President @ World Future Energy Summit

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) A change of the energy and development model with extensive use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) could decisively contribute to combating inequalities and advancing social cohesion at local, regional, national and global level, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias said yesterday (January 18), addressing the 3rd World Future Energy Summit, that opened in Abu Dhabi, UAE (January 18-21).

Papoulias – a keynote speaker at the summit- stressed that “global leaders are obliged to respond to the climate challenge, and, instead of limiting themselves to a ‘least common denominator’ agreement, they should proceed to a global, comprehensive, and legally binding agreement with specific targets and timetables.”
Every crisis entails an opportunity, and this crisis entails an opportunity for the adoption of policies and measures for the promotion of RES and energy efficiency, which can play a decisive role in the global economy’s exit from the crisis and a speedier recovery, the President noted.

Papoulias – Erdogan Meeting

On the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, Papoulias met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Ergodan, who was also a keynote speaker at the summit.
The two leaders held a private 40-minute meeting during which Papoulias informed the Turkish premier that an answer to his letter to the Greek Prime Minister is to be expected in the next few days, while Erdogan expressed a desire to visit Athens in the near future.

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Greece: Solar Energy Systems Capacity Doubles

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The installed capacity of solar energy systems in Greece more than doubled within seven months by July 2009, according to the Renewable Energy Sources Centre,  largely because of legislative initiatives of recent years aimed at boosting the market’s development. The cost of solar panels has fallen over 35% within a year.  By harnessing solar and wind energy, Greece could meet the national target of getting 20% of its energy via renewable energy sources.   Kathimerini daily: Solar MW capacity doubled; Ministry of Development: Energy and Natural Resources; Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Energy Policy of Greece & World Media on Greece – Science and the Environment:Renewable Energy Sources in Greece Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies: The Greek PV Market: New PV law passed in January 2009

Greek the best Environmental Project 2008

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The project GROUNDHIT “Ground Coupled Heat Pumps of High Technology”, coordinated by the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), received the Energy Globe Award – one of the most prestigious international environmental awards as the best environmental project in Greece in 2008.  The project Groundhit aims at improving the cost-effectiveness, competitiveness, and market penetration of ground coupled heat pumps, which are a reliable and environmentally friendly technology that utilises the soil temperature, and provides buildings with efficient heating, cooling and warm water. National Documentation Centre – “Innovation, Research & Technology” Magazine (Jan-Feb 2009)

Greece: Energy Matters

♦ Behaviour Change Programmes
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) is hosting a workshop titled “Energy for a Change: Energy Use and Behavioural Change” in Athens today. This is part of the “Evaluation of Energy Behaviour Change Programmes” project (BEHAVE). Behaviour change is of central importance in bringing about significant reduction in energy end-use. Climate change and concerns for supply security make such a reduction all the more urgent. BEHAVE aims at improving the impact of energy-related behavioural change programmes and projects in the household sector, by learning from recent programmes and projects, and disseminating this knowledge to policy makers and programme-managers.

♦ Dialogue on SE Europe Energy

The Institute of Energy of Southeast Europe (IENE) is organising on June 18 – 19 the “3rd SE Europe Energy Dialogue” conference in Thessaloniki.  With the objective of exchanging information and ideas on facing the energy and environmental challenges of the region, the “3rd Energy Dialogue” will function as a forum for furthering the idea of a South East European energy bridge involving all the countries. The international conference will take place under the aegis of the Development Ministry in collaboration with the World Energy Council. The IENE is a non-profit organization based in Athens whose main task is to provide a platform for independent dialogue and analysis on key energy issues.

Greece: RES – Photovoltaic

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced new incentives for households in order to install more photovoltaic (PV) systems which convert solar radiation into electrical energy.  2009 is designated by the government as year of Renewable Energy Resources and the ultimate goal is to proceed with legislative changes which will secure increased use of RES by cutting red tape and introducing incentives. Greek News Agenda: The Photovoltaic Market

♦ Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced the first steps towards the implementation of the €1.3 billion worth financial support programme which aims at strengthening small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country. The support package is part of the “Competitiveness & Entrepreneurship” (EPAN II) programme set for the time frame 2007-2013.

Greek – Azeri Energy Plans

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, arrived in Greece yesterday – the first Azeri president to officially visit the country – with a delegation of officials from the Azeri state gas company. Aliyev expressed confidence that this trip would inaugurate a new era in bilateral relations, and emphasised the issue of energy security, noting that Azerbaijan had done much to give the rest of the world access to its considerable energy resources. President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias received his counterpart on Monday and held talks on ways to further develop bilateral relations between the two nations. Aliyev also met with Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis and talks focused on the supply to Greece of 1 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year from Azerbaijan, as well as the signing of a four-party state agreement on the Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline. Greek and Azeri officials also signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on renewable energy sources. Greek News Agenda: Greece Turkey Interconnector; Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Energy Policy of Greece ; Centre for Renewable Energy Sources;

Geothermal Energy in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The Ministry of Development supports large scale investments in green power to cover the energy needs of specific islands whose environment favours the implementation of renewables. A current scheme soon to be implemented capitalises on geothermal energy, using the heat in the earth’s interior. The islands included in the project are Milos, Nisyros, Lesbos, Chios, Samothraki and Santorini. Especially in the case of Milos and Nisyros, the steam or geothermal liquid springing from the surface can reach 350 degrees Celsius. Centre for Renewable Energy sources: Geothermal Energy; Ministry of Development: Renewable Sources of Energy (in Greek)

