INSTITUTE OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND ENERGY SYSTEMS

Their core work

IEES is a Bulgarian research institute under the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, specializing in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. Their work spans zinc-air battery development, solid oxide cell (SOC) durability testing, and hydrogen/fuel cell technology training. They bring deep materials science and electrochemistry expertise to EU consortia focused on next-generation battery and fuel cell systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IEES began their H2020 participation with work on advanced battery technologies (zinc-air batteries in the ZAS project, 2015-2018), then shifted toward hydrogen and fuel cell systems. Their most recent project (AD ASTRA, 2019-2022) focuses specifically on solid oxide cell degradation and lifetime prediction — a more specialized and durability-focused direction compared to their earlier materials development work.

IEES is moving from broad electrochemical materials work toward specialized durability testing and lifetime prediction for solid oxide cells — a growing concern as these technologies approach commercialization.

How they like to work

IEES operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator, suggesting they contribute specialized electrochemistry expertise rather than leading large project management efforts. With 25 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they work in medium-to-large consortia and appear open to diverse partnerships. This profile is typical of a reliable specialist contributor that larger coordinators bring in for targeted electrochemical testing and analysis.

IEES has built a network of 25 partners across 9 countries through 3 projects, indicating participation in well-connected European consortia. Their network spans multiple EU member states, though as a Bulgarian institute their partnerships likely center on Western and Central European research groups.

What sets them apart

IEES offers a relatively rare combination of electrochemical expertise from a Bulgarian Academy of Sciences institute — meaning strong fundamental science capabilities at competitive cost compared to Western European counterparts. Their recent pivot into SOC degradation testing positions them at the intersection of materials science and reliability engineering, a niche that is increasingly critical as fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies move toward market deployment.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ZAS
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 442,750), tackling zinc-air batteries — a promising but challenging post-lithium storage technology.
• AD ASTRA
  Most recent and technically focused project, addressing the critical bottleneck of SOC durability through accelerated stress testing methods.