WORK PACKAGES

The planned business strategy includes several work packages aimed at replacing traditional technologies with biological and clean alternatives, transitioning from conventional energy sources to renewables, and introducing innovative mechatronic solutions along with intelligent socio-economic management models.

WP1

CLIMATE SIGNALS AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL STATE FORECASTS and assessment of resulting changes in the potential of unconventional energy sources

The focus of the research is on the application of advanced modeling methods, such as machine and deep learning techniques, which are successfully used to identify dependencies, a challenge to detect with traditional models. Identifying regional climate variations that may mask weak climate signals observed at a broader scale will improve the prediction of extreme hydrometeorological events, reconstruct past changes and provide more reliable assessments of climate scenarios.

WP2

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE, REMOTE AND NON-INVASIVE METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES for studying and modeling biodiversity and food webs of the Black Sea. Cultivation of marine organisms for efficient and sustainable use of natural resources

Using innovative, remote and non-invasive methods, including eDNA of marine organisms, developing food web models in a dynamic environment and validating the accuracy of these models for assessing biodiversity and biological resources. Building reference genetic databases, taxonomic libraries and biodiversity maps is another scientific challenge. Of utmost importance is the development of methods for cultivating demersal and anadromous fish species to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector in the country – improving technological schemes for breeding and farming turbot.

WP3

APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO CONVERSION OF RENEWABLE MARINE ENERGY, technological improvement and greening of maritime and river transport

Application of modern computational and experimental equipment with the aim of continuous expansion into new areas, including marine energy conversion devices, a wide variety of marine industrial facilities and structures, combating harmful emissions, etc. Construction of a new aerodynamic laboratory – a prerequisite for the development and validation of modern methods for numerical and experimental modeling, solving a large number and variety of tasks in the field of marine and civil engineering, and ecology.

WP4

DEVELOPMENT OF PILOT DIGITAL SIMULATION MODELS IN SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABLE SPATIAL PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES in the coastal zones along the Danube River and the Black Sea to achieve the goals of zero pollution and conservation and restoration of biodiversity

Development of pilot digital simulation models for the sustainable spatial planning of ecosystem-based economic activities in small coastal river and marine municipalities in order to improve the management and decision-making capacity of public and private organizations and integrated development of the territory, biodiversity conservation and the development of ecosystem services and business. Identification of threats and risks, creation of three-point scenarios for the assessment of the management of the spatial development of small communities based on indicative ecosystems with variable sensitivity to new types of pressures.

WP5

DEVELOPMENT OF MODELS FOR REVERSIBLE AND PREDICTIVE MANAGEMENT OF POINT AND DIFFUSE POLLUTION RISK (in particular oil spills, dangerous goods, boiler fuel, etc.) in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River and the Black Sea and the risk of flooding and erosion of vulnerable areas of the Black Sea coast

Development of improved methods for assessing pollution risks that can support decision-making and strategies for pollution and eutrophication management. Creation of predictive models for flooding, erosion and other coastal hazards, and creation of emergency response plans and protocols. At the same time, development of integrated coastal management strategies that balance environmental protection with socio-economic development.

WP6

RESEARCH IN SUPPORT OF ENERGY AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PLANNING of ports, their operations and the coastal environment

Study, analysis and assessment of the opportunities for transformation and development of existing facilities and infrastructures of two pre-selected ports (on the Danube River and on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast). Development of strategic guidelines and a conceptual model for the transformation of ports and their infrastructures and facilities according to the latest technologies for decarbonization and digitalization, as well as the development of specific competencies and complex skill sets of port staff and management personnel. Redefining existing professions in ports and developing new career positions in the field of ICT and the blue economy.

WP7

DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL MULTIFUNCTIONAL PLATFORM with a data center and a Center for Digitization and Augmented Reality

Creation of a platform for the integration of all digitized research products of the consortium partners, providing fast, environmentally friendly information management based on digital technologies and access to databases, which will enable the transfer of know-how, planned innovations and collaboration between all stakeholders. The platform will offer functionality as a secure virtual data center for information management and distributed storage and functionality for digitally accessible services in support of the implementation of business and public innovative solutions for the development of the blue economy.

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