Following a latest series of devastating fires and floods in SE European countries over the last few weeks and warnings by scientists that extreme weather phenomena may increase in future on account of climate change,the Institute,following a recommendation by its chairman,Mr.Costis Stambolis is going ahead to convene a special working group. This will be an ad hoc group composed of specialists in different fields .e.g electricity and gas networks,energy efficiency,renewables, energy management, telecommunications,flood control and harbour construction.Following a latest series of devastating fires and floods in SE European countries over the last few weeks and warnings by scientists that extreme weather phenomena may increase in future on account of climate change,the Institute,following a recommendation by its chairman,Mr.Costis Stambolis is going ahead to convene a special working group. This will be an ad hoc group composed of specialists in different fields .e.g electricity and gas networks,energy efficiency,renewables, energy management, telecommunications,flood control and harbour construction.
The group will first of all undertake to ascertain damages and threats from latest weather calamities in the region and then proceed in cataloguing in detail the energy infrastructures involved and also assess the degree of their exposure. Initially focusing on Greece the IENE Working Group having first analysed the overall situation and interaction between extreme weather conditions and energy infrastructure vulnerability,will then proceed to chart a strategy for the strengthening and upgrading of energy infrastructure in relation to the broader steps that need to be taken such as fire prevention and anti flood measures.
The overall aim of this latest IENE initiative will be to prepare a comprehensive report with detailed recommendations including a roadmap and fully costed proposals for the work that is required in order to ring fence Greece’s energy system and protect it from extreme weather phenomena. The methodology which will result from this exercise will be made publicly available together with the findings of the project so as to be useful when studying similar situations in other countries in the region.
Details on the staffing and work schedule of the Working Group will be announced in due course once the exact terms of reference and participation in the WP has been approved by the Institute’s Executive Committee. Funding for the WP will come from the Institute’s annual budget but also from donations to be contributed by interested companies and organisations.
