With a number of major studies due for completion over the next few weeks, most important of which is the “ East Med Energy Options”, to be presented in the forthcoming 15th SE Europe Energy Dialogue, the Institute is embarking on a number of new research oriented projects. The objective being the coverage of specific areas of work which merit attention within the broader regional energy agenda.
The most advanced of the above projects is the second phase of the pioneering CCUS applications in Greece study which the Institute completed last year (here). Now, IENE’s research team will be looking into the economics of capturing and storing CO2 as applied in one of the so called CCUS Hubs which, according to the completed study, are going to be needed in different parts of the country for processing and storing CO2 emissions. IENE is now developing a mathematical model for the operation of the hub in which all economic parameters will be fed. The model should be in a position to study various operational scenarios so as to determine the cost of liquifying CO2 and shipping it for permanent storage. A number of major energy companies are supporting IENE in this project as partners including DESFA, HEREMA, Helleniq Energy and Asprofos.
Another important project is the “ Energy Trends” study which has been prepared for the Greek energy market and covers developments in 2023 and the first five months of 2024. The study identifies clear trends in electricity,gas and oil during this 17 month period but also discusses market operation problems (eg. increased trend of RES electricity load offloading from the grid in view of balancing problems). The idea is for this study which covers the Greek market to be published twice yearly (May and October), while a similar one but covering most countries in SEE to be published annually in November. The current study is to be released on May 28.
The financing of green energy transition in SE Europe is another area of work in which the Institute is paying particular attention. Being an approved verifier for the issuing of green debt by UK’s Climate Bond Initiative, IENE keeps track of developments in the broader SEE and East Mediterranean region. In a new study, to be released early in June, the Institute provides an all round picture of the current situation and the prospects which lie ahead for the issuing of Green Bonds in the region.
Last but not least the Institute is pressing ahead with the preparation of the next edition of its flagship publication, the “ SE Europe Energy Outlook” (here). Due for publication in late spring 2025 this report is crammed with useful data,not easily found elsewhere, but also includes energy demand scenarios and investment outlook. Preparation is at an advanced with more than 20 contributing authors having already been commissioned specific segments of work and tasks.
Additional projects on which the IENE research team is currently working on include an assessment and outlook of the Vertical Gas Corridor in view of renewed interest by the region’s gas transmission operators, and a study on the development of major electricity interconnections in the East Mediterranean and the Adriatic and their ability and outlook in transmitting sizeable amounts of so called “green” electricity by the end of this decade but also by 2040.
