On October 11, 2026, ECOLOOP project featured prominently in the on-site workshop “Green Albena – Circular Economy, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Agriculture in Action” in Albena, Bulgaria. Co-organized by the National Association of the Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) and Albena AD, the event brought together 30 participants—including policy makers, industry leaders, and media representatives—to explore operational solutions combining renewable energy integration and circular resource management.
The program opened with a practical site tour led by experts from Albena AD and Perpetuum Mobile BG AD at the Perpetuum Mobile biogas plant. Participants tracked the complete waste-to-energy cycle introduced during the 2026 tourist season, including:
- Five-fraction separate waste collection (paper, glass, plastic, metal, and biowaste) across hotels, restaurants, and administrative facilities.
- An integrated waste control and tracking system, alongside internal monitoring mechanisms.
- On-site biogas and biomethane production, converting biowaste into clean renewable energy and nutrient-rich organic fertilizer.
Following the biogas plant visit, delegates toured intelligent agrovoltaic (Agri-PV) greenhouses, observing the dual-use integration of solar power generation with agricultural production. The demonstration highlighted:
- Innovative agrovoltaic technologies for energy-efficient food production.
- Automated systems for managing microclimate, irrigation, and energy consumption.
- Replicable models for municipalities and agricultural enterprises.
Thematic Discussion & ECOLOOP Best Practices
The event concluded at the Albena Winery with a thematic session bridging science, policy, and industry. Project partners Albena AD (ALB) and Trakia University (TRU) presented key demonstration results and good practices for closing energy and resource loops. And the Assoc. Prof. Dr. Konstantin Stoyanov (Trakia University) presented European models, cooperative business structures, and practical guidelines for establishing municipal and rural energy communities.
The session sparked high interest among municipal decision-makers regarding the replication of ECOLOOP good practices. For more information, visit the official event page.