transmission infrastructure and inter-system connectivity for maximum utilization of the growing share of electricity produced by renewable energy sources, and the challenges facing the management of the electricity system in the conditions of a liberalized and unified electricity market. He also focused on the prospects and opportunities for the development of hydrogen technologies in support of the effective utilization of electricity production from renewable energy sources.

Dr. Ivan Hinovski, an expert at the "Projects" Directorate of "Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Kozloduy - New Capacities" gave a presentation on the topic "Contribution of NPP to the stability of the energy system in the context of the Green Deal".

The executive director of "National Electric Company" (NEK) eng. Martin Georgiev examined the role of hydropower in the energy transition.

Alexander Mihailov, executive director of "National Energy Operator" (NEO), presented the types of technologies and importance of electricity storage facilities.

Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, vice-rector for institutional and business cooperation and student policies of UNWE, was also present at the event.

The workshop ended with a fruitful discussion.