Alexandra G. Papadopoulou

Local communities towards a sustainable energy future: needs and priorities

The local authorities demonstrate their willingness to implement sound local sustainable energy policies, especially through their participation in the Covenant of Mayors (CoM). However, in rural environments, namely areas outside of large cities and towns, fulfilling their CoM commitments, especially as regards the local energy planning at the medium- to long-term scale, can come with very different and sometimes challenging constraints. In this context, the main objective of this paper is the assessment of the local communities’ needs and priorities, so as to identify the key parameters that should be taken into consideration during the development of their Sustainable Energy Action Plan. The adopted approach was implemented in rural communities from four countries (Austria, Croatia, Greece and Portugal). From the results obtained, the need for a methodology, appropriately customised to the rural communities’ characteristics, was determined, addressing especially interested stakeholders who are not ‘experts’ in the field.

CMIEM: the computerised model for intelligent energy management

Nowadays, the observed high energy consumption in most of the enterprises and the increased environmental preservation required are a proof that the energy management is essential to be applied in the sectors of final demand. Energy management as a mean for reducing the energy consumption and therefore energy costs, as well as the technical tools that are being used for this effort, is the central topic of this paper. In this framework, the Computerised Model for Intelligent Energy Management (CMIEM) can constitute a powerful technical tool in the hands of the final energy users, because it is a diagnostic mean of required energy consuming equipment, in order to improve the energy efficiency. The CMIEM has the potential of estimating the energy indicators and designing the energy consumption net. The CMIEM has been applied in both industrial units and buildings and the outcomes were really important for energy managers, as they strive towards the rational use of energy.

Building synergies between EU and GCC on energy efficiency

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyse the state of play on energy efficiency with regards to policy, legislation and technological issues in the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Moreover, specific collaboration proposals between the two regions, with respect to the aforementioned, are elaborated on.Design/methodology/approach – The approach of this paper utilizes and integrates the input from a large number of experts through excerpts from extensive international literature, dedicated meetings, bilateral interviews with experts and questionnaires regarding specific proposals for further collaboration.Findings – Collaboration on energy efficiency between the two regions focuses mainly on three directions: policy, technologies and research. Specific collaboration proposals identified relate among others to the establishment of energy agencies and synergies at the policy level, building retrofitting technologies, labels and standards especially for air conditionin...

Foresight of innovative energy technologies through a multi criteria approach

The aim of this paper is the presentation of a participatory and interactive Approach for Foresight of Innovative Energy Technologies (AFIET), based on multi criteria decision analysis. Through this approach, a number of innovative energy technologies are assessed in the Greek energy sector, taking into account economical, environmental, social and technological aspects, and engaging experts and stakeholders from different companies, associations and institutions, in a methodological and consistent way. The results of its application point out the significance of collective interactive approaches, engaging all interested stakeholders, for supporting the discussion of the technological priorities and for guiding the future funding and Research and Development (R&D) efforts.