Green Power: Creating ”IRENA”

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Greece signed on Monday the founding treaty for the creation of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the founding conference of which was held in Bonn in January 26. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Greek government by Deputy Development Minister Ioannis Bougas, who highlighted the potential of renewable energy sources to help alleviate social inequality by providing new job opportunities in products and services with high added value. Based on an initiative launched by Germany, IRENA aims at becoming the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale by providing support to both industrial and developing countries in order to improve their regulatory frameworks and to develop renewable energy sources. Kathimerini daily: IRENA aims to boost use of green power Greek News Agenda: The Photovoltaic Market; Ministry of Development: 4th National Report regarding the penetration level of renewable energy sources up to the year 2010

The Greek Photovoltaic Market

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The Hellenic Parliament passed a law which will make photovoltaic (PV) cells more accessible to home owners by providing them with subsidies for PV systems – which convert solar radiation into electrical energy. According to the new legislation, systems of over 10 megawatts will be subject to competition. The Regulatory Authority for Energy is to set rates for granting permits and the state will guarantee the sale prices of kilowatt-hours. Until now, subsidies for these systems did not apply to domestic applications, as only commercial systems were eligible for grants ranging from 20 to 40% – the incentive for these being a tax deduction. The government promised to raise the hurdles that block the growth of renewable energy sources by setting new rules on application approval. In this way, the nation will be able to take advantage of its tremendous solar potential. Greece has about 24 megawatts of solar power installed while the government’s goal is 700 megawatts under the feed-in tariff program. In related news, a new survey by Hellastat SA reveals the growth of Greece’s renewable energy sources sector. The total power production from the industry was 878 MW at the end of 2006 and the average annual growth rate in the period 1990-2006 was 23%. By the end of 2007 the total power production including large hydroelectric projects was 4,060 MW. Source: Athens Plus: Subsidies on the way for home photovoltaic systems (23.1.2009, p.15); Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies: The Greek PV Market: New PV law passed in January 2009 ; Secretariat General of Information – World Media on Greece – Science and the Environment: Renewable Energy Sources in Greece   Additional Information: Centre for Renewable Energy Sources; & Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Energy Policy of Greece  

Energy in Greece 2008

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    The 3^rd International “Energy 2008” fair on renewable energy sources and energy management and saving will take place in Athens from November 20 to 23. With 197 exhibitors, 35 international participants and 10,000 visitors for the year 2007, the fair is considered a leading event in the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) industry. In addition to the exhibition, visitors may access the 1^st International “Photovoltaic 2008” fair on Photovoltaic Systems Technologies which will run in tandem. The energy fair is under the aegis of the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works. Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies: www.helapco.gr  Centre for Renewable Energy Sources: Renewable Energy Sources;  European Commission: Energy- Renewable energies  The Regulatory Authority for Energy-Greece: www.rae.gr

Environment Matters in Greece: First Hydroelectric Power Grid

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)          The island of Ikaria will soon be opting out of the national power grid, as it will become autonomous in terms of energy consumption. The foundation of the first hybrid system in Greece, which will combine hydroelectric and aeolian (wind) modes of energy production, is being laid on October 25. A hydroelectric station will be built that will utilise waterfall from three different levels. The water will begin from an existing dam in the area of Pezi on the island, located at a height of 700 metres. In Pezi, there is a natural plateau. A rain storm is enough to fill up the natural reservoir in the plateau. The water will then be collected in three separate cisterns that will be built, at different levels, thus creating artificial cataracts. These cataracts will produce electric energy, capable of covering 85-90% of the islands requirements. The barrages will each have a capacity of 80,000 cubic metres of water. Deputy Minister of Merchant Marine Panayiotis Kammenos will inaugurate the energy plant tomorrow.  Centre for Renewable Energy Resources: Hydroelectric Energy; Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Environmental Strategic Policies  & Energy Policy; Public Power Corporation: www.dei.gr; Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works: Climate Change; Greek Association of RES (Renewable Energy Sources) Electricity Producers: www.hellas.gr

Green Energy in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Mediterranean Sea comprises many diverse regions – islands, mountain, rural and urban areas – but many of these areas have common environment and development problems, such as the issues of management and development of water and energy resources. The necessity for covering energy needs reliably in urban and rural areas gave rise to the Emergence 2010 project launched under the European Interreg IIIB MEDOCC programme. The objective is “to ensure a reliable and continuous energy supply through decentralized production form Renewable Energy Sources leading to energy solutions with no contribution to greenhouse gases production.” The project partners involve several Mediterranean countries, including the Dodecanese Prefecture and the Center for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) in Greece.  Center for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES): EMERGENCE 2010

Green Energy Technologies in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Delivering a speech on “Climate change and green enterpreneurship”  at the 73rd Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Theodoros Skylakakis referred to the multiple benefits emanating from the enhancement of “the 21st new big industry” called green energy technologies. Greece aspires to acquire competitive advantage in fields such as energy-saving know-how and materials or solar cooling and heating. Furthermore, thriving sectors of the Greek economy such as construction, steel production and consulting can provide ‘fertile ground’ for profitable investments on environment friendly projects. Setting the example, the Secretary General made particular reference to a synergy between Hellenic Aid and United States AID (USAID) on renewable energy investment-tracing programmes and energy saving in buildings for 9 countries from the Energy Community of Southeast Europe. Promotion of renewable energy sources: Center for Renewable Energy Sources; Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece – Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship