Search

Over the past decades, the penetration of renewable energy sources is growing at a significant pace on a global scale. In parallel, the utilization of renewables could possibly act as the basis for the transition to a Circular Economy, which aims to reduce the use of finite resources. Compared to other European countries, Greece has achieved a significant share of renewables in its' energy mix and in parallel promotes various policies aiming to accomplish zero-carbon emissions by 2050. An important element of this procedure is the broader acceptance of renewables by the public. This paper investigates this concept by capturing citizens' view on renewable energy sources along with the overall concept of Circular Economy in Greece. By implementing a questionnaire analysis, empirical findings capture the intention of citizens to further develop and invest on renewable energy. Besides, our analysis identifies that as education level increases, the willingness to pay more for renewables and their acceptance from the public increases, as well. Finally, empirical findings indicate that Greek citizens are aware of the concept and the benefits arising from Circular Economy, yet additional efforts need to be addressed for the growth of this concept in Greece. • The study captures citizens' view on RES and Circular Economy in Greece. • Participants are aware and sensitive on environmental and climate change issues. • Participants accepted the existence of RES and are willing to pay additional cost. • As the level of education increased, willingness to pay for RES also increased. • Additional efforts need to be addressed for the growth of Circular Economy in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PHPS is a mature energy storage technology, leading to more efficient energy management and further integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This paper investigates the implementation of such a system at Kastraki, Greece, combined with a second upstream reservoir with a total capacity of 10 hm3 and evaluates its efficiency. The position and the geometric characteristics of the second reservoir are determined with ArcGIS. When excess of energy exists, water is pumped from Kastraki reservoir and stored in the upper one. Otherwise, the stored water is used for energy production. The simulation is performed for 40 years with a monthly time step. Furthermore, another simulation for a typical day in July is conducted, when water and energy needs are increased. The system is evaluated in terms of covering the water supply and energy needs, as well as in terms of efficient energy management. Several results can be obtained, as follows: i) the reliability of the PHPS system for the coverage of monthly water supply and irrigation needs is 82.84 %. ii) The coverage of water supply needs for a typical day in July is 99.99 %. iii) The average monthly coverage of energy needs amounts to 83.86 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PHPS is a mature energy storage technology, leading to more efficient energy management and further integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This paper investigates the implementation of such a system at Kastraki, Greece, combined with a second upstream reservoir with a total capacity of 10 hm3 and evaluates its efficiency. The position and the geometric characteristics of the second reservoir are determined with ArcGIS. When excess of energy exists, water is pumped from Kastraki reservoir and stored in the upper one. Otherwise, the stored water is used for energy production. The simulation is performed for 40 years with a monthly time step. Furthermore, another simulation for a typical day in July is conducted, when water and energy needs are increased. The system is evaluated in terms of covering the water supply and energy needs, as well as in terms of efficient energy management. Several results can be obtained, as follows: i) the reliability of the PHPS system for the coverage of monthly water supply and irrigation needs is 82.84 %. ii) The coverage of water supply needs for a typical day in July is 99.99 %. iii) The average monthly coverage of energy needs amounts to 83.86 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union targets for 27% renewable energy share by 2030. At the same time, all new buildings should be nearly zero energy buildings from 2020 onwards. A major obstacle to these objectives is a combination of current economic stagnation and limited investors' confidence, which leads to low investment proportion. Despite many renewable energy technologies are already at a competitive level, the implementation rate in buildings is still low. In this paper, we focus on advances in efficient mechanisms to overcome non-technical barriers to the increase of renewable energy applications in buildings, such as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). Tertiary sector holds a huge untapped potential for such applications, especially in Southern Europe. The Trust-EPC-South European initiative, implemented in six southern EU countries with a mix of beginner and intermediate energy service markets, aims at encouraging the financing of sustainable energy solutions in the tertiary sector, by creating a framework for standardization, assessment and benchmarking, thus improving trust and confidence in the financing parties. This paper presents three case studies in Greece, a Mediterranean family resort hotel, a resort and spa hotel and an office building. The installation of renewable energy measures, including photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems and heat pumps, was examined and their EPC potential was rated, by using the described standardization and benchmarking methodology. Their economic savings range from 3 to 23% on yearly energy costs, at a discounted payback of 3–6 years, depending on the measure. A sensitivity analysis shows the impact of the variation of technical and economic parameters on the EPC projects feasibility. The standardization practice applied is expected to support the project actors in securing appropriate financing and eventually proceed with the renewable energy installations through the EPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper reflects on the challenges faced by European islands with regards to electricity supply, focusing on an island area of major interest, i.e. the Aegean Sea region. In this context, the main problems related to the use of imported oil and the associated high electricity production costs are discussed, together with the prospects of increased exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). For the latter accomplishment, the main elements of an integrated energy solution are presented, comprising mature RES technologies and more novel aspects, corresponding to energy storage, Demand Side Management and intelligent Energy Management on the basis of advanced forecasting techniques. Moreover, insight and preliminary operational evidence are provided with regards to the application of such an integrated solution on the island of Tilos, in Greece, where the development and test-operation of a pilot smart microgrid and Hybrid Power Station were recently completed, in the context of the TILOS Horizon 2020 Program. • A short review of the electricity production status in Aegean islands is undertaken. • Challenges and prospects of RES in the Aegean islands' region are discussed. • We present novel elements that can support increased RES shares for Aegean islands. • We focus on the development and pilot operation of Tilos island smart microgrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses monthly data from Aug. 2004 to Feb. 2014 and employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds test approach to study the short and long-run relationship of renewable and non-renewable electricity with economic growth in Greece. Dummies reveal most of the major energy policy adaptations taking place in Greece to overcome the economic crisis and reach stipulated renewable energy targets. Results show that in the short-run, fossil sources play the baseload role in electricity production and there is a clear substitution effect between sources, while in the long-run, fossil sources contribute to the development of renewable energy sources as backup energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper deals with the feasibility of RES-based systems for electricity supply in four different Greek Islands. Three specific typical loads were selected to be covered, where the grid connection was considered as optional. An optimization procedure in terms of energy efficiency and economical feasibility has also been applied, using the HOMER software for the energy part and a hand-made calculation procedure for the financial aspects. It is found that an off-grid project is not economically feasible and the grid connection is necessary only for the sale of excess electricity (not as a backup source). Finally, the relationship between environmental potential and produced energy is found to be linear, with almost constant behaviour for solar systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The utilisation of renewable energy sources, and wind energy in particular, can be described in Greece as a story of high expectations, intense initial entrepreneurial interest, delays in the start-up phase of projects and, some times, disappointments during the implementation procedure. Still, the current situation gives reasons for some optimism. This paper provides a review of the present technological background in wind generators, as found in the Greek market, as well as a detailed analysis of the legislative framework. Moreover, it aims to analyse the development of the process of granting investment and production permissions and their implementation since 1999. Thus, it is possible to identify the main reasons for the problems that occurred since the liberalisation of the electricity market and to account for the interest in wind energy. Finally, comments and proposals are formulated concerning the hidden barriers, the pertinent problems and the promising perspectives of the use of wind energy in Greece. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